t0000 2.0, aka 47

[maplenpg]

I'd be really interested to know what the reaction has been to the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural?

'This is not the end': Removal of Black Lives Matter mural begins in DC

“There was a movement, and there’s still going to be a movement,\

eu.usatoday.com

 

[barnswallow]

Sad day. Kevin Drum has passed. 3.7.25. He wrote ‘Political Animal’ at the Washington Monthly. He retired from there some long while ago and started his own blog, ‘jabberwocking’. Always took a moment on Cat Fridays to post photos of cats, usually his own. A statistician. He’d call out bad reporting after doing his own crunching of the numbers. An independent thinker who was always worth a read.

Arms to Ukraine halted - Kevin Drum

It's official: The U.S. will pause all military aid to Kyiv until President Trump determines that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is making a good-faith effort toward peace negotiations with Russia, according to a White House official. Trump's revenge is now complete.

jabberwocking.com

Arms to Ukraine halted [Kevin Drum.3.3.25]

He’d had cancer for several years. He kept writing throughout.

I’m just going to post a few entries.

Trump plans to halt arms to Ukraine, sanctions on Russia - Kevin Drum

The other shoe drops: The Trump administration has stopped financing new weapons sales to Ukraine and is considering freezing weapons shipments from U.S. stockpiles, moves that threaten Kyiv’s ability to fight at a critical time in its battle against Russian forces, current and former U.S...

jabberwocking.com

Trump plans to halt arms to Ukraine, sanctions on Russia [Kevin Drum;3.3.25]

Smoke-and-mirrors budgeting is everywhere - Kevin Drum

Republicans love smoke-and-mirrors budgeting. They're laying off thousands of workers chaotically even though salary costs are a tiny fraction of the federal budget. Elon Musk is pretending to save far more money than he really is. Now Senate Republicans are trying to hide the cost of extending...

jabberwocking.com

Smoke-and-mirrors budgeting is everywhere [Kevin Drum;3.4.25]

I’ll post this now and come back and add to it. Actually, I drew Kevin into one of my pictures. With one of his cats.

 

[barnswallow]

Another from Drum:

Destruction of Canada begins tomorrow - Kevin Drum

Donald Trump plans to levy 25% tariffs across the board on Canada tomorrow:¹ The result, an overwhelming majority of economists agree, would be inflation and supply disruption in the United States, while Canadian industries could face large-scale layoffs. Inflation in the US and unemployment in...

jabberwocking.com

Destruction of Canada begins tomorrow [Kevin Drum;3.3.25]

Republicans have lost trust in the media - Kevin Drum

For some reason MAGAnauts are suddenly highlighting a Gallup poll from October about trust in media.

jabberwocking.com

Republicans have lost trust in the media Kevin Drum;3.3.25]

Howard Lutnick believes in GDP fairies - Kevin Drum

Our economic betters speak their wisdom: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that government spending could be separated from gross domestic product reports in response to questions about whether the spending cuts pushed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency could possibly...

jabberwocking.com

Howard Lutnick believes in GDP fairies [Kevin Drum;3.2.25]

 

[barnswallow]

Some more Drum.

So how’s it going in the friendly skies these days? - Kevin Drum

A conversation about airline safety in the era of DOGE and Elon Musk: Rolling Stone: FAA Officials Ordered Staff to Find Funding for Elon Musk’s Starlink James Fallows, longtime private pilot: Corrupt? Sure. But also directly dangerous? And how! FAA has done careful, long testing /study of new...

jabberwocking.com

So how’s it going in the friendly skies these days? [Kevin Drum;3.2.25]

Dumbest. Idea. Ever. - Kevin Drum

I admit that the contest for stupidest idea of the Trump administration is heated and contentious. But surely this must be strongly in the running: Crypto prices surged Sunday after President Trump said he would move forward on a U.S. crypto strategic reserve that will include bitcoin and ether...

jabberwocking.com

Dumbest. Idea. Ever. [Kevin Drum;3.2.25]

He had a wry sense of humor.

Trump kills elite tech group because it’s too woke - Kevin Drum

About a month ago a fellow named Luke Rosiak, author of a book on the Deep State, decided to tweet about 18F,

jabberwocking.com

Trump kills elite tech group because it’s too woke [Kevin Drum;3.2.25]

 

[barnswallow]

Don’t want to stop yet. I used to read him a lot. Then, for whatever reason - distracted by other sites - also a season of computer problems that interrupted my usual habits - also, lost my password or some other impediment kept me away - anyhow, I often checked in on what ha had to say. Now, re-visiting I’m sorry I wasn’t more attentive.

[ My NOTE: Oh! I'm happy that I started this thread with a Kevin Drum post! Phew. He compiled a bunch of graphs showing the state of the country at the end of President Biden’s term and before the adjudicated criminal took over. They address a bunch of different parameters. Check it out. Post #1 for this thread. What we gave up in this country and for what?]

English is now our official language - Kevin Drum

Donald Trump signed an executive order today making English the official language of the US. But it was surprisingly diffident: Nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to...

jabberwocking.com

English is now our official language [Kevin Drum;3.1.25]

DOGE wants to check if you’re really eligible for the vast riches of SNAP - Kevin Drum

A pair of DOGE bros want access to IRS data to check for benefit cheating: Kliger and Corcos, according to records obtained by The Post, specifically mentioned investigating eligibility and fraud within student loan and grant programs and SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...

jabberwocking.com

DOGE wants to check if you’re really eligible for the vast riches of SNAP [Kevin Drum;3.1.25]

The real story behind the downfall of USAID - Kevin Drum

In its initial incarnation USAID was a Cold War agency designed to help poor countries, but also to ensure that the United States was very visibly the one doing the helping. This focus produced both considerable efficiency and bipartisan support. When the Cold War ended, USAID lost some of its...

jabberwocking.com

The real story behind the downfall of USAID [Kevin Drum;3.1.25]

The guy was good.

The header always contains a favored quotation. So for the previous post it was: “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster. For when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. —Friedrich Nietzsche”

Raw data: The rise of the far right in Europe - Kevin Drum

According to the Economist, here are the fates of Europe's main parties from about 2000 to the present: Mainstream center-left and center-right parties have dropped a combined 20 points. Hard right parties have gone up about 20 points. So far, hard right parties have mostly been kept out of...

jabberwocking.com

Raw data: The rise of the far right in Europe [Kevin Drum;3.1.25]

Trump has almost no supporters over Ukraine - Kevin Drum

Are you interested in who supports whom after today's revenge fest in the Oval Office? Here's the scorecard: That's 25-2 by my count, with Italy remaining neutral.

jabberwocking.com

Trump has almost no supporters over Ukraine [Kevin Drum ;2.28.25]

 

[barnswallow]

Still. . .

Trump is merrily ending civil rights protections for everyone - Kevin Drum

Donald Trump has been on a tear to eliminate DEI programs throughout the federal government. Now, in one sense, he clearly ran on this, so fair enough. What's more, if we're talking about killing Robin DiAngelo programs or similar beacons of enlightenment, well, even a lot of liberals will cheer...

jabberwocking.com

Trump is merrily ending civil rights protections for everyone [Kevin Drum;2.28.25]

January 6 prosecutors demoted to entry-level jobs - Kevin Drum

Trump attack dog Ed Martin, the US Attorney for Washington DC, has demoted seven prosecutors in the DC office: The prosecutors are among a larger group targeted for “retribution” by President Donald Trump...because of their roles in Jan. 6 Capitol seditious conspiracy and riot cases and others...

jabberwocking.com

January 6 prosecutors demoted to entry-level jobs [Kevin Drum;2.28.25]

Quotation of the day: “The internet makes smart people smarter and dumb people dumber. —Kevin Drum”

In Ukraine, it’s all about revenge - Kevin Drum

I want to reiterate something: Donald Trump has been plotting his revenge against Volodymyr Zelensky ever since 2019, when Trump was impeached for trying to extort dirt on Joe Biden from Zelensky. Trump is not especially pro-Putin on Ukraine and never has been. But he hates Zelensky, and he's...

jabberwocking.com

In Ukraine, it’s all about revenge [Kevin Drum;2.28.25]

Quotation of the day: “Those who use "Correlation is not the same as causation" as a magic incantation to dismiss all fact-using professions are fools holding a lit match in one hand and an open gas can in the other. —David Brin”

Jeese. If this is really the case. . . I mean re t0000’s seeking vengeance against Zelinsky, maybe Zelinsky should step down. Would that stop t0000’s wickedness? Nah . . .

 

[barnswallow]

I'd be really interested to know what the reaction has been to the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural?

'This is not the end': Removal of Black Lives Matter mural begins in DC

“There was a movement, and there’s still going to be a movement,\

eu.usatoday.com

I’ll look around. I have only seen photos and headlines that the mural will be removed.

People are demonstrating about other things like the man who has ‘disappeared’, a Columbia U. Student, married w a green card, who was picked up by ICE and removed to an undisclosed location. Mahmoud Khalil is his name, I think. His wife, 8 months pregnant, went to look for him in New Jersey as she’d been informed he was at some facility there. Nope. She was then informed he’s at a holding facility in Louisiana. This disappearance is a clear violation of civil rights.

What else has people upset? People are upset about severe cuts to scientific research, about tariffs, about Canada, Ukraine, musk, etc. Etc. Etc.

I hate to say it but the mural seems less significant, at this point. I’ll post more about protests taking place, as I encounter them. For example, they are occurring at Town Halls.

republicans returning to their red districts while on recess customarily meet their constituents at Town Halls. I’ve posted some videos w info on those. People are pissed . . . about the economy, about job cuts, about threatened cuts to social services. Video of these events show very rowdy crowds with a person standing up and yelling at the representative while the rest yell affirmations of support. The Republican Party has now made it a policy suggestion that elected reps stop holding these events. Oh. And, of course, they continue their lying ways and claim the people at the Town Halls are plants, so what’s the use of holding town halls? As a political juggernaut, all have received a talking points memo and they never deviate.

 

[barnswallow]

I'd be really interested to know what the reaction has been to the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural?

'This is not the end': Removal of Black Lives Matter mural begins in DC

“There was a movement, and there’s still going to be a movement,\

eu.usatoday.com

There is an intense attack coming from the white house and all republicans and maga and the far right blogosphere directed at DEI [diversity, equity & inclusion]. Black Lives Matter is invisible. People who enact atrocities are celebrated and feted. The tate brothers, for example. People of color, women, trans people are summarily fired, where found. [Note on re-visiting this a day later: what I wrote is exaggerated. But the idea that people achieved high positions not by merit but due to DEI policies is real is an implied feature of some higher profile firings.]

Here is Suri Crowe talking about the tate brothers.

Trump Role in INTERNATIONAL Criminal Scandal Takes CENTER STAGE [Meidas Touch;3.1.25]

Obviously this is separate from Black Lives Matter. They are related though as targeted groups. My point is that some people are still in the shock-&-awe phase. And, some like what’s happening. But t0000’s and musk’s approval numbers are perhaps starting to tank. Cordinated responses are only beginning, maybe.

 

[barnswallow]

Do you think a recession would be the one thing that Trump might not be able to recover from given that many of his supporters see him as a keen businessman?

Gosh. It might be the thing that none of us recover from. I’ve heard speculation of stagflation or depression. t0000’s economic policy is chaotic and unintelligible and without thought or analysis. It's seeming only explanation is total destruction.

 

[barnswallow]

This is the Morning Memo from 'Talking Points Memo', an 'independent news organization.' I feel apologetic because it's just another news dump, courtesy of the t0000 administration. It's become a daily event. I'll post just two days' worth to convey a sense of the pandemonium. Note that though each day has its own headline, beneath the fold is a summary of the most important recent events.

Senior Ranks Of DOJ Hit With New Wave Of Trump Purges

A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Senior Ranks Of DOJ Hit With New Wave Of Trump Purges [TPM Morning Memo; 3.10.25]
Beneath the title it says, 'Inside: Eric Adams, Stephen Miller, Elon Musk.'

The second Morning Memo:

Trump DOJ Befools Itself Over Restoring Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Trump DOJ Befools Itself Over Restoring Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights [TPM Morning Memo;3.11.25]]

Beneath the headline: INSIDE: Ed Martin ... Mahmoud Khalil ... RFK Jr.

Here's one of the stories. I'm posting it because I mentioned it in conversation with @maplenpg:

Federal Judge Halts Deportation Of Mahmoud Khalil​

The Trump administration’s detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil not because he broke any laws – at least not that’s been yet alleged – but because they disagree with his politics marks a seismic shift in American political life.

In a rapid series of events over the weekend and into Monday:

• Khalil was detained in NYC and the quickly transferred to a detention center in a remote area of Louisiana.
• Khalil’s lawyers alleged that they filed for a writ of habeas corpus in federal court in Manhattan before Khalil was transferred to Louisiana, meaning jurisdiction should remain in New York. They are clearly trying to avoid having the case heard in Louisiana, which is in the Fifth Circuit, the most conservative circuit in the country.
• U.S. District Jesse Furman of Manhattan ordered that Khalil not be deported and set a hearing in the case for Wednesday.

