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Texas National Guard troops sent to Chicago aren't getting paid

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 2d

Texas National Guard troops sent to Chicago are working for free. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

When President Trump called them to active duty, the Texas troops went on the federal payroll. But the government shutdown has cut off paychecks indefinitely.

Texas National Guard fought in two world wars. Why is it in Chicago?

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 4d

Texas National Guard fought in two world wars, Iraq and Afghanistan. What's it doing in Chicago? www.expressnews.com/news/border-...

Guardsmen are citizen-soldiers with jobs and families. President Donald Trump is sending them into blue cities. Here's a primer on the Texas Guard.

Lackland program that forged ties with foreign militaries could be over

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 8d

This Air Force program forged ties with U.S. allies but is now in jeopardy. Foreign troops here study English so they can operate jets and other equipment, and the stakes are high. Disaster could strike if a pilot’s command of English fails. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

Thousands of foreign troops and pilots have studied English and sampled American culture at Lackland Air Force Base. The program's days could be numbered.

'Here we are again': Shutdown stops military pay, stresses families

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 9d

'Here we are again': Government shutdown stops military paychecks, stresses families. The last shutdown in 2018-19 ran 35 days. Military families who lived thru it had flashbacks this week as it happened once more. 'It's going to be stressful.' www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

The last shutdown in 2018-19 lasted 35 days. Military families who lived through it had flashbacks when they awoke Wednesday to find it was happening again.

Lackland program that forged ties with foreