Today, Katherine Long of the Wall Street Journal reported that one of Musk’s young team of engineers, Marko Elez, 25, abruptly resigned after Long linked him to a social-media account that championed racism and eugenics, the idea that human populations can be improved by selective breeding, an idea embraced in Nazi Germany.
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour indefinitely blocked Trump’s executive order altering birthright citizenship, calling it “clearly unconstitutional.” “It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain,” Coughenour said.
NPR: A Democratic-led attempt to subpoena Musk about possible conflicts of interest over juggling his DOGE role with the six companies he operates was blocked by Republicans on Wednesday. Democratic Senators are issuing blistering statements, and writing letters to Musk's companies demanding answers, but such moves are unlikely to result in testimony in Washington, as long as Republicans hold a majority in both chambers.
Gratuitous defamation of muskrats is in poor taste; I am sure that no self-respecting muskrat would associate with such a bunch of yahoos. Hmmmmm. . . . I wonder if Trump and/or Musk might be willing to accept a pet armadillo; they can carry leprosy. ----Alan
WCAX: “Also Thursday, a federal judge ordered that two Musk allies have “read-only” access to Treasury Department payment systems, but no one else will get access for now, including Musk himself.”
listener: re your Canadian-made medicine. I understand Canadian pharmacists honor US prescriptions. As I recall, Bernie was among those who organized trips to Canada for pescription medicines (e.g. insulin, heart meds) back in the day. Shouldn't be any need to go as far as Ottawa--- Quebec is a lot closer. (I will also post this with your post on the previous thread.) -----Alan
I recall (perhaps mistakenly) that people could also order meds from Canada by phone or mail. -----Alan (Who realizes now that Ottawa isn't as far from you as he thought.)
Oh, I can BUY the drugs, but wouldn't be able to buy them with my Medicare Part D, so would have to pay full proce. For me, a 3 month supply would cost $1000. With Part D, it's $74.
And, it turns out it doesn't matter whether you are ordering online or driving up there in person. I can't afford it. My only recourse will be to get a brand that gives me headaches and take a pain killer with it. Not ideal. But sure better than getting shingles (which would happen if I go off the med for 3 days).
Will there even be legislation at this point? Isn't DOGE now doing the work of the WH and Congress all in one, not to speak of making judicial level decisions?
16 years without a major plane crash. Three since DAss took office. So, yeah, let's let the guy who blows up rockets mess with the system and "fix" it even better.
“We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in U.S. history.” — Former USAID Director Samantha Power, quoted by the New York Times. ----Alan
US judge to enter 'limited' temporary order to block Trump from moving to dismantle USAid Guardian: A US judge on Friday said he will enter a “very limited” temporary order blocking Donald Trump’s administration from taking certain steps to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USaid), according to Reuters.
US district judge Carl Nichols in Washington said he would issue the order following a lawsuit by the largest US government workers’ union and an association of foreign service workers, who sued on Thursday to stop the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency. -- nordy
A US Treasury threat intelligence analysis has reportedly designated staff from Elon Musk’s “department of government efficiency” (Doge) as an “insider threat”. Wired obtained an internal email on Thursday that said Doge’s access to government payment systems is “the single biggest insider threat risk the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has ever faced”.
Musk has brought a group on young men onto his team to reportedly work to gain access to the government’s computer systems, causing outcry among Democrats. -- nordy
AP: President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending the daily intelligence briefings he’s receiving in payback for Biden doing the same to him in 2021. The move is the latest in a vengeance tour of Washington that Trump promised during his campaign. He has previously revoked security clearances from more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.” He’s also revoked security details assigned to protect former government officials who have criticized him, including his own former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who faces threats from Iran, and former infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. -- nordy
• USAID ruling: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt its plans to put at least 2,200 employees at the US Agency for International Development on administrative leave tonight.
• Tasks for Musk: President Donald Trump said he’s directed Elon Musk to review “just about everything” in the US federal government, including the Pentagon and education spending. At a news conference with Japan’s prime minister, Trump also said he would continue to have relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his second term.
• Revoking clearance: In a social media post late Friday, Trump said he was removing former President Joe Biden’s access to classified information by revoking his security clearance and stopping his daily intelligence briefings.
Hey! Eldest got interviewed for Vermont Public's show "Brave Little State." His part begins around the 13:25 mark. Pretty great of him to have helped his town get the newest Town Forest in Vermont! Can't wait to go hiking there in Spring. How Vermont Got So Many Town Forests
I hit a low point today. (This is exceptionally rare for me.) It's good to hear of judges blocking this or that. But don't the powers that be already have the data needed to impoverish the nation? Seems we're on track to become a third world country. Can we survive two years until the midterms? And will there even be another election...without covert interference? =Heavy Sigh= I read Heather Cox Richardson every day and check news sources that I trust. But I don't really see an end to this destructiveness and I also don't see a way to a better life elsewhere. So, this has been a hard day.
SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19) (which can be found and followed on Substack)
Hi all, please pay attention.
I just spoke with my CDC sources, and they say the risk to humans is increasing. When asked why the CDC briefly posted and then deleted data on bird flu transmission between cats and people, the sources confirmed it showed transmission in two households.
They said the data was deleted under orders from the Trump administration.
Sen. Peter Welch and Rep Becca Balint (both D-VT), keep trying to get into government buildings in DC and being denied access. The usual Capitol police people have been sent away and a hired force has replaced them.
"The DOGE bros have hired armed, private mercenaries, a company called Triple Canopy to replace security in US Federal buildings: formerly Xi Corp, formerly Blackwater. "
Six weeks ago tonight I heard the ER doctor say, "Surgery within the hour!" Update: I am healing well. Six weeks? Think of it: Six weeks ago Jimmy Carter was still alive and Joe Biden was still President. Feels like six years in some ways.
As I read this I kept thinking how brilliant Zelenskyy is to speak in terms that probably can't be resisted.
'Let's do a deal': Zelenskyy touts Ukraine's rare earth stores to Trump Donald Trump has said he wants Ukraine to supply the US with critical resources in exchange for financial support in its war with Russia.
HCR tonight
ReplyDeleteToday, Katherine Long of the Wall Street Journal reported that one of Musk’s young team of engineers, Marko Elez, 25, abruptly resigned after Long linked him to a social-media account that championed racism and eugenics, the idea that human populations can be improved by selective breeding, an idea embraced in Nazi Germany.
U.S. District Judge John Coughenour indefinitely blocked Trump’s executive order altering birthright citizenship, calling it “clearly unconstitutional.” “It has become ever more apparent that, to our president, the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals. The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain,” Coughenour said.
Coughenour is a Reagan appointee. -- nordy
Delete{listener}
ReplyDeleteNPR: A Democratic-led attempt to subpoena Musk about possible conflicts of interest over juggling his DOGE role with the six companies he operates was blocked by Republicans on Wednesday. Democratic Senators are issuing blistering statements, and writing letters to Musk's companies demanding answers, but such moves are unlikely to result in testimony in Washington, as long as Republicans hold a majority in both chambers.
{listener}
DeleteJust saw this:
“Musk and his muskrats”!
Gratuitous defamation of muskrats is in poor taste; I am sure that no self-respecting muskrat would associate with such a bunch of yahoos. Hmmmmm. . . . I wonder if Trump and/or Musk might be willing to accept a pet armadillo; they can carry leprosy.
Delete----Alan
Hereafter to be referred to as MUCK and his Muckrats.
Delete{listener}
ReplyDeleteWCAX: “Also Thursday, a federal judge ordered that two Musk allies have “read-only” access to Treasury Department payment systems, but no one else will get access for now, including Musk himself.”
