Politics

[Red Leg]

Can't wait until we get rid of this stain.

View attachment 665717

Yeah, well if that stain hadn't been there, Trump wouldn't have a prayer of surviving this litany of court challenges before SCOTUS with his goals intact.

 

[YancyW]

No, It would have been preventing it. I have gone through this a dozen times already in this interminable nonsense and will not again.

Simply, the vast majority of the military support we have provided has been in kind. No dollars exchanged hands. We have hundreds of Bradley IFVs and M1 tanks moldering in desert storage. They will never ever be used by US troops again. When we made the decision to provide Ukraine with thirty tanks and 80 Brads, we could just as easily provided 300 tanks and 800 Brads. When we gave Ukraine 6 HIMARS launchers, we could have provided them with sixty. We could have started training their pilots for F-16's over two years ago. We did none of those things because the feckless Biden response was led by a national security advisor whose only real expertise was election law. In spite of that, the Ukrainians have fought the Russians to near collapse almost achieving what is in our critical national interests. But, with Vietnam and Afghanistan as backdrops, I suppose it is appropriate that we abandon them now and once again seize defeat from the jaws of victory - a defeat our grandchildren may pay for very dearly.

Ukraine Support Tracker - A Database of Military, Financial and Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

The Ukraine Support Tracker lists and quantifies military, financial and humanitarian aid promised by governments to Ukraine.

www.ifw-kiel.de

So when the admin does a security assistance package, which numbers well into the 20s at this point, through the USAI, would you count that as no dollars changing hands? That is majority and I would not consider that in-kind.

I understand the draw downs, but the bulk of the disbursed funding has been through USAI.

 

[Neophyte]

No, It would have been preventing it. I have gone through this a dozen times already in this interminable nonsense and will not again.

Simply, the vast majority of the military support we have provided has been in kind. No dollars exchanged hands. We have hundreds of Bradley IFVs and M1 tanks moldering in desert storage. They will never ever be used by US troops again. When we made the decision to provide Ukraine with thirty tanks and 80 Brads, we could just as easily provided 300 tanks and 800 Brads. When we gave Ukraine 6 HIMARS launchers, we could have provided them with sixty. We could have started training their pilots for F-16's over two years ago. We did none of those things because the feckless Biden response was led by a national security advisor whose only real expertise was election law. In spite of that, the Ukrainians have fought the Russians to near collapse almost achieving what is in our critical national interests. But, with Vietnam and Afghanistan as backdrops, I suppose it is appropriate that we abandon them now and once again seize defeat from the jaws of victory - a defeat our grandchildren may pay for very dearly.

We’ve snatched defeat from the jaws of victory since 1951.
With limited exception, supporting Israel, we should mind our own business and stay out of other country’s wars.

 

[lwaters]

We’ve snatched defeat from the jaws of victory since 1951.
With limited exception, supporting Israel, we should mind our own business and stay out of other country’s wars.

We should go ahead and make them a state. Cut their funding and they would be in trouble

 

[Red Leg]

Ukraine Support Tracker - A Database of Military, Financial and Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

The Ukraine Support Tracker lists and quantifies military, financial and humanitarian aid promised by governments to Ukraine.

www.ifw-kiel.de

So when the admin does a security assistance package, which numbers well into the 20s at this point, through the USAI, would you count that as no dollars changing hands? That is majority and I would not consider that in-kind.

I understand the draw downs, but the bulk of the disbursed funding has been through USAI.

I am only talking about military aid. It counts against the authorization and actual appropriation just as if real money was spent. For instance, if we provide an M1 tank, the army will spend something on spares and man hours bringing it to combat readiness. That package, including the value of the tank (that will never be sold) is deducted as a dollar value from the appropriated funds. It appears in the budget and to critics as an expenditure. But, except for perhaps some spares and mechanic labor who are not new hires, this is just an accounting drill. The older munitions we have provided, particularly rocket munitions, have relatively limited shelf life and had they not been demilitarized against Russians would have had to have been domestically at great expense. Nevertheless, every one of these rounds is given a value and that value is subtracted from the appropriation just as if it were actual money spent - even if it saves DOD money.

USAI funding also includes funding for training, support maintenance, etc. For instance, when a unit is designated to train tank crews in Poland, those man hours are deducted from the appropriation. However, that is not a new unit created for the purpose. Rather, an active or National Guard battalion typically, simply has its existing costs borne by a different appropriation. An accounting drill.

The State Department on the other hand has supported various aspects of Ukraine costs over the last three years. That can involve the transfer of actual funds to cover a host of things. It is an issue with which I only have peripheral professional experience.

I will simply reiterate, that the combat platforms and munitions we have provided overwhelmingly have been accounting drills for equipment we would eventually have to dispose of at significant cost. As an example, the armor of an M1 contains material that is both hazardous and very difficult to mitigate. The same is true of aging depleted uranium tank rounds which now have been expended penetrating T-72's.

 

[Jeff505]

"Vice President JD Vance urged European leaders on Friday to end the isolation of far-right parties across the continent, an extraordinary embrace of a once-fringe political movement with which the Trump administration shares a common approach on migration, identity and internet speech.

The address stunned and silenced hundreds of attendees at the Munich Security Conference, a forum where top-level politicians, diplomats and analysts had gathered expecting to hear President Trump’s plans for ending the war in Ukraine and Europe’s defense against a rising Russian threat.

The vice president singled out his German hosts, telling them to drop their objection to working with a party that has often reveled in banned Nazi slogans and has been shunned from government as a result. He did not mention the party, the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, by name, but directly referred to the longstanding agreement by mainstream German politicians to freeze out the group, parts of which have been formally classified as extremist by German intelligence."

Do you need more from the speech or is this enough?

So the government’s of Europe should decide if certain political ideology is acceptable or not and curtail free speech if it does not meet their standards. We in America know better and it is good and proper to spread and continually trumpet this message of freedom. The idea that the government can regulate thought and speech is abhorrent, weather communism, fascism or nazism we should fight socialism in whatever ugly form it takes. Reducing the size of government and bureaucracy is not not fascism contrary to talking points of the Democrats. As we all know and should continually confess “ Liberalism is a mental disorder”

 

[Tanks]

Not sure what rights an illegal alien has in this country...….

Bill of Rights and the Constitution applies to all, not just legal residents and citizens.

 

[Jeff505]

Illegal aliens are not allowed to vote, so not all provisions apply to non citizens.

 

[YancyW]

Illegal aliens are not allowed to vote, so not all provisions apply to non citizens.

Re-read the 15th amendment. Citizenship status is allowed to be used to prohibit voting.

​

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

 

[spike.t]

To me this is just bizarre, wholesale firings with absolutely no performance reviews and a very impersonal email. It really seems unprofessional and almost childish.
Firings at Department of Interior and the Forest Service, who is going to fight western fires , 10% at the CDC , who is going to keep the next Covid out of the country ( provided they learned something from the last Covid ) I could go on and on but I’m trying to watch my blood pressure!
All of that said if DOGE would stay in their lane ferreting out fraud and abuse it would be a blessing.

Another thing about them firing ALL probationary employees, you will always need some new blood to replace the old blood, seems like they could be throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Full disclosure, my daughter found out last week she was no longer a probationary employee so her job at the CDC may be safe for now but she is not very confident. Unfortunately she’s by herself in a house they just closed on in November and her husband left for Germany in January with a Naval reserve unit so she is enduring all of this alone. My wife spent the last week or so with her in Atlanta, so I don’t plan on seeing her much until the Son In Law gets home.

Trying times around the old Plumb house for sure.

I would have thought that there would have been some thinking put into certain departments before firing everyone.....

US goverment seeks to rehire recently fired nuclear workers

It is having problems contacting people who were fired in Trump's blitz to shrink the federal workforce.

www.bbc.com

 

[fourfive8]

Bill of Rights and the Constitution applies to all, not just legal residents and citizens.

Huh? If that were true then “citizen” would have no meaning. Yes, we have entered Crazy Town. On the other hand, that cock eyed philosophy does explain a lot.

 

[spike.t]

Watched some of the press conference this guy held...didn't hold back on his opinions of what's going on with the government and their hangers on.....he is not the only one of the senior war vets not happy....

*GEZA-MNANGAGWA SHOOT-OUT AT MILITARY BARRACKS*

*Sean Mnangagwa is in charge of the battalion tracking down Geza*

*15 February 2025*

THE ZIM BULLETIN #073

WhatsApp Group Invite

chat.whatsapp.com

Charles Moya

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party is facing escalating internal strife after soldiers allegedly loyal to Major Sean Mnangagwa, son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, attempted to capture prominent war veteran Blessed “Bombshell” Geza from a safe location. The attempted abduction, which reportedly ended in a shootout, has sent shockwaves through the country’s political landscape.

Geza, a senior Zanu-PF member and vocal critic of President Mnangagwa, has been at the forefront of opposing the controversial ED2030 project—an initiative aimed at extending the president’s rule beyond the constitutional limit. His open calls for Mnangagwa’s resignation, citing corruption and economic mismanagement, have made him a target within the ruling party.

The alleged involvement of Major Sean Mnangagwa, who serves in the Presidential Guard and has undergone military training with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has raised questions about growing factionalism within the military. Some analysts believe that elements within the armed forces are positioning themselves for a post-Mnangagwa era, leading to increased instability. “The military has always played a critical role in Zimbabwean politics, and when factions emerge within it, the consequences can be far-reaching,” political analyst Eldred Masunungure told reporters.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched an investigation into the attempted abduction and the subsequent gunfight, while also hunting for Geza in connection with what authorities claim are multiple criminal cases. However, his supporters argue that these charges are politically motivated. The divisions within Zanu-PF are widening, with some party members, including war veterans, expressing dissatisfaction with Mnangagwa’s leadership. Once a crucial support base for the president, war veterans are now openly criticizing his governance, accusing him of failing to address Zimbabwe’s economic decline.

Despite the backlash, Zanu-PF has dismissed Geza’s calls for Mnangagwa’s resignation as “rogue rantings,” reaffirming the party’s stance that the president’s leadership remains unchallenged. However, political observers warn that the situation could spiral into further unrest if the factional battles within the ruling party continue to escalate. With Zimbabwe’s economy struggling and citizens growing increasingly frustrated, the latest developments suggest that the country may be heading toward a deeper political crisis.

Mnangagwa is preparing to change the Constitution in order to enable himself to rule Zimbabwe until he dies

Harare Headlines

 

[Red Leg]

I would have thought that there would have been some thinking put into certain departments before firing everyone.....

US goverment seeks to rehire recently fired nuclear workers

It is having problems contacting people who were fired in Trump's blitz to shrink the federal workforce.

www.bbc.com

Can't make it up.

 

[mutedblade]

A question to those of you who are veterans.

Could the medical component of the VA be farmed out with vouchers to the private sector in the form of VA provided insurance?

Like I said, dealing with the VA for 21 years. I have dealt with Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (Phoenix, AZ.) '04-'07, Rocky Mountain Network (Denver, CO) '07-'13, and currently the Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (Richmond, VA)'13-Now. Each time I moved, the VA had to "redo" my care. Whatever had been tried previously needed to be redone because all of the Networks are their own entities with their own policies (yay government) and they don't communicate with one another.

I have literally been taken off medication that worked so THE NEW DOC could try the same old medication that didn't work. "Well, I haven't tried it yet and I'm required to do so" was the most common remark I'd get when I told them I'd already done this or that. They had all my medical records because I took them hard copies, but they refused to look at them because they came from "outside of the network". Imagine how much money the VA spends on this kind of redundancy. I had multiple MRI's at each facility because they wouldn't look at the others

For primary care, I have had at least 10 different docs, and sometimes they were just a PA, not even a Dr. Specialty clinics are even worse. You'll likely not see the same person 2x for the same problem because most of the doctors are just residents getting a bit of experience. From 2013-2024 at the same hospital, I had 44 visits to neurology for TBI with severe migraines. I saw 43 different doctors! Let that sink in for a second. 44 visits and 43 doctors all at the same clinic over 11 years.

To receive this awesome treatment, I have to drive 2 hours and then spend an hour or more to find a parking spot. A new clinic is opening an hour away from me next month, but none of the specialty clinics will be there, so I'll still need to go to McGuire for the majority of my care.

Vets would be better served if the .gov would issue Blue Cross Blue Shield or similar and allow us to find our own doctors while maybe providing references to some specialists if necessary.

 

[Brent in Az]

Bill of Rights and the Constitution applies to all, not just legal residents and citizens.

Tell us you're a California liberal, without telling us you're a California liberal.

 

[Red Leg]

Like I said, dealing with the VA for 21 years. I have dealt with Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (Phoenix, AZ.) '04-'07, Rocky Mountain Network (Denver, CO) '07-'13, and currently the Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (Richmond, VA)'13-Now. Each time I moved, the VA had to "redo" my care. Whatever had been tried previously needed to be redone because all of the Networks are their own entities with their own policies (yay government) and they don't communicate with one another.

I have literally been taken off medication that worked so THE NEW DOC could try the same old medication that didn't work. "Well, I haven't tried it yet and I'm required to do so" was the most common remark I'd get when I told them I'd already done this or that. They had all my medical records because I took them hard copies, but they refused to look at them because they came from "outside of the network". Imagine how much money the VA spends on this kind of redundancy. I had multiple MRI's at each facility because they wouldn't look at the others

For primary care, I have had at least 10 different docs, and sometimes they were just a PA, not even a Dr. Specialty clinics are even worse. You'll likely not see the same person 2x for the same problem because most of the doctors are just residents getting a bit of experience. From 2013-2024 at the same hospital, I had 44 visits to neurology for TBI with severe migraines. I saw 43 different doctors! Let that sink in for a second. 44 visits and 43 doctors all at the same clinic over 11 years.

To receive this awesome treatment, I have to drive 2 hours and then spend an hour or more to find a parking spot. A new clinic is opening an hour away from me next month, but none of the specialty clinics will be there, so I'll still need to go to McGuire for the majority of my care.

Vets would be better served if the .gov would issue Blue Cross Blue Shield or similar and allow us to find our own doctors while maybe providing references to some specialists if necessary.

In fairness, had you moved that many times among civilian geographic regions and networks, you would have had very much the same experiences. Because of liabilities, no doctor ever fully trusts the findings of another. All will want there own testing and few pay much attention to previous medical records except for very specialized treatment requirements.

 

[YancyW]

Curious if anyone else is watching the Canada/US hockey game? Canadians booing the US national anthem, three fights in the first minute of the game, a bunch of Canadian fans wearing Trump wigs. May be nothing, may be an indication of how Canadians actually feel about Trump’s ridiculous comments.

Scoreboard!!

 

[Red Leg]

Huh? If that were true then “citizen” would have no meaning. Yes, we have entered Crazy Town. On the other hand, that cock eyed philosophy does explain a lot.

He is correct. Most rights are attached to "personhood" rather than citizenship. A good example is the 5th amendment which reads in part,

“no person … shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Strict constructionists should appreciate the clarity of that language.

That said, there are a number of exceptions that have been codified in law or precedent that deal with apprehensions in the border area and also forms of expedited due process that have withstood court challenges.

Asylum seekers have been treated differently, which is why stopping them before entering the country was a key provision of Trump's first administration. Thanks to the Biden administration's open door, many of those are now here, and it will be interesting to see how the courts respond to the Trump administration's zero tolerance policy with respect to them.

 

[YancyW]

Tell us you're a California liberal, without telling us you're a California liberal.

The founders wrote the constitution as a limit on government, they didn't believe your rights came from the government, they believed those rights existed outside of any government.

 

[gbflyer]

I would have thought that there would have been some thinking put into certain departments before firing everyone.....

US goverment seeks to rehire recently fired nuclear workers

It is having problems contacting people who were fired in Trump's blitz to shrink the federal workforce.

www.bbc.com

Administration is making way for a blue wave come the midterms.