10 more reasons for modest optimism Friends,

10 more reasons for modest optimism
open.substack.com/pub/robertre...

Emergency Video: The Ukraine Disgrace I’m ashamed today, and I know you feel the same way.

Emergency Video: The Ukraine Disgrace
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

@nytimes.com @washingtonpost.com ICYMI

Thanks for your accurate forecasts.

We are not on the brink anymore.

link.apnews.com/click/385616...

Judge finds Trump administration hasn’t fully followed his order to unfreeze federal spending. Follow live updates. - The Boston Globe A federal judge found there’s evidence that some federal grants and loans are still not going out to the recipients and ordered that the cash be released.

A federal judge found that the Trump administration hasn’t fully followed his order to unfreeze federal spending and ordered the White House to release all money.

Follow live updates.

When Politicians Don’t Seem to Know How Words Work - Assertive Spirituality A communication scholar explains why recent anti- DEI word banning lists in the US are impractical as well as worth resisting.

Brand new blog post by DS Leiter (com scholar who started this project) about the banned words list that’s been circulating around government agencies, how it does violence to the very idea of language as well as freedom and rights, and how to respond: assertivespirituality.com/2025/02/08/w...

Trump makes misleading claims about government payments to Politico. Here's a fact check. Records show federal agencies, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers, paid for subscriptions to Politico. But the company says it's never received federal subsidies.

CBS News.... Please.. please.. Stop saying "misleading" when they are lying. They are intentionally using propaganda to manipulate their viewers. It is intentional

heading: "Trump makes misleading claims about government payments to Politico. Here's a fact check."

www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-p...

Musk Wields Scythe on Federal Work Force, With Trump’s Full Blessing The president defended Elon Musk’s role in seeking to slash budgets and cut payrolls as the young aides burrowing into federal agencies came under scrutiny.

"Sending Mr. Musk into the Pentagon, the department with the single biggest discretionary budget, creates a clear conflict of interest: The Defense Department has billions of dollars in contracts with Mr. Musk through SpaceX and other companies he owns." www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...

US health department condemns private equity firms for role in declining healthcare access Government report says private equity investment in nursing homes led to 11% increase in patient deaths

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

YouTube video by Just Talking Season 2, Episode 45: Luke 4.21-30. Lectionary C, Epiphany 4

New Episode of “Just Talking” Now Online!

Lectionary Readings in the context of Love, Inclusion, & Social Justice

Season 2, Episode 45: Luke 4.21-30. Lectionary C, Epiphany 4

youtu.be/QvkLvja5a1g?...

Text:

“This rage against equity and inclusive justice today is the same rage that placed the central figure of our gospel stories on a Roman cross.”

RHM Recommended Reading for February

Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter
by Kelly Brown Douglas

renewedheartministries.com/news/RHM-Rec...

New Episode of “Just Talking” Now Online!

Lectionary Readings in the context of Love, Inclusion, & Social Justice

Season 3, Episode 1: Luke 5.1-11. Lectionary C, Epiphany 5

youtu.be/TzK1szEwbmA?...

Trump energy secretary allowed 23-year-old DOGE rep to access IT systems over objections from general counsel | CNN Concerns were raised that the DOGE rep — a former SpaceX intern — did not have the background investigation required to access the Department of Energy’s system.

Trump energy secretary allowed 23-year-old DOGE rep Luke Farritor to access IT systems over objections from general counsel. Farritor didn’t have a standard background investigation needed to access the system. He’s not cleared to be in DOE, on our systems. None of those things have been done.

Elon Musk draws outrage over 'odd-looking salute' at Trump inauguration celebration The world’s richest man drew a ton of attention over an ill-advised “salute” he did on stage.

Called it

bsky.app/profile/skyv...