Category: Politics and Government

A Little Reading Might Help

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Recommended Reading to Help Understand, Resist, Rebuild

First, A Little Detour

Before we begin our main discussion, I wanted to share a separate thought with you. Many of us will remember that a lot of people enjoy playing the game of determining what is someone’s “spirit animal.” I sort of gave that up when I told people I thought theirs might be a sloth or a skunk, and they did not take it well. But over the past few days, I think we can agree on Trump’s spirit animal. I think it is the common house cat.

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WHAT YOU GET WHEN ONE ISSUE GROUPS PUT UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE IN CHARGE

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The Musk Mess Is Epically Destructive – And Completely Predictable

The Musk & Company Cuts

People are, at different paces and levels of attention, are beginning to figure out that the chainsaw cuts in government generated by DOGE are about as ineffective – and stupid – as one could imagine. Even people who really would like to see large government cuts are slowly but surely figuring out none of this works as it is being done.

A couple of framing thoughts to keep in mind.

First, the idea of looking for opportunities to increase government efficiency and to save costs is never a bad idea.

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There Is A Champagne Shortage

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No, Not Here. In Moscow and Beijing

“I Can’t Believe Our Good Luck”

That must be the phrase being repeated daily in the capitals of Russia and China. In just the first couple of weeks, the Republican administration has gone to a European security conference and first offered up everything the Russians could hope for out of Ukraine, with nothing demanded in turn. Our new not ready for prime time Defense Secretary was a one man disaster at the conference. He was clueless as to what the situation demanded. So much for American leadership.

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In Case You Missed It

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Cruelty Is Not A Byproduct – It’s The Point

Government by Trump

As has been noted widely, there is a lot of chaos and confusion around government a la Trump. That is not surprising. We saw that last time and expected even more of all that on this round. Part of that is Trump’s nature – he thrives on conflict, anger, resentment, and confusion. Part of that is strategy – keeping people confused and feeling overwhelmed gives team Trump more maneuvering room to get done what they hope to accomplish.

Two other pillars of this bunch are cruelty and destruction.

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Odds and Ends

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Notes on Assorted Topics- Mostly Politics, But Not All

The Gutting Of Government is Well Underway

As expected, the taking of hatchets to government is under way at full throttle. As one would expect from a Trump initiative, it is being done with zero thought to impacts or smooth execution. Just ripping things and people apart. It is worth noting that this is being done for several reasons, and those reasons tell you who is driving the processes and why.

There are the Plan 2025 people, led by the nominated Director of OMB,

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What If History Was Changed?

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How Might a Few Changes Affect the World?

Not a New Idea

The idea of history coming out differently at some key point, and the changes that could happen as a result, are not exactly new ideas. This play on variants has a long history among historians and among fiction writers. Still, always a fun and perhaps useful line of thought to pursue.

Looking at such scenarios makes one think about how things, people, and events are so intricately involved in real life. Any change, even a small one or a single incident, could have monumental effects.

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Well, Here We Are

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 A Time of Infamy Began at Noon Yesterday

The Irony of January 20

Ironic, isn’t it? On the single day yesterday of January 20 we celebrated the life and work of a man dedicated to service and hope, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ; continued an official period of mourning the death of a president who personified service and morality; and on the same day inaugurated an individual who is the very opposite of character, caring, and competence. What a day. That Trump sniveled about flags being at half-mast in honor of someone besides himself says it all.

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Get Used to Weird Weather

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Mother Nature is Offering Lessons

Climate Change

Remarkable would be the kindest word one could use to describe a reaction to those who still, incredibly, do not accept the reality of climate change. This is perhaps the largest example of willful ignorance in our time. The science is overwhelming and confirmatory in every sector of study and analysis.

We were warned some time ago that when the average global temperature (admittedly, a difficult thing to measure) rose by more than 1.5 degrees, there would be hell to pay. A growing body of evidence it cited that we have now crossed that line and sure enough,

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Well, That Didn’t Take Long, Did It?

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Early Previews of Trump II – Still a Mess

Told You So

We noted in this space a few weeks ago that as much damage as Trump II could do – and there will be much – the damage will be limited by the lack of self-discipline by the man himself. Trump prefers chaos and has zero interest in governing or in actually accomplishing governance.

The period since the election, especially this past week, shows how true that is. What a circus. Some days, one cannot decide whether to laugh or cry.

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The Three Questions We Raised Last Week

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How Bad Is It, Anything Helpful Out There, Focus on the Next 18+ Months?

Where We Are, How Do We Proceed

Things may not be quite as bad as the image at the top of this post, but you get the point.

Last week, after a welcome and helpful time for reflection, we talked a bit about that infamous election and what we know it meant, vs all the speculation about why it happened. We promised this week to take up the three questions that arise from a recognition as to where we are as a country.

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