The Shutdown 2
This is a continuation of the topic The Shutdown.
Talk Pro and Con
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1margd
Nancy Pelosi @TeamPelosi | 7:01 PM - 22 Jan 2019:
Understand this: if Trump gets away with shutting down the government to get what he wants, he will do this again going forward. He *will* continue to hold workers hostage to his demands. -NP
Understand this: if Trump gets away with shutting down the government to get what he wants, he will do this again going forward. He *will* continue to hold workers hostage to his demands. -NP
32wonderY
From the non-profit Housing Assistance Council
CLARIFICATION and shutdown update: January Rental Assistance payments will be made
Glad I found the site. I hope to point USDA rental housing borrowers there for reassurances. Some of these owners are Mom & Pop operations and not linked in automatically to the larger industry.
Ignore full-rent letter, Newport tenants told; 2nd notice says shutdown “not your fault”
Relief Comes For Low-Income Tenants Threatened With Rent Hike Due To Shutdown
“On most rental agreements it doesn’t give them the ability to do that (charge tenants full rent),” Meadows said, echoing a common sentiment among the lawmakers HuffPost has interviewed.
But housing subsidy recipients do not have ironclad protection, according to a legal analysis the National Housing Law Project released Friday. While HUD’s regulation for landlords with Section 8 vouchers does not allow rent hikes or evictions if the government stops paying its share, it does allow them to evict tenants for “business or economic reasons,” such as wanting to lease an apartment for higher rent.
And there are no clear protections for tenants with USDA rental assistance. “What owners may do in the event of a government shutdown is not set out in USDA rental assistance regulations,” according to the analysis.
CLARIFICATION and shutdown update: January Rental Assistance payments will be made
Glad I found the site. I hope to point USDA rental housing borrowers there for reassurances. Some of these owners are Mom & Pop operations and not linked in automatically to the larger industry.
Ignore full-rent letter, Newport tenants told; 2nd notice says shutdown “not your fault”
Relief Comes For Low-Income Tenants Threatened With Rent Hike Due To Shutdown
“On most rental agreements it doesn’t give them the ability to do that (charge tenants full rent),” Meadows said, echoing a common sentiment among the lawmakers HuffPost has interviewed.
But housing subsidy recipients do not have ironclad protection, according to a legal analysis the National Housing Law Project released Friday. While HUD’s regulation for landlords with Section 8 vouchers does not allow rent hikes or evictions if the government stops paying its share, it does allow them to evict tenants for “business or economic reasons,” such as wanting to lease an apartment for higher rent.
And there are no clear protections for tenants with USDA rental assistance. “What owners may do in the event of a government shutdown is not set out in USDA rental assistance regulations,” according to the analysis.
4margd
White House seeks list of programs that would be hurt if shutdown lasts into March
Damian Paletta and Juliet Eilperin | January 23 at 4:59 PM
White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has pressed agency leaders to provide him with a list of the highest-impact programs that will be jeopardized if the shutdown continues into March and April, people familiar with the directive said.
Mulvaney wants the list no later than Friday, these people said, and it’s the firmest evidence to date that the White House is preparing for a lengthy funding lapse that could have snowballing consequences for the economy and government services.
...the impact is expected to become exponentially broader in the coming weeks. The federal court system is likely to halt major operations after February 1, and the Department of Agriculture does not have funding to pay food stamp benefits in March to roughly 40 million people.
...Some (federal) workers have balked at continuing without being paid, and their unions are filing legal action against the administration.
...The U.S. General Services Administration, an agency that manages many of the government’s leases and contracts, notified a number of departments that it doesn’t have a plan for how it can pay utility and lease payments in February if the shutdown persists....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white-house-seeks-list-of-progra...
Eric Blake @EricBlake12 (National Hurricane Center) https://twitter.com/EricBlake12 | 3:52 PM - 23 Jan 2019:
Are you freaking kidding me- March??? This would sacrifice the whole offseason hurricane preparedness program for our country and decimate our
hurricane modeling. This is no joke- no question this shutdown is making our country less prepared for the 2019 season and beyond.
Damian Paletta and Juliet Eilperin | January 23 at 4:59 PM
White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has pressed agency leaders to provide him with a list of the highest-impact programs that will be jeopardized if the shutdown continues into March and April, people familiar with the directive said.
Mulvaney wants the list no later than Friday, these people said, and it’s the firmest evidence to date that the White House is preparing for a lengthy funding lapse that could have snowballing consequences for the economy and government services.
...the impact is expected to become exponentially broader in the coming weeks. The federal court system is likely to halt major operations after February 1, and the Department of Agriculture does not have funding to pay food stamp benefits in March to roughly 40 million people.
...Some (federal) workers have balked at continuing without being paid, and their unions are filing legal action against the administration.
...The U.S. General Services Administration, an agency that manages many of the government’s leases and contracts, notified a number of departments that it doesn’t have a plan for how it can pay utility and lease payments in February if the shutdown persists....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white-house-seeks-list-of-progra...
Eric Blake @EricBlake12 (National Hurricane Center) https://twitter.com/EricBlake12 | 3:52 PM - 23 Jan 2019:
Are you freaking kidding me- March??? This would sacrifice the whole offseason hurricane preparedness program for our country and decimate our
hurricane modeling. This is no joke- no question this shutdown is making our country less prepared for the 2019 season and beyond.
5proximity1
>4 margd:
"This would sacrifice the whole offseason hurricane preparedness program for our country and decimate our hurricane modeling. "
This is typical of the wildly-exaggerated bullshit trafficked by people like "margd."
In fact, the linked "Twitter" comment even displays this image,
Notice that the image reads, in part,
"NOAA.gov and specific NOAA websites necessary to protect lives and property are operational and will be maintained during this partial closure of the U.S. government."
In addition, the hurricane-preparedness program is a widely-varied set of activities.
So, when this over-blown hype's author goes on, panicked, to allege,
"You can add losing both the Gulf Coast and Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tours. No Interdepartmental or National Hurricane Conference or any FEMA courses, even for a day. Training our WMO and NWS partners- gone. There is a 100% chance it will hurt hurricane readiness"
he's referring to travelling-events such as these:
which have gone on, year in, year out, in the same circuit of towns and cities concerned, for years.
Say, here's an idea you may not have considered, if, that is, you're a complete moron:
If you're new to Beaumont, or McAllen, Tx., Shreveport, New Orleans or Baton Rouge, La. or Moblie, Al. or Gulfport and Biloxi, Ms., and you've never experienced severe tropical storms, then I suggest you try using your head and go ask your neighbors for advice on preparedness and a list of the things you should keep in stock at home for use in periods of severe weather.
"This would sacrifice the whole offseason hurricane preparedness program for our country and decimate our hurricane modeling. "
This is typical of the wildly-exaggerated bullshit trafficked by people like "margd."
In fact, the linked "Twitter" comment even displays this image,
Notice that the image reads, in part,
"NOAA.gov and specific NOAA websites necessary to protect lives and property are operational and will be maintained during this partial closure of the U.S. government."
In addition, the hurricane-preparedness program is a widely-varied set of activities.
So, when this over-blown hype's author goes on, panicked, to allege,
"You can add losing both the Gulf Coast and Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tours. No Interdepartmental or National Hurricane Conference or any FEMA courses, even for a day. Training our WMO and NWS partners- gone. There is a 100% chance it will hurt hurricane readiness"
he's referring to travelling-events such as these:
"Severe Weather Awareness Week(s)"
"Tornado Drills"
"Flood Safety Awareness Week(s)"
"Severe Weather Awareness Week(s)"
"Safe Boating/Beach Safety Awareness Week(s)"
"Lightning Safety Awareness Week(s)"
"Hurricane Safety Awareness Week(s)"
"Winter Weather Awareness Week(s)"
which have gone on, year in, year out, in the same circuit of towns and cities concerned, for years.
Say, here's an idea you may not have considered, if, that is, you're a complete moron:
If you're new to Beaumont, or McAllen, Tx., Shreveport, New Orleans or Baton Rouge, La. or Moblie, Al. or Gulfport and Biloxi, Ms., and you've never experienced severe tropical storms, then I suggest you try using your head and go ask your neighbors for advice on preparedness and a list of the things you should keep in stock at home for use in periods of severe weather.
62wonderY
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Says Federal Workers Should Take Loans During Shutdown
Mr. In-Tune: “The obligations that they would undertake — say borrowing from a bank or credit union — are in effect federally guaranteed,” Mr. Ross told CNBC on Thursday morning. “So the 30 days of pay that people will be out — there’s no real reason why they shouldn’t be able to get a loan against it, and we’ve seen a number of ads from the financial institutions doing that.”
Nancy Pelosi: “Is this a ‘let them eat cake’ kind of attitude, or 'call your father for money'?”
Mr. In-Tune: “The obligations that they would undertake — say borrowing from a bank or credit union — are in effect federally guaranteed,” Mr. Ross told CNBC on Thursday morning. “So the 30 days of pay that people will be out — there’s no real reason why they shouldn’t be able to get a loan against it, and we’ve seen a number of ads from the financial institutions doing that.”
Nancy Pelosi: “Is this a ‘let them eat cake’ kind of attitude, or 'call your father for money'?”
7margd
NOAA's Great Lakes ice websites are down. (I only noticed when I needed the data for a risk assessment of a new species proposed for culture.)
Shipping closes end of January, and ships, lock operators, etc. will be be needing ice info--as do dam operators and others trying to avoid ice jams.
Bet ice-trend data for 2018/2019 will forever bear a shutdown asterisk...
Such malfeasance in stewardship of taxpayer money would not be tolerated by private sector.
ETA______________________________________________________
Government shutdown delays, disrupts environmental studies
JOHN FLESHER and TAMMY WEBBE | Jan 24, 2019
...The impasse has delayed, disrupted and now threatens to derail environmental research projects across the nation — and not just those conducted by government agencies.
Scientists with universities, nonprofit organizations and private companies say their inability to collaborate with federal partners, gain access to federal lands and laboratories, and secure federal funding is jeopardizing their work on a vast array of subjects, including invasive and endangered species and air and water quality.
Researchers might miss court-ordered deadlines for reports involving endangered plants or animals. Warm-weather field studies that must be planned months in advance could be delayed or canceled. And studies that rely on strict monitoring or testing schedules could be compromised.
Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, the damage could range from inconvenient to irreparable...
https://www.apnews.com/e1a3f2308cf148a6ad9fb3312d910e15
Shipping closes end of January, and ships, lock operators, etc. will be be needing ice info--as do dam operators and others trying to avoid ice jams.
Bet ice-trend data for 2018/2019 will forever bear a shutdown asterisk...
Such malfeasance in stewardship of taxpayer money would not be tolerated by private sector.
ETA______________________________________________________
Government shutdown delays, disrupts environmental studies
JOHN FLESHER and TAMMY WEBBE | Jan 24, 2019
...The impasse has delayed, disrupted and now threatens to derail environmental research projects across the nation — and not just those conducted by government agencies.
Scientists with universities, nonprofit organizations and private companies say their inability to collaborate with federal partners, gain access to federal lands and laboratories, and secure federal funding is jeopardizing their work on a vast array of subjects, including invasive and endangered species and air and water quality.
Researchers might miss court-ordered deadlines for reports involving endangered plants or animals. Warm-weather field studies that must be planned months in advance could be delayed or canceled. And studies that rely on strict monitoring or testing schedules could be compromised.
Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, the damage could range from inconvenient to irreparable...
https://www.apnews.com/e1a3f2308cf148a6ad9fb3312d910e15
8margd
Just read that FBI worked with RCMP to arrest a couple of people on the Canadian side (national security, so no details yet--except no threat to public).
FBI folks are working (traveling?) without compensation. I'm sure their Canadian counterparts slipped them a donut or two, but sheesh!
Border emergency indeed...
FBI folks are working (traveling?) without compensation. I'm sure their Canadian counterparts slipped them a donut or two, but sheesh!
Border emergency indeed...
9margd
Flights delayed at major Northeast US airports (Newark, because of staffing, FAA says
Ray Sanchez | January 25, 2019
Air traffic is delayed at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Philadelphia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to staffing issues at a Federal Aviation Administration regional air traffic control center...
Flights into the three major airports are delayed Friday morning by an average of 41 minutes...
Departing flights from Philadelphia and Newark are delayed between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes, and LaGuardia departures delayed between 15 and 30 minutes...
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/25/us/air-traffic-controller-shortage-faa/index.html
Ray Sanchez | January 25, 2019
Air traffic is delayed at LaGuardia Airport in New York, Philadelphia International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey due to staffing issues at a Federal Aviation Administration regional air traffic control center...
Flights into the three major airports are delayed Friday morning by an average of 41 minutes...
Departing flights from Philadelphia and Newark are delayed between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes, and LaGuardia departures delayed between 15 and 30 minutes...
https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/25/us/air-traffic-controller-shortage-faa/index.html
102wonderY
Due to the current political situation, the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off until further notice.
11proximity1
>7 margd:
SO, try going here: the U.S. National Ice Center / Naval Ice Center --just as the temporarily unavailable data-set page's information directs you to do in this interim:
Plug in the dates which concern you and select either an East section or a West section composite Map of the Great Lakes region and click on "submit"
Start date:
End date:
Area:
Category: (for "Category" choose from the following,
Annotated Imagery
Charts,
Concentration
Daily Ice Concentrarion
Forecasts
Ice Analysis Grid
Seasonal Outlook
Seasonal Summary
USCG Disctrict 9 Support
finally, select East or West view/orientation.
Formats: Composite East Composite West
and click on "submit"
and you can get, e.g. a graphic such as the following:
Or you could keep trying lamely to invent a great dramatic crisis where there isn't one--just to serve your selfish bigoted political agendas.
12lriley
#11--Not sure how someone being anti-Trump exactly turns them into a bigot. I think generally people look at bigotry as something targeting groups of people on the basis of their race, gender, gender preferences blah, blah, blah. Trump is a bit overweight but that doesn't make him a group.
13mamzel
If you include Ivanka, Jared, Donald Jr. and all the Senior Advisers, would that constitute a group on the basis of entitlement?
14theoria
Pelosi wins by knockout. The bloodied CLOTUS is reduced to making threats no one believes in.
15DugsBooks
>14 theoria: A Pyrrhic victory at best. It sounded like Trump was emphasizing tech walls during a subsequent speech I saw, laying groundwork for a future permanent shutdown ending agreement?
Irony of course that the shutdown probably created more security compromises than the “porous” southern border ever did.
Irony of course that the shutdown probably created more security compromises than the “porous” southern border ever did.
16lriley
Lou Dobbs, Ann Coulter and Rush Limburger have all lost the thread. Complaining about promises made on the campaign trail but not kept. Back in those glorious campaigning days the Donald never mentioned Pelosi's or Schumer's name one single time when talking about how his wall was going to be paid for--and why would we have?--they were both the ranking members of the minority party in both chambers of Congress at the time. His party were the majority party in both houses---but even they weren't going to be asked for the monies needed to pay for his fantasy land project---it was the Mexican Govt. that was going to pay for it. So why he expects Pelosi and/or Schumer to help or even negotiate with him on said project is beyond me. His promise was specific and they never had a part in his promise--or not until about a month and a half ago. Trump's promise was always--we're going to have his wall and the Mexicans were going to pay for it. Anything less is a broken promise and Coulter and Dobbs are not such idiots (not like Limburger anyway) that they could have forgotten details such as that. So why the need for a shutdown or the need to bargain with Pelosi? There was never a need for his shutdown and he shouldn't be bargaining with Pelosi and what Donald really needs to do is to get cracking on negotiating with the Mexican govt. and making them pay for it.
17margd
Nice to see that more than 6,000 donors collected almost $500,000 for struggling furloughed workers:
Government Shutdown Direct Relief Fund (https://www.gofundme.com)
...two rounds of grants were issued to each of our partner nonprofits providing essential resources to those in need:
- World Central Kitchen
- National Diaper Bank Network
- Feeding America
- Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA)
(I assume the last one means that some of the fed workers' children can continue on with their studies. :-)
Government Shutdown Direct Relief Fund (https://www.gofundme.com)
...two rounds of grants were issued to each of our partner nonprofits providing essential resources to those in need:
- World Central Kitchen
- National Diaper Bank Network
- Feeding America
- Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA)
(I assume the last one means that some of the fed workers' children can continue on with their studies. :-)
18proximity1 
This message has been flagged by multiple users and is no longer displayed (show)
>17 margd:
"I assume the last one means that some of the fed workers' children can continue on with their studies."
Sure -- and the National Diaper Bank Network means that you can "continue on" with yours.
19margd
Will the 35-day shutdown lead to privatizing government functions?
Jamiles Lartey | Sun 27 Jan 2019
For one ideological constituency, the government shutdown may hold the seeds to privatizing functions such as air traffic control and airport security...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/27/shutdown-government-functions-wi...
Jamiles Lartey | Sun 27 Jan 2019
For one ideological constituency, the government shutdown may hold the seeds to privatizing functions such as air traffic control and airport security...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/27/shutdown-government-functions-wi...
202wonderY
IRS returns to work with 5 million pieces of unopened mail waiting
The federal watchdog National Taxpayer Advocate determined it could take the IRS at least a year to get back to normal after five million pieces of mail went unopened during the shutdown, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
The federal watchdog National Taxpayer Advocate determined it could take the IRS at least a year to get back to normal after five million pieces of mail went unopened during the shutdown, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.
21RickHarsch
Please behold the elegance of #18.
222wonderY
>21 RickHarsch: How did you know I have someone on ignore? Thanks.
23RickHarsch
>22 2wonderY: That's hilarious. I know prolixity has me on ignore, but I also assume that when people put me on ignore and refer to it vociferously and more than once they sneak looks. I of course didn't know you had that person on ignore, but on the other hand, it's safe to assume many people do--so if you would have asked 'Guess who I have on ignore', he is one of three I would have guessed. It's also safe to assume that few sneak a look at that guy, as they know what they are going to get. I never put anyone on ignore, preferring to ignore by scrolling, which allows me to notice when such a person gets ugly with others or in some other way is unintentionally entertaining. The only problem with putting such a person on ignore is that they often deserve more flags than they get.
I don't think of myself as qualified to patrol threads, nor do I assume that anyone here needs help, but I find it personally necessary to leap in when someone as informative and generously inclined as Margd gets a ration of crap she doesn't deserve.
I don't think of myself as qualified to patrol threads, nor do I assume that anyone here needs help, but I find it personally necessary to leap in when someone as informative and generously inclined as Margd gets a ration of crap she doesn't deserve.
24John5918
>23 RickHarsch: I find it personally necessary to leap in when someone as informative and generously inclined as Margd gets a ration of crap she doesn't deserve
Thanks, Rick, and well said.
Thanks, Rick, and well said.
25margd
(Like)
Government shutdown cost U.S. economy $11 billion in the short run, CBO estimates
Published: Jan 28, 2019 11:18 a.m. ET
The partial government shutdown subtracted about $11 billion in growth from the economy, a congressional agency found, a downgrade that could potentially keep the U.S. from achieving 3% GDP in 2018 for the first time in 13 years.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 35-day shutdown that began Dec. 22 lopped 0.1 percentage points ($3 billion) off gross domestic product in the 2018 fourth quarter and 0.2 percentage points ($8 billion) in the first quarter of 2019...
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/government-shutdown-cost-us-economy-11-billion...
Government shutdown cost U.S. economy $11 billion in the short run, CBO estimates
Published: Jan 28, 2019 11:18 a.m. ET
The partial government shutdown subtracted about $11 billion in growth from the economy, a congressional agency found, a downgrade that could potentially keep the U.S. from achieving 3% GDP in 2018 for the first time in 13 years.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 35-day shutdown that began Dec. 22 lopped 0.1 percentage points ($3 billion) off gross domestic product in the 2018 fourth quarter and 0.2 percentage points ($8 billion) in the first quarter of 2019...
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/government-shutdown-cost-us-economy-11-billion...
26bnielsen
>23 RickHarsch: and >24 John5918:. Yes, well said!
>25 margd: My guess is that it might have long term effects as many of those hurt by the shutdown will think twice about spending versus saving for the next shutdown.
>25 margd: My guess is that it might have long term effects as many of those hurt by the shutdown will think twice about spending versus saving for the next shutdown.
27margd
Special Counsel Transparency Act (Bipartisan co-sponsorship--Sen. Grassley and Blumenthal).
Sen. Blumenthal on Donald Trump, Jr's truthfulness or lack thereof...
Maddow Blog @MaddowBlog | 7:59 PM - 28 Jan 2019
Sen. Blumenthal: "...behind closed doors, there arose in my mind, very clearly, questions, serious issues, concerning their truthfulness. And that issue pertained particularly to Donald Trump Jr. in a number of his contentions before our committee..."
"I think this common thread of lying to Congress, and particularly to congressional committees, may ensnare a number of other potential targets in the special counsel's investigation and become a matter of criminal action."
Here's Rachel @Maddow's full interview with Senator Blumenthal tonight:
Blumenthal questions truthfulness of Trump Jr.'s Senate testimony
Senator Richard Blumenthal talks with Rachel Maddow about a new bipartisan bill that would ensure that Robert Mueller's report be made public, and about the potential for further criminal charges from the special counsel's office for lying to Congress.Jan. 28, 2019
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/blumenthal-questions-truthfulness-of-tr...
___________________________________________________________
Steph Haberman @StephLauren | 7:08 PM - 28 Jan 2019:
As Trump tweeted this, Sen. Blumenthal was on @maddow, saying that he saw "serious issues" concerning the "truthfulness" of Donald Trump Jr.'s statements to the Senate judiciary committee.
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
How does Da Nang Dick (Blumenthal) serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee when he defrauded the American people about his so called War Hero status in Vietnam, only to later admit, with tears pouring down his face, that he was never in Vietnam. An embarrassment to our Country!
Sen. Blumenthal on Donald Trump, Jr's truthfulness or lack thereof...
Maddow Blog @MaddowBlog | 7:59 PM - 28 Jan 2019
Sen. Blumenthal: "...behind closed doors, there arose in my mind, very clearly, questions, serious issues, concerning their truthfulness. And that issue pertained particularly to Donald Trump Jr. in a number of his contentions before our committee..."
"I think this common thread of lying to Congress, and particularly to congressional committees, may ensnare a number of other potential targets in the special counsel's investigation and become a matter of criminal action."
Here's Rachel @Maddow's full interview with Senator Blumenthal tonight:
Blumenthal questions truthfulness of Trump Jr.'s Senate testimony
Senator Richard Blumenthal talks with Rachel Maddow about a new bipartisan bill that would ensure that Robert Mueller's report be made public, and about the potential for further criminal charges from the special counsel's office for lying to Congress.Jan. 28, 2019
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/blumenthal-questions-truthfulness-of-tr...
___________________________________________________________
Steph Haberman @StephLauren | 7:08 PM - 28 Jan 2019:
As Trump tweeted this, Sen. Blumenthal was on @maddow, saying that he saw "serious issues" concerning the "truthfulness" of Donald Trump Jr.'s statements to the Senate judiciary committee.
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
How does Da Nang Dick (Blumenthal) serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee when he defrauded the American people about his so called War Hero status in Vietnam, only to later admit, with tears pouring down his face, that he was never in Vietnam. An embarrassment to our Country!
28RickHarsch
>27 margd:
Unfortunately, Congress is filled with people like Blumenthal, who have been caught out having told lies that would generally be extremely embarrassing to general folk like most of us. When Biden reappeared as a major national figure I had to slap my head--wasn't that the plagiarism guy? My theory, in short form, is that what the Nixon era, the Vietnam loss, followed by the Ford/Carter vacuity led to a situation in which people in the US were, generally without thinking it through, at a sort of existential impasse. They had come face to face with their origin myth, which could not co-exist with their current political lives. Reagan came along with amnesia stardust and solved the problem--the mirror was faulty. So at a point when a truth committee was most necessary, and a return to fundamental principles along with the recognition of how manifest destiny made for, in the long run, a brutal partner to capitalism, a time for a demand by citizens that Nixons be weeded out, that studies of departure from the shining city on the hill be made, instead that city glittered blindingly, and a new era was born in which far less was expected of the public servant.
I realize I would have to go on much longer to explain Trump's rise and would certainly fail ultimately, but I will at least remark that he is the New Reagan, and in a degenerate empire, he is, of course, a degenerate leader even compared to Reagan.
Unfortunately, Congress is filled with people like Blumenthal, who have been caught out having told lies that would generally be extremely embarrassing to general folk like most of us. When Biden reappeared as a major national figure I had to slap my head--wasn't that the plagiarism guy? My theory, in short form, is that what the Nixon era, the Vietnam loss, followed by the Ford/Carter vacuity led to a situation in which people in the US were, generally without thinking it through, at a sort of existential impasse. They had come face to face with their origin myth, which could not co-exist with their current political lives. Reagan came along with amnesia stardust and solved the problem--the mirror was faulty. So at a point when a truth committee was most necessary, and a return to fundamental principles along with the recognition of how manifest destiny made for, in the long run, a brutal partner to capitalism, a time for a demand by citizens that Nixons be weeded out, that studies of departure from the shining city on the hill be made, instead that city glittered blindingly, and a new era was born in which far less was expected of the public servant.
I realize I would have to go on much longer to explain Trump's rise and would certainly fail ultimately, but I will at least remark that he is the New Reagan, and in a degenerate empire, he is, of course, a degenerate leader even compared to Reagan.
29margd
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump | 6:36 AM - 20 Nov 2014 :
Repubs must not allow Pres Obama to subvert the Constitution of the US for his own benefit & because he is unable to negotiate w/ Congress.
Repubs must not allow Pres Obama to subvert the Constitution of the US for his own benefit & because he is unable to negotiate w/ Congress.
30margd
McConnell privately cautions Trump about emergency declaration on border wall
Sean Sullivan, Erica Werner and Seung Min Kim | February 1, 2019
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell...(R-Ky.) told Trump that Congress might end up passing a resolution disapproving the emergency declaration...which would force the president to contemplate issuing his first veto ever, in the face of opposition from his own party.
McConnell delivered the message during a face-to-face meeting with the president Tuesday at the White House...The two men met alone and conversed with no aides present. Their meeting was not publicly announced...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/mcconnell-privately-cautioned-trump-abo...
Sean Sullivan, Erica Werner and Seung Min Kim | February 1, 2019
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell...(R-Ky.) told Trump that Congress might end up passing a resolution disapproving the emergency declaration...which would force the president to contemplate issuing his first veto ever, in the face of opposition from his own party.
McConnell delivered the message during a face-to-face meeting with the president Tuesday at the White House...The two men met alone and conversed with no aides present. Their meeting was not publicly announced...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/mcconnell-privately-cautioned-trump-abo...
31margd
In government shutdown aftermath, federal workers still hurting, survey finds
Janna Herron | Feb. 12, 2019
...During the shutdown, federal workers went to great lengths to deal with their cash flow shortfall. Almost a quarter reduced or eliminated spending on health or medical expenses for themselves or their family. One in four visited a food bank.
Forty-two percent took on new debt to pay for day-to-day expenses and bills. Two in five turned to family or friends, while one in five borrowed from a bank or credit union.
...At Navy Federal Credit Union, nearly 20,000 of its members signed up to get zero-percent loans based on their most recent direct deposit, according to a company spokesman.
Just over a quarter of federal workers surveyed tapped their retirement accounts – either taking a loan or outright distribution. One in 10 borrowed from an alternative lender, while 9 percent turned to crowdfunding.
GoFundMe saw about 4,000 campaigns that raised nearly $2 million to support those affected by the shutdown, a company spokeswoman said.
Lasting consequences
Despite their efforts, almost half of federal workers fell behind on bills. More than a quarter missed a mortgage or rent payment; 13 percent fell behind on student loans; and 10 percent skipped a tuition payment, Prudential found.
Of those who had emergency savings, 62 percent said they depleted all or most of those rainy-day funds. Almost a third spent half of it...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/12/government-shutdown-looms-federa...
ETA_____________________________________________________________
Rep. Mark Pocan @repmarkpocan | 8:43 AM - 13 Feb 2019
President Trump couldn't go to Mar-a-Lago during the government shutdown, so he had a $50,000 golf video game installed at the White House, likely at the EXACT same time 800,000 federal employees were without pay.
Unbelievable.
............................................................................................................
President Trump installed a room-sized golf simulator at White House
David A. Fahrenthold and Josh Dawsey | February 13, 2019
President Trump has installed a room-sized “golf simulator” game at the White House, which allows him to play virtual rounds at courses all over the world by hitting a ball into a large video screen, according to two people told about the system.
That system replaced an older, less sophisticated golf simulator that had been installed under President Obama, according to two people with knowledge of the previous system.
Trump’s system cost about $50,000, and was put in during the last few weeks in a room in his personal quarters, a White House official said.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the president’s private residence, said Trump had paid for the new system and the installation personally.
...The White House official said Trump has not used his new golf simulator during executive time — or at all since it was put in....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-trump-installed-a-room-sized-g...
Janna Herron | Feb. 12, 2019
...During the shutdown, federal workers went to great lengths to deal with their cash flow shortfall. Almost a quarter reduced or eliminated spending on health or medical expenses for themselves or their family. One in four visited a food bank.
Forty-two percent took on new debt to pay for day-to-day expenses and bills. Two in five turned to family or friends, while one in five borrowed from a bank or credit union.
...At Navy Federal Credit Union, nearly 20,000 of its members signed up to get zero-percent loans based on their most recent direct deposit, according to a company spokesman.
Just over a quarter of federal workers surveyed tapped their retirement accounts – either taking a loan or outright distribution. One in 10 borrowed from an alternative lender, while 9 percent turned to crowdfunding.
GoFundMe saw about 4,000 campaigns that raised nearly $2 million to support those affected by the shutdown, a company spokeswoman said.
Lasting consequences
Despite their efforts, almost half of federal workers fell behind on bills. More than a quarter missed a mortgage or rent payment; 13 percent fell behind on student loans; and 10 percent skipped a tuition payment, Prudential found.
Of those who had emergency savings, 62 percent said they depleted all or most of those rainy-day funds. Almost a third spent half of it...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/12/government-shutdown-looms-federa...
ETA_____________________________________________________________
Rep. Mark Pocan @repmarkpocan | 8:43 AM - 13 Feb 2019
President Trump couldn't go to Mar-a-Lago during the government shutdown, so he had a $50,000 golf video game installed at the White House, likely at the EXACT same time 800,000 federal employees were without pay.
Unbelievable.
............................................................................................................
President Trump installed a room-sized golf simulator at White House
David A. Fahrenthold and Josh Dawsey | February 13, 2019
President Trump has installed a room-sized “golf simulator” game at the White House, which allows him to play virtual rounds at courses all over the world by hitting a ball into a large video screen, according to two people told about the system.
That system replaced an older, less sophisticated golf simulator that had been installed under President Obama, according to two people with knowledge of the previous system.
Trump’s system cost about $50,000, and was put in during the last few weeks in a room in his personal quarters, a White House official said.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the president’s private residence, said Trump had paid for the new system and the installation personally.
...The White House official said Trump has not used his new golf simulator during executive time — or at all since it was put in....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/president-trump-installed-a-room-sized-g...
322wonderY
>31 margd: Knowing how even prosperous Americans budget to their limits, I understand how bills and debt immediately became issues. I've been there too.
But I'm hoping people take a hint and deepen their pantries as a first priority. Is it no longer a practice to have a reserve of foodstuffs? My parents didn't grow or preserve foods, but the basement shelves had enough reserves of canned and dry goods to see us through for months. I too just ate from my shelves and freezer last month, only needing to buy milk.
But I'm hoping people take a hint and deepen their pantries as a first priority. Is it no longer a practice to have a reserve of foodstuffs? My parents didn't grow or preserve foods, but the basement shelves had enough reserves of canned and dry goods to see us through for months. I too just ate from my shelves and freezer last month, only needing to buy milk.
33bnielsen
>32 2wonderY: No, no, no! You'll kill off the economy if you don't max out your credit cards.
34margd
Congressional reps write OMB and OPM re problems reported with backpay for hundreds of thousands of furloughed and excepted employees:
https://wexton.house.gov/sites/wexton.house.gov/files/2.12.19%20Letter%20to%20OM...
Spending Package Includes 1.9% Federal Pay Raise for 2019
Scott Thompson | February 14, 2019
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/spending-bill-pay-raise/
https://wexton.house.gov/sites/wexton.house.gov/files/2.12.19%20Letter%20to%20OM...
Spending Package Includes 1.9% Federal Pay Raise for 2019
Scott Thompson | February 14, 2019
https://www.myfederalretirement.com/spending-bill-pay-raise/
35Kuiperdolin
>31 margd: Way to bury the fact that he paid for it himself deep down in that fake-outrage ramble.
Meanwhile cons gorged on tax dollar venison while police men went unpaid...
Meanwhile cons gorged on tax dollar venison while police men went unpaid...
36John5918
>35 Kuiperdolin:
They say you can judge the humanity of a society by the way it treats its prisoners. Are you suggesting that we should lock people up for whatever punishment is prescribed by the law of the land and then starve them in the meantime?
They say you can judge the humanity of a society by the way it treats its prisoners. Are you suggesting that we should lock people up for whatever punishment is prescribed by the law of the land and then starve them in the meantime?
37Kuiperdolin
As long as the Demonrats won't stop obstructing the government, yes. Which would not even be that long, they'll fold as soon as their precious criminals start feeling the squeeze.
38John5918
>37 Kuiperdolin:
So your political disagreement with the Democrats is more important than the lives of human beings who have been locked up by society according to the due process of law?
So your political disagreement with the Democrats is more important than the lives of human beings who have been locked up by society according to the due process of law?
39Kuiperdolin
They're not going to die. At worst they'll skip a few meals and then the Demonrats will cave.
40John5918
>39 Kuiperdolin:
As I said, you can judge the humanity of a society, or a commentator, by the way they treat their prisoners. Your answers speak for themselves.
As I said, you can judge the humanity of a society, or a commentator, by the way they treat their prisoners. Your answers speak for themselves.
41margd
Tax dollar venison? In my county, hunters provide carcasses via volunteer butchers to food banks for distribution to whomever needs and can use it.
Don't think money changes hands? (LOTS of deer in our state, for now anyway. Lost of automobile collisions also...)
Unfortunately when papers report on food in our prisons, it's to report maggots, etc. from food provided by Republican-linked, private-sector contractors. Understandable dissatisfaction over such food no doubt increases risks for prison guards/policemen.
Also, there was a British study that found significantly fewer behavioral issues in a prison when adequate vitamins were supplied in the diet.
Don't think money changes hands? (LOTS of deer in our state, for now anyway. Lost of automobile collisions also...)
Unfortunately when papers report on food in our prisons, it's to report maggots, etc. from food provided by Republican-linked, private-sector contractors. Understandable dissatisfaction over such food no doubt increases risks for prison guards/policemen.
Also, there was a British study that found significantly fewer behavioral issues in a prison when adequate vitamins were supplied in the diet.
42Kuiperdolin
>40 John5918: your answers speak for your pro-crime fanaticism
>41 margd: depends on what papers you read. During the shut down cons ate game and steak source https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/04/federal-inmates-get-roast...
>41 margd: depends on what papers you read. During the shut down cons ate game and steak source https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/01/04/federal-inmates-get-roast...
43barney67
My life didn't collapse during the shutdown. Life proceeded as usual. Would any of the Americans on this forum like to comment on whether their lives collapsed? I welcome more government shutdowns.
44barney67
>42 Kuiperdolin: John's time in Africa has given him an unorthodox definition of law and order. That's fine. One man's opinion. He goes astray further when he tries to apply the same definition to every other country and continent on planet. We all know Africa is backwards. But don't take it out on the rest of us.
45John5918
>42 Kuiperdolin:
Not sure what treating prisoners humanely has to do with "pro-crime fanaticism".
>44 barney67:
On the contrary. Many African countries have a poor record when it comes to the treatment of prisoners. I expect better from the developed democracies of Europe and north America.
Not sure what treating prisoners humanely has to do with "pro-crime fanaticism".
>44 barney67:
On the contrary. Many African countries have a poor record when it comes to the treatment of prisoners. I expect better from the developed democracies of Europe and north America.
46margd
>52 margd: Ah, these were special holiday meals, no doubt scheduled and paid for well in advance. I suspect unpaid guards would have had more problems to deal with if special meals were cancelled without good reason...
47margd
Document: 16 States (more than 50% GDP) Sue Over Emergency Declaration
Quinta Jurecic | February 18, 2019
Sixteen states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Michigan) have filed suit against President Trump over his declaration of national emergency. The complaint is available here and below...
https://www.lawfareblog.com/document-16-states-sue-over-emergency-declaration
Quinta Jurecic | February 18, 2019
Sixteen states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Michigan) have filed suit against President Trump over his declaration of national emergency. The complaint is available here and below...
https://www.lawfareblog.com/document-16-states-sue-over-emergency-declaration
48margd
More than 1,000 TSA employees still owed back pay from shutdown
Rene Marsh | March 1, 2019
...The delay has been caused in part due to an unusual move during the shutdown to pay a partial paycheck to workers in order to help keep them on the job. TSA Administrator David Pekoske told employees at the time the decision was to "alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing." Hundreds of TSA workers called out from work during the shutdown and officials from the national TSA employee union said many of the callouts were due to financial hardship.
..."Of TSA's 60,000 employees, approximately 1,000 throughout the country require some sort of pay correction," the agency's statement read. The agency says it continues to process those corrections, which mostly affect one pay period.
The median TSA salary is less than $41,000, according to 2017 data and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics...
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/politics/tsa-back-pay-shutdown/index.html
Rene Marsh | March 1, 2019
...The delay has been caused in part due to an unusual move during the shutdown to pay a partial paycheck to workers in order to help keep them on the job. TSA Administrator David Pekoske told employees at the time the decision was to "alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing." Hundreds of TSA workers called out from work during the shutdown and officials from the national TSA employee union said many of the callouts were due to financial hardship.
..."Of TSA's 60,000 employees, approximately 1,000 throughout the country require some sort of pay correction," the agency's statement read. The agency says it continues to process those corrections, which mostly affect one pay period.
The median TSA salary is less than $41,000, according to 2017 data and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics...
https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/politics/tsa-back-pay-shutdown/index.html
49margd
Nice story about a (the?) Coast Guard oceanographer, one of the folks deemed "inessential" in a government shutdown:
Portrait of an Inessential Government Worker
Michael Lewis | October 15, 2019
Glory isn’t part of the deal when you go to work for the federal government...
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-10-15/lifesaving-coast-guard-sci...
Portrait of an Inessential Government Worker
Michael Lewis | October 15, 2019
Glory isn’t part of the deal when you go to work for the federal government...
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-10-15/lifesaving-coast-guard-sci...
51lriley
#50---It wouldn't shock me--though last time I didn't work out well for him and it won't work out well for him this time either. He is a petulant POS though so.......
52margd
David Frum @davidfrum | 10/30/2019
The nearly month-long federal shutdown over Dec 2018-Jan 2019 shaved 0.2 points off growth in 2018 4th quarter and 0.4 points off 2019 1st quarter.
The economy is slower now, and the growth hit from end-2019 shutdown would be proportionally bigger. 1/x
Trump may be tempted to shut down the govt to thwart impeachment - but any shutdown will impose an economic price directly impinging on his already delicate 2020 hopes. 2/x
Probable outcome: as with so many of his negotiations, Trump will huff and puff - and then capitulate.
This will be the next installment of the economic price that Rs will pay for the Trump scandals. More to come in 2021 ...
The nearly month-long federal shutdown over Dec 2018-Jan 2019 shaved 0.2 points off growth in 2018 4th quarter and 0.4 points off 2019 1st quarter.
The economy is slower now, and the growth hit from end-2019 shutdown would be proportionally bigger. 1/x
Trump may be tempted to shut down the govt to thwart impeachment - but any shutdown will impose an economic price directly impinging on his already delicate 2020 hopes. 2/x
Probable outcome: as with so many of his negotiations, Trump will huff and puff - and then capitulate.
This will be the next installment of the economic price that Rs will pay for the Trump scandals. More to come in 2021 ...
53margd
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen @NoLieWithBTC | 12:35 PM · Oct 1, 2025:
The White House just announced that the construction of Trump’s $200 million golden ballroom will continue during the government shutdown while American soldiers go without pay.
(Photos) A grand ballroom with ornate chandeliers, arched windows, and tables set with white tablecloths, chairs, and floral centerpieces. Soldiers in military uniforms walk on a bridge with an American flag visible.
https://x.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1973426643151757496
Government shutdown updates: 'I don't think it's going to be that long of a shutdown', Vance says
Kevin Shalvey, Megan Forrester, Ivan Pereira, and David Brennan | October 1, 2025
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-admin-live-updates/
The White House just announced that the construction of Trump’s $200 million golden ballroom will continue during the government shutdown while American soldiers go without pay.
(Photos) A grand ballroom with ornate chandeliers, arched windows, and tables set with white tablecloths, chairs, and floral centerpieces. Soldiers in military uniforms walk on a bridge with an American flag visible.
https://x.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1973426643151757496
Government shutdown updates: 'I don't think it's going to be that long of a shutdown', Vance says
Kevin Shalvey, Megan Forrester, Ivan Pereira, and David Brennan | October 1, 2025
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/trump-admin-live-updates/
54margd
CDC battered by government shutdown firings, while some are rescinded
Terminations have decimated offices related to injury prevention, disease surveillance
Elizabeth Cooney, Chelsea Cirruzzo, and Helen Branswell | Oct. 11, 2025
"The White House’s mass firing of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff on Friday has decimated offices related to injury prevention, respiratory disease surveillance, and chronic disease, according to four people familiar with the cuts.
By Saturday evening, however, some of the terminations appeared to have been rescinded.
An HHS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that some people may have mistakenly received reduction-in-force notices because of coding errors in their job classifications. The people who should be brought back, the official said, include those who produce the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report* publication, people working on the measles outbreak, people working on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and people in the Global Health Center and in the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
... According to people familiar with the cuts, the firings included all the personnel in the CDC’s Washington, D.C., office. Some employees were terminated from the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology; the Office of Human Resources; the office of the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; the Office of Science, including people responsible for gathering information on global health threats; the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; and the CDC’s library.
Also let go on Friday were most second-year members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, the CDC’s rapid outbreak response training program, as well as their laboratory counterparts, members of the Laboratory Leadership Service. A few people in those two programs who are in the U.S. Public Health Service were spared from the layoffs. Both programs appeared to be on the chopping block in the first round of reduction-in-force layoffs that the Trump administration leveled in February, but the threatened layoff notices were not issued then to EIS officers. Members of the laboratory leadership program were let go, but were later reinstated.
... Just days after {gunman fired 500 bullets at the agency’s Atlanta headquarters}, the government fired over 150 violence and injury prevention specialists at the CDC Center for Injury Prevention. And the firings on Friday affected the Office of Safety, Security and Asset Management, which is responsible for agency security..."
https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/cdc-firings-government-shutdown-hhs/
-----------------------------------------------
* "The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a series of epidemiological science periodicals published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ... It is the main vehicle for publishing public health information and recommendations that have been received by the CDC from state health departments. Material published in the report is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission... " (Wikipedia)
Terminations have decimated offices related to injury prevention, disease surveillance
Elizabeth Cooney, Chelsea Cirruzzo, and Helen Branswell | Oct. 11, 2025
"The White House’s mass firing of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staff on Friday has decimated offices related to injury prevention, respiratory disease surveillance, and chronic disease, according to four people familiar with the cuts.
By Saturday evening, however, some of the terminations appeared to have been rescinded.
An HHS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that some people may have mistakenly received reduction-in-force notices because of coding errors in their job classifications. The people who should be brought back, the official said, include those who produce the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report* publication, people working on the measles outbreak, people working on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and people in the Global Health Center and in the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
... According to people familiar with the cuts, the firings included all the personnel in the CDC’s Washington, D.C., office. Some employees were terminated from the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology; the Office of Human Resources; the office of the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; the Office of Science, including people responsible for gathering information on global health threats; the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; and the CDC’s library.
Also let go on Friday were most second-year members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service, the CDC’s rapid outbreak response training program, as well as their laboratory counterparts, members of the Laboratory Leadership Service. A few people in those two programs who are in the U.S. Public Health Service were spared from the layoffs. Both programs appeared to be on the chopping block in the first round of reduction-in-force layoffs that the Trump administration leveled in February, but the threatened layoff notices were not issued then to EIS officers. Members of the laboratory leadership program were let go, but were later reinstated.
... Just days after {gunman fired 500 bullets at the agency’s Atlanta headquarters}, the government fired over 150 violence and injury prevention specialists at the CDC Center for Injury Prevention. And the firings on Friday affected the Office of Safety, Security and Asset Management, which is responsible for agency security..."
https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/11/cdc-firings-government-shutdown-hhs/
-----------------------------------------------
* "The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a series of epidemiological science periodicals published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ... It is the main vehicle for publishing public health information and recommendations that have been received by the CDC from state health departments. Material published in the report is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission... " (Wikipedia)
552wonderY
Randy Irwin, President of the National Federation of Federal Employees, responds to Trump saying he will pick and choose who gets back pay:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMUA3TMR/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMUA3TMR/
56margd
Jesus Freakin Congress @TheJFreakinC | 4:16 PM · Oct 12, 2025: x.com
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. Running for U.S. congress in 2027.
"The USDA website now says “Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.”
On a federal .gov site.
That’s not “communication.” That’s propaganda… the kind we used to point to in authoritarian regimes and say, “Wow, glad that’s not us.”
Well… surprise. It’s us.
We’ve officially entered the “state propaganda, but make it agriculture” phase of American democracy.
Screenshot of the official USDA Forest Service website from fs.usda.gov ...
https://x.com/TheJFreakinC/status/1977468528098738201"
___________________________________
"The Hatch Act of 1939, An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities, is a United States federal law that prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president and vice president, from engaging in some forms of political activity. ... It was most recently amended in 2012." (Wikipedia)
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. Running for U.S. congress in 2027.
"The USDA website now says “Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.”
On a federal .gov site.
That’s not “communication.” That’s propaganda… the kind we used to point to in authoritarian regimes and say, “Wow, glad that’s not us.”
Well… surprise. It’s us.
We’ve officially entered the “state propaganda, but make it agriculture” phase of American democracy.
Screenshot of the official USDA Forest Service website from fs.usda.gov ...
https://x.com/TheJFreakinC/status/1977468528098738201"
___________________________________
"The Hatch Act of 1939, An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities, is a United States federal law that prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president and vice president, from engaging in some forms of political activity. ... It was most recently amended in 2012." (Wikipedia)