The Trump administration confirmed that Khalil was in custody but did not provide a coherent legal basis for his detention. On social media, President Trump celebrated Khalil’s detention and smeared him as “pro-Hamas” and “terrorist sympathizer.” “This is the first arrest of many to come,” the President promised.

For more context and analysis:

• Steve Vladeck: “To spoil the punchline, although what the government has done to this point is profoundly disturbing, and is, in my view, unconstitutional retaliation for First Amendment-protected speech, I’m not sure it is as clearly unlawful as a lot of folks online have suggested. And that’s a pretty big problem all by itself.”
• Michelle Goldberg: “If someone legally in the United States can be grabbed from his home for engaging in constitutionally protected political activity, we are in a drastically different country from the one we inhabited before Trump’s inauguration.”
• John Ganz: “Here’s the most important thing about this whole affair: The state cannot make it up as it goes along. It can’t seize people in the night and invent flimsy pretexts later. And if it does, then we no longer live under the rule of law, we live under a police state. And don’t kid yourself: They will not stop at non-citizens.

 

[barnswallow]

Here’s one with Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota and 2024 candidate for VP on Kamala Harris’ ticket, on the talk show ‘All in w Chris Hayes’ giving his take on the t0000 administration’s first 50 days of chaos,

All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris.bsky.social)

WATCH: "So many Minnesotans are asking, "When was Canada our enemy?" says Gov. Tim Walz.

bsky.app

 

[barnswallow]

Here’s Legal AF, Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifolo, lawyers, giving their analysis of some of the latest moves of the t0000 administration. It’s long form!, a little over an hour! But that’s good. They explain the legal implications of everything so even I can understand, at least for a little while! Have a listen while you cook dinner, or iron your clothes. These shows can be listened to on podcast platforms, also.


LIVE: Walls CLOSE IN on Trump & DOGE in COURT | Legal AF [MTN;3.12.25]

Blurb: “Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo are back on the top-rated Legal AF podcast and debating: a landmark order against DOGE and Musk forcing them to reveal themselves to the American People; another appellate court rules against Trump's attempt to rip birthright citizenship from the Constitution; a new order about DOGE's efforts to chloroform a federal aid agency founded by Congress; the Trump Administration's attempts to deny a NY federal judge jurisdiction by whisking a green card holder who expresses views the Administration doesn't like, to red state Louisiana; and so much more at the intersection of law and politics.”

Some really important stuff there, maybe the last one I highlighted the most so. It refers to the case of Mahmoud Khalil, which is also the subject of post #90, just above. His case has to do with First Amendment protections: even if we don't agree with the guy (as Legal AF states in their commentary), it's protected speech. On the other hand, it's possible that Khalil made real violations of our laws, which changes the case. Still we don't, as a nation, whisk people away and deny them due process. Popok and Agnifilo explain all angles of the situation really well. We need to understand the significance of what's happening to who we are as a nation and they know where to shine the light.

 

[barnswallow]

I'd be really interested to know what the reaction has been to the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural?

'This is not the end': Removal of Black Lives Matter mural begins in DC

“There was a movement, and there’s still going to be a movement,\

eu.usatoday.com

Here's some more information about the removal. It's not really any more informative than what you've already posted @maplenpg. It's all I came up with. There are way bigger fish to fry right now. I think people here in the U.S. see it that way right now.

‘Cannot erase our history': Black Lives Matter Plaza honored before removal begins

Work to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza began Monday, a day after more than 50 members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity gathered to remind people what the ground mural means to the African American community.

www.nbcwashington.com

‘Cannot erase our history': Black Lives Matter Plaza honored before removal begins [NBC4 Washington; 3.10.25]

DC Mayor to Remove Black Lives Matter Mural in DC

Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., will be getting removed and its ground mural is set to be painted

ijr.com

DC Mayor to Remove Black Lives Matter Mural in DC [Independent Journal Review;3.6.25]

It's going to go from being a pedestrian plaza back to a thoroughfare for vehicle traffic. The mayor made the decision to forfeit the plaza in favor of protecting residents of DC.

From the IJR article:
"After George Floyd was killed during the summer of 2020, which sparked protests across the country, two blocks of 16th Street NW which is situated just north of the White House, was designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza. The ground mural was unveiled June 5, 2020, and despite being paved over and replaced, Bowser had announced in October 2021, that the new mural would be a permanent installation.

"The removal could signal a preemptive move on Bowser’s part, after U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) introduced legislation on Monday that would force the mayor to rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza or risk losing federal funding if passed.""
. . . . .
Again, from the IJR article:
"Bowser said in a statement Tuesday that the mural “inspired” people but the “federal job cuts” should now be the top concern.

