Empty Bag of Ducks📎

Having a named operation unlocks additional authorities for the JTF and SOUTHCOM. That the JTF and operation have the same name doesn’t really mean anything. The JTF has the lead for the operation

22 months of cancer treatment. In excess of $2m has now been billed to my insurance.

I’ve only paid my $2k deductible

5 surgeries
A litany of procedures, CT/MRI scans, and hospitalizations
Chemo drugs that were $30k a dose with $10k co-pays

Insanity

First the Waxwings. Now I have a flock of about 30 Robins. Our house is on a severe slope, so I’m watching them in the canopy. A number have decided to check out our deck. I’ve never seen so many in one place. The kind of numbers I associate with Starlings…..

Today was an annual highlight, a mass of Cedar Waxwings descending on my hickory trees as they migrate.

Trying to understand how what Hegseth is saying differs from spiral development that’s already a fairly entrenched approach.

Amen to trashing PPBE and JCIDS processes. I sat through to many FCBs, JCBs and even the occasional JROC wondering what the hell are we doing here?

He was the primary author

This is a classic form of voter intimidation—making people feel like it’s not safe to go to the polls. It moments like this where we need to summon our courage & vote anyhow. Vote in the tradition of the people who marched in Selma to secure the right to vote.

Unless they choose to ignore it, the law says furloughed workers do get back pay.

You know who else weaponized hunger? Stalin

That brings back memories. Started to hallucinate once.

Speaking from current experience, I wholeheartedly concur

as someone who spent most of my career in that realm, you are spot on

S & Ms

a photo of the scholar w.e.b. du bois, a black man wearing a suit. he is balding with an up-turned mustache and small chin beard. he is staring straight at the camera as if to tell us to please listen to smart people like him now and in the future. text reads: should listened to du bois.

He was right about it all.

Over 71 million Americans are paid less than a living wage, and are forced into social safety nets like SNAP.

If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them.

Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.

Dr. Jacobs is raising an important point between the intersection of community and politics. Organizing support for local food banks (and getting people to them or delivered) in reaction to SNAP cut off is a version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

I get these fact-checks re tylenol/Autism lawsuit but what is very much needed is messaging of "If you think your kids' autism diagnosis is that devastating, please seek help before your child feels the effect of your anti-autism views."

That is a hugely expensive trip. USTRANSCOM will have to devote dozens of C-17 tails just for all the support equipment/personnel, as well as air refueling assets. It’s not just Air Force One.

This will rapidly deplete the Transportation Working Capital Fund that TRANSCOM operates on.

I dislike "big tent." I like "solidarity." Solidarity holds on even when it's unpopular, which is dangerous, but it doesn't let people go. I distrust those willing to give up this group to get that group while saying "we need all groups." We DO need all groups; so hold tightest to marginal groups.

If the shut down continues eventually TRANSCOM’s working capital fund will run out of money. Shuts down the DoD’s global distribution network. Also shuts down aerial refueling.

The “oh well he was in the military, of course he’s racist” type arguments are getting on my nerves, condescending bullshit from people who have no idea how big and diverse the military is

There is something deeply unsettling to see your insurance company has approved hospice services before your medical oncologist has said a word about ending treatment.

A fucking CSG?

If you keep lowering your standards to “win” against the other side, eventually you’ll just be on the other side

Color photo of the East Wing of the White House in ruins behind a construction site barrier. Two American flags are visible waving in the wind.

Seeing the destruction of the White House makes me emotional because Trump is so visibly flaunting the absence of constraints to his abuse of authority.

He’s tearing down parts of the People’s House to construct a massive fascist temple where people will come to pay tribute to him.

It’s grotesque.

Woodworking bench with tools on it

My first build was Chris’s Roubio done mainly with hand tools I had restored. Repurposed some Lee Valley vises. Yes, I’m a lefty!

A friend shared the new federal civil service hiring procedures today. So glad I’ve retired and don’t have to deal with this crap as a hiring manager.

Complete shit show….and you will live with the consequences for decades.

One of the joys of where I live is that from spring through autumn I have the sound of the frogs along the creek and in the woods behind me each evening.

I get a No Kings rally every night. I find it soothing.