VT, NY join other states in lawsuit over Musk’s access to government systems
Mexico deporting undocumented US immigrants. [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
listener: re your Canadian-made medicine. I understand Canadian pharmacists honor US prescriptions. As I recall, Bernie was among those who organized trips to Canada for pescription medicines (e.g. insulin, heart meds) back in the day. Shouldn't be any need to go as far as Ottawa--- Quebec is a lot closer. (I will also post this with your post on the previous thread.)
ReplyDelete-----Alan
I recall (perhaps mistakenly) that people could also order meds from Canada by phone or mail.
Delete-----Alan (Who realizes now that Ottawa isn't as far from you as he thought.)
Buying drugs from Canada #1 [Click]
DeleteBuying drugs from Canada #2 [Click]
Buying drugs from Canada #3 [Click]
—Alan
Validating Canadian online pharmacies #1 [Click]
DeleteValidating Canadian online pharmacies #2 [Click]
——Alan
Oh, I can BUY the drugs, but wouldn't be able to buy them with my Medicare Part D, so would have to pay full proce. For me, a 3 month supply would cost $1000. With Part D, it's $74.
DeleteAnd, it turns out it doesn't matter whether you are ordering online or driving up there in person. I can't afford it.
DeleteMy only recourse will be to get a brand that gives me headaches and take a pain killer with it. Not ideal. But sure better than getting shingles (which would happen if I go off the med for 3 days).
The Government’s Computing Experts Say They Are Terrified [Click] “Four IT professionals lay out just how destructive Elon Musk’s incursion into the U.S. government could be.”
ReplyDelete—Alan
I remember that US military computers didn't have USB ports.
Delete-----Alan
Trump’s Tariffs Fall Far Short of Paying for Tax Cuts [Click] Even without factoring in boycotts in Canada, Mexico, etc.
ReplyDelete—Alan
Alleged TIME cover for Feb. 24th [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
That seems apropos.
Delete
ReplyDeleteDemocrats Are About to Get Some Real Leverage [Click] Republicans can’t pass legislation by themselves in either Senate or House.
——Alan
Will there even be legislation at this point? Isn't DOGE now doing the work of the WH and Congress all in one, not to speak of making judicial level decisions?
DeleteMusk to Make ‘Rapid Safety Upgrades’ to Air Traffic Control [Click] Oh, sure.
ReplyDelete—Alan
16 years without a major plane crash. Three since DAss took office. So, yeah, let's let the guy who blows up rockets mess with the system and "fix" it even better.
Delete
ReplyDelete“We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in U.S. history.”
— Former USAID Director Samantha Power, quoted by the New York Times.
----Alan
ReplyDeletePuerto Ricans Caught in Trump’s Deportation Dragnet [Click] Cute.
—Alan
I have heard that indigenous people in the US have been arrested. I expect that Hispanos in New Mexico will be, too.
Delete-----Alan
Treasury Installs Ally of Elon Musk as Head of Payments [Click]
ReplyDelete——Alan
Meidas Touch video: Judge Halts Trump-Musk Buyout of Federal Workers [Click] That makes six such orders so far.
ReplyDelete——Alan
Oops--- I may have miscounted. Can't be sure without a scorecard.
Delete----Alan
Rho Kanna (sp?) D of CA voted FOR Vought.
ReplyDeleteWikipedia: Ro Khanna [Click]
Delete—Alan
Um, the Senate confirms. Rho Khanna is in the House.
DeleteSenators Padilla and Schiff of California both voted Nay.
Trudeau pushes for "free trade within Canada" amid Trump tariffs threat [Click] I was not aware Canada had that sort of problem. The US had such a problem with the Articles of Confederation [and Perpetual Union], and it was cured in the US Constitution.
ReplyDelete——Alan
US judge to enter 'limited' temporary order to block Trump from moving to dismantle USAid
ReplyDeleteGuardian: A US judge on Friday said he will enter a “very limited” temporary order blocking Donald Trump’s administration from taking certain steps to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USaid), according to Reuters.
US district judge Carl Nichols in Washington said he would issue the order following a lawsuit by the largest US government workers’ union and an association of foreign service workers, who sued on Thursday to stop the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency. -- nordy
That is a relief, as far as it goes.
Delete----Alan
A US Treasury threat intelligence analysis has reportedly designated staff from Elon Musk’s “department of government efficiency” (Doge) as an “insider threat”.
ReplyDeleteWired obtained an internal email on Thursday that said Doge’s access to government payment systems is “the single biggest insider threat risk the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has ever faced”.
Musk has brought a group on young men onto his team to reportedly work to gain access to the government’s computer systems, causing outcry among Democrats. -- nordy
on should be of. -- nordy
ReplyDeleteWe meant what you know.
Delete-----Alan
Trump says he’s revoking Biden’s security clearance, ending intelligence briefings in payback move
ReplyDeleteAP: President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending the daily intelligence briefings he’s receiving in payback for Biden doing the same to him in 2021.
The move is the latest in a vengeance tour of Washington that Trump promised during his campaign. He has previously revoked security clearances from more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.” He’s also revoked security details assigned to protect former government officials who have criticized him, including his own former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who faces threats from Iran, and former infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci. -- nordy
Found this on CNN...
ReplyDelete• USAID ruling: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt its plans to put at least 2,200 employees at the US Agency for International Development on administrative leave tonight.
• Tasks for Musk: President Donald Trump said he’s directed Elon Musk to review “just about everything” in the US federal government, including the Pentagon and education spending. At a news conference with Japan’s prime minister, Trump also said he would continue to have relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his second term.
• Revoking clearance: In a social media post late Friday, Trump said he was removing former President Joe Biden’s access to classified information by revoking his security clearance and stopping his daily intelligence briefings.
REVOKE DAss!
Hey! Eldest got interviewed for Vermont Public's show "Brave Little State." His part begins around the 13:25 mark.
ReplyDeletePretty great of him to have helped his town get the newest Town Forest in Vermont! Can't wait to go hiking there in Spring.
How Vermont Got So Many Town Forests
I hit a low point today. (This is exceptionally rare for me.)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear of judges blocking this or that. But don't the powers that be already have the data needed to impoverish the nation? Seems we're on track to become a third world country. Can we survive two years until the midterms? And will there even be another election...without covert interference?
=Heavy Sigh=
I read Heather Cox Richardson every day and check news sources that I trust. But I don't really see an end to this destructiveness and I also don't see a way to a better life elsewhere.
So, this has been a hard day.
SARS‑CoV‑2 (COVID-19)
ReplyDelete(which can be found and followed on Substack)
Hi all, please pay attention.
I just spoke with my CDC sources, and they say the risk to humans is increasing.
When asked why the CDC briefly posted and then deleted data on bird flu transmission between cats and people, the sources confirmed it showed transmission in two households.
They said the data was deleted under orders from the Trump administration.
There is no vaccine for bird flu.
DeleteIf you catch it, you have a 52% chance of survival.
Sen. Peter Welch and Rep Becca Balint (both D-VT), keep trying to get into government buildings in DC and being denied access. The usual Capitol police people have been sent away and a hired force has replaced them.
ReplyDelete"The DOGE bros have hired armed, private mercenaries, a company called Triple Canopy to replace security in US Federal buildings: formerly Xi Corp, formerly Blackwater. "
Bizarre.
Delete----Alan
Six weeks ago tonight I heard the ER doctor say, "Surgery within the hour!"
ReplyDeleteUpdate: I am healing well.
Six weeks? Think of it: Six weeks ago Jimmy Carter was still alive and Joe Biden was still President.
Feels like six years in some ways.
As I read this I kept thinking how brilliant Zelenskyy is to speak in terms that probably can't be resisted.
ReplyDelete'Let's do a deal': Zelenskyy touts Ukraine's rare earth stores to Trump
Donald Trump has said he wants Ukraine to supply the US with critical resources in exchange for financial support in its war with Russia.
Zelenskyy's brilliant offer
I suspect that Zelensky has one or more psychologists or psychiatrists on staff for such matters. He could, of course, be a natural.
Delete----Alan