"“The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference,” Bowser said. “The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern. Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”"

This is looking back to 2020, the year George Floyd was murdered. I'm posting it cuz it's beautiful and there's so much yuckiness in this thread, I figure we can use some uplifting. FYI, this is the Detroit Youth Choir and the street scene is in Detroit, Michigan, I assume.


Detroit Youth Choir 'Glory' - featuring IndigoYaj [Detroit Youth Choir;7.10.2020]

Another article about the removal of the mural in DC:

Loading…

www.dcnewsnow.com

Black Lives Matter mural is being taken away [DCNewsNow;3.10.25]

 

[barnswallow]

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for March 12, 2025 | GoComics.com

View the comic strip for Pearls Before Swine by cartoonist Stephan Pastis created March 12, 2025 available on GoComics.com

www.gocomics.com

 

[maplenpg]

Here's some more information about the removal. It's not really any more informative than what you've already posted @maplenpg. It's all I came up with. There are way bigger fish to fry right now. I think people here in the U.S. see it that way right now.

‘Cannot erase our history': Black Lives Matter Plaza honored before removal begins

Work to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza began Monday, a day after more than 50 members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity gathered to remind people what the ground mural means to the African American community.

www.nbcwashington.com

‘Cannot erase our history': Black Lives Matter Plaza honored before removal begins [NBC4 Washington; 3.10.25]

DC Mayor to Remove Black Lives Matter Mural in DC

Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., will be getting removed and its ground mural is set to be painted

ijr.com

DC Mayor to Remove Black Lives Matter Mural in DC [Independent Journal Review;3.6.25]

It's going to go from being a pedestrian plaza back to a thoroughfare for vehicle traffic. The mayor made the decision to forfeit the plaza in favor of protecting residents of DC.

From the IJR article:
"After George Floyd was killed during the summer of 2020, which sparked protests across the country, two blocks of 16th Street NW which is situated just north of the White House, was designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza. The ground mural was unveiled June 5, 2020, and despite being paved over and replaced, Bowser had announced in October 2021, that the new mural would be a permanent installation.

"The removal could signal a preemptive move on Bowser’s part, after U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) introduced legislation on Monday that would force the mayor to rename the Black Lives Matter Plaza or risk losing federal funding if passed.""
. . . . .
Again, from the IJR article:
"Bowser said in a statement Tuesday that the mural “inspired” people but the “federal job cuts” should now be the top concern.

"“The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference,” Bowser said. “The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern. Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”"

This is looking back to 2020, the year George Floyd was murdered. I'm posting it cuz it's beautiful and there's so much yuckiness in this thread, I figure we can use some uplifting. FYI, this is the Detroit Youth Choir and the street scene is in Detroit, Michigan, I assume.


Detroit Youth Choir 'Glory' - featuring IndigoYaj [Detroit Youth Choir;7.10.2020]

Another article about the removal of the mural in DC:

Loading…

www.dcnewsnow.com

Black Lives Matter mural is being taken away [DCNewsNow;3.10.25]

And certainly from afar this is how it seems, that Trump is bombarding everyone (both within and outside his country) with multiple threats, multiple decisions, multiple lies and truths, so that people just have to work on what they deem most important whilst other things, which may well have blown up independently, get lost in the quagmire.

 

[maplenpg]

Here’s Legal AF, Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifolo, lawyers, giving their analysis of some of the latest moves of the t0000 administration. It’s long form!, a little over an hour! But that’s good. They explain the legal implications of everything so even I can understand, at least for a little while! Have a listen while you cook dinner, or iron your clothes. These shows can be listened to on podcast platforms, also.


LIVE: Walls CLOSE IN on Trump & DOGE in COURT | Legal AF [MTN;3.12.25]

Blurb: “Michael Popok and Karen Friedman Agnifilo are back on the top-rated Legal AF podcast and debating: a landmark order against DOGE and Musk forcing them to reveal themselves to the American People; another appellate court rules against Trump's attempt to rip birthright citizenship from the Constitution; a new order about DOGE's efforts to chloroform a federal aid agency founded by Congress; the Trump Administration's attempts to deny a NY federal judge jurisdiction by whisking a green card holder who expresses views the Administration doesn't like, to red state Louisiana; and so much more at the intersection of law and politics.”

Some really important stuff there, maybe the last one I highlighted the most so. It refers to the case of Mahmoud Khalil, which is also the subject of post #90, just above. His case has to do with First Amendment protections: even if we don't agree with the guy (as Legal AF states in their commentary), it's protected speech. On the other hand, it's possible that Khalil made real violations of our laws, which changes the case. Still we don't, as a nation, whisk people away and deny them due process. Popok and Agnifilo explain all angles of the situation really well. We need to understand the significance of what's happening to who we are as a nation and they know where to shine the light.

I've just downloaded this. I'll report back when I've listened, probably won't be for a few days at least sadly.

 

[barnswallow]

I've just downloaded this. I'll report back when I've listened, probably won't be for a few days at least sadly.

Hi maple
Maybe listen to this guy, instead. I’ve listened to him for years. He’s a comedian, among other things. He has unusual connections to all sorts of people and things. He’s worked in the entertainment business and knew about t0000 from his days on ‘The Apprentice.’ He has interesting insights and has a bantering style and covers a ton of ground at a sitting. I enjoy his perspective.

Noel Casler Podcast Episode 125

Podcast Episode · The Noel Casler Podcast · 03/14/2025 · 57m

podcasts.apple.com

The Noel Casler Podcast, Episode 125, [3.14.2025]

 

[barnswallow]

Trump’s Biggest Corruption is Flying Under the Radar

The scale of corruption in Trump’s White House has been stunning and unprecedented.

open.substack.com

Trump’s Biggest Corruption is Flying Under the Radar [Chris Murphy’s Substack;3.7.25]

Chris Murphy is a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

 

[barnswallow]

Here’s one that doesn’t need much introduction. The headline says it all.

German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U.S.

Amid President Trump’s border crackdown, German news media have closely followed the treatment of two tourists who say they tried to enter the United States legally.

www.nytimes.com

German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U.S. [NYTIMES;3.13.25]

The article describes 2 separate events. The individuals involved seem to have followed protocols as a run-of-the-mill tourist and a run-of-the -mill visitor, respectively. Each experienced extraordinarily shocking treatment.

Andrew Sullivan on Substack

Memo to tourists from free countries: if you visit America, you run the risk of being thrown in jail, and kept in solitary confinement by Trump’s border guards, even if you have done nothing wrong, and committed no crime. It’s all part of the new America...

substack.com

 

[barnswallow]

The Senate voted on the Continuing Resolution [CR] to approve financing the government through September. It’s not a proper budget. It’s a sort of stop-gap, in order to keep the government operating.

Traditionally, there is some effort at bipartisan agreement in forming a budget or CR. But republicans chose to lock out any Democrats’ participation. One feature of the C.R. that emerged was an abdication of congressional oversight over the executive branch’s actions, what is referred to as Congress’s ‘power of the purse’ and also handed over power to the president /executive to unilaterally slash the federal workforce and cripple agencies that would ordinarily require congressional authorization.

I hope I have those details right! What I am sure of is that the CR ceded control of areas that usually qualify as a ‘check-and-balance’ that is one of the principle safeguards of the U.S. democratic system preventing any one of the 3 branches of government (i.e. the legislative, the executive and the judicial) from gaining too much power.

The point being that no Democrat would want to vote for a CR that would give t0000 and musk more power, And, because the margins for the republican majority are so tiny, by voting as a block, Democrats could have shut the government down and stopped the CR. Chuck Schumer, minority leader in the Senate decided to vote ‘yes’ in favor of the republicans’ CR plan and he convinced 9 other Democrats to join him. Thus, the government will continue functioning with an executive even more empowered than before.

This move by Schumer created a huge controversy amongst Democrats.

A retired political science professor I know thinks Schumer made the only rational choice of 2 terrible options. He and the others who joined him may pay a political price. The following article makes the point for Schumer.

Stephen Greenleaf on Substack

@Charlie Sykes, thanks for this. I came to the same conclusion earlier in the day, and I thought I might be alone with only Chuck Schumer about this. We all need to think more like Max Weber here.

substack.com

Charlie Sykes on Substack

Discover and discuss great writing with the world’s smartest readers on Substack.

substack.com

Okay. Finally, the article by Charlie Sykes:

Schumer Caves

(And probably made the right call)

open.substack.com

Schumer Caves (and probably made the right call) [To The Contrary-Charlie Sykes’ substack;3.14.25]

Charlie Sykes is a long-time conservative political commentator and talk show host. He helped start The Bulwark and is a never-t0000er. So, in the interest of defeating the t0000 regime, he aligns with Democrats in this tenuous time.