Paula Gibbons Schriefer

US foreign assistance programs all have buy American requirements for the aid that is provided, from food or other goods purchased to any airline travel by staff or participants, etc. it all helps the US economy while helping others. It’s such a win-win for the American people.

Farmers on the hook for millions after Trump freezes USDA funds The White House had repeatedly said the funding freeze would not impact benefits that go directly to individuals.

Farmers report missing millions of dollars of funding they were promised by the U.S. Agriculture Department, despite promises from the Trump administration that a federal funding freeze would not apply to projects directly benefiting individuals.

Vance Says ‘Judges Aren’t Allowed to Control’ Trump’s ‘Legitimate Power’ The declaration by the vice president came as court orders have temporarily blocked parts of the Trump administration’s agenda.

As judges increasingly block Trump orders they deem potentially illegal or unconstitutional, Trump, Vance and Musk go on the offense and raise the question of whether they will ultimately defy the courts. @charliesavage.bsky.social Minho Kim www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/u...

American soft power makes us great • Colorado Newsline Trump has paradoxically spent weeks gutting programs and dismantling institutions that have exemplified American greatness for decades.

coloradonewsline.com/2025/02/08/a... My thoughts on the needless and damaging attacks on US foreign assistance

The White House’s wildly inaccurate claims about USAID spending There is nothing big or small they won’t lie about.

Very cool! Big fan of Tina Griego.

The U.S. Department of Labor is organizing a protest. Elon Musk’s staff will be present at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C., today at 4 p.m. It was mentioned that staff should plan to stay late after the 4 p.m. meeting to assist with setting up Elon Musk staffers into their systems.

Total USAID annual spending to provide food, medicine, shelter and other services to impoverished countries around the world: $38 billion

Total increase in Elon Musk's personal net worth since the November election: $156 billion

Yes, it does. And the truly scary thing is that it may have actually been negotiated with them in advance. There should be special in-depth reports in what’s happening on every major media outlet and instead they are focusing most attn on Emmy’s coverage.

Yes. Rubio has been an embarrassment since he bent the knee to Trump to try to remain relevant. He will go down as one of the most pathetic Secs of State in history. He has long abandoned every principle he ever had.

Yep, very scary. Russia and China must be literally dancing with delight at our stupidity right now.

Most of my career was spent promoting democracy and HRs with USAID and St Dept funding. I proudly worked with some of the smartest, hardest working people in the world. No wonder the likes of Musk and his cronies wants to shut it down.

www.facebook.com/share/v/1AKR... Liking Tim Kaine more and more

This is so deeply disturbing on so many levels. Not only the because of the petty vengefulness but the obvious encouragement of violence as a way to instill fear and loyalty.

History Will Judge the Complicit Why have Republican leaders abandoned their principles in support of an immoral and dangerous president?

www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc... This would be a good time for our political leaders to reread this excellent article from 2020 by Anne Applebaum on the nature of complicity.

We are witnessing a purge of all possible opposition and the institutions and people who should be providing guardrails are paralyzed, attempting to normalize what’s happening, or cooperating.

We are witnessing the most audacious power grab ever attempted by a president in US history—seizing powers that belong to congress while attempting to muzzle officials from speaking out and stoking fear and confusion.

For once, I’m just speechless. It’s pure insanity.

I wonder when Trumpers will figure out who plants, cultivates and harvests our food? 😢

Opinion | Pete Hegseth Is the Secretary of Defense We Deserve If you thought the former TV host would be asked important questions at his confirmation hearing, you are under the illusion that we live in a serious country.

We Deserve Pete Hegseth www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/o... I fear Brooks is 100% right, both regarding the laughable qualifications of the nominee and the lack of serious questioning by both parties.