Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Christmas Tree Farm in a Snowstorm


 

36 comments:

  1. So, to be aware of what's happening in the nation right now, you'd be wise to read this:

    Heather Cox Richardson

    DT is trying to freeze money that Congress has appropriated, as if Congress isn't one of the three branches of government but just an advisory group. This is entirely unconstitutional. I certainly hope that Congress doesn't roll over and play dead with this, the way they did when DT fired the Inspectors General without giving Congress 30 days' notice and specific reasons for each firing (as required by law). It's worth a call to your Reps and Senators!

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    1. Well aware of it.
      ----Alan

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    2. Never knew that Project 2025 originated from the administration of Victor Orban. -- nordy

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    3. Yeah. It's a great source. After all, Turkey is poorer than (per capita GDP lower than) the poorest US state (Mississippi).

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  2. Snow expected by the weekend. Maybe even an inch. As usual, people are panicking. -- nordy

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    1. 🤣 🤣 🤣
      We had a couple more inches today on top of a couple from earlier. I think we have about 6" on the ground now.
      More coming. Just wear your big coat, and drive slower.

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  3. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggles to answer questions on Medicare and Medicaid at confirmation hearing
    AP: In a contentious confirmation hearing to be the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about how he would reform Medicaid or Medicare, the government health care programs used by millions of disabled, poor and older Americans.

    Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician and key vote Kennedy needs to win, repeatedly pressed the nominee on Wednesday to share ways he plans to reform Medicaid, a multibillion-dollar taxpayer-funded program that covers health care for about 80 million people, including children. Republicans have said they might need to make deep cuts to Medicaid to fund President Donald Trump’s proposals.

    Kennedy also inaccurately claimed that Medicaid is fully paid for by the federal government — it’s not; states and federal taxpayers fund it. He also said most Americans have purchased a Medicare Advantage plan, when only about 1 in 10 Americans have. -- nordy

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    1. RFK, Jr. was also asked, if a woman is in the process of miscarrying, should she have access to healthcare?
      His response was "I don't know" !!!!!!!!

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  4. Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal grants
    AP: President Donald Trump’s budget office on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing spending on federal grants, less than two days after it sparked widespread confusion and legal challenges across the country. -- nordy

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    1. Guardian: White House rescinds federal funding freeze after days of confusion and concern across US [Click] “Officials scrap measure following backlash and court action”
      ——Alan

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    2. This why I femain confident demovracy will survive. Despite what he believes, Trump's powers remain limited.

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  5. It is recommended that as DT's Admin tosses out these absurdities that we all keep flooding Congress and the White House with letters, postcards, emails and/or calls. MOST Americans don't want Project 2025. We're not going to roll over and go quietly.

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  6. People are saying NO to the cruelty and foolishness.

    Boo to McDonald's, Walmart and Target for ending DEI.
    Hurrah for Costco, Pinterest and others for upholding DEI.

    Related article

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  7. Scientists point to Andes potato pathogen as origin of Irish famine [Click] “Researchers say study may help global efforts in controlling disease that still destroys crops today”
    ——Alan

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  8. Hey! Nurse Teri was Sen. Wyden's VIP guest at the RFK, Jr. Hearing on Capitol Hill today! She will be there tomorrow too! Apparently, at the 10min mark he mentioned her. Send her good vibes for tomorrow, as it must be exhausting listening to that man all day!

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  9. {listener}
    US Army Blackhawk helicopter has collided with an American Airlines jet (small) by Reagan International Airport into the Potomac.

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    1. {listener}
      * Reagan National

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  10. {listener}
    AA flight 5342 had 60 passengers and 4 crew. Rescue operation underway. Water temperature 42°F.

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    1. {listener}
      Part of the plane is underwater.

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    2. {listener}
      A Blackhawk typically has two pilots and two crew chiefs (gunners).

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    3. {listener}
      This Blackhawk had 3 military personnel and no passengers.

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    4. National Airport has long been obsolete; it was not designed for jet passenger planes, but was kept open for the convenience of members of Congress.
      ----Alan

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    5. Update: Water temperature is actually 35ºF.
      They were coming in to the runway, 300ft up, and the pilots probably couldn't see each other.
      The Blackhawk was on a training flight.

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    6. Air Traffic Control asked the Blackhawk if they had the commercial jet in view and said to pass behind the commercial jet. It was a Blackhawk training flight, and it's early to speculate, but I can't help but imagine this will be ruled as pilot error. Sigh.

      No survivors have been found.

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    7. What We Know So Far

      • A massive search operation is underway after a passenger aircraft carrying 64 people collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, DC, according to aviation and defense officials. About 300 first responders are searching the freezing Potomac River, where the aircraft crashed, the DC fire chief said.

      • Fatalities have been confirmed and rescuers have not yet pulled any survivors from the water, a law enforcement source said. The source says the plane is in pieces in the water and the helicopter is in the water nearby. The airport will be closed until at least 11 a.m. ET Thursday, airport officials said.

      • The plane, American Airlines Flight 5342 with 60 passengers and four crew members on board, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the airline. Three soldiers were on board the helicopter, which was on a training flight, officials say.

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  11. The Rachel Maddow Show [9PM] 1/29/2025 [Click] A particularly rich trove tonight.
    ——Alan

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  12. Replies
    1. He wrote something on social media, not to calm and comfort, but to offer speculation and blame. What a horse's patoot.

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    2. We all know what comes out of a horse's patoot. Unlike Drumpf, what the horse produces is useful fertilizer.
      ------Alan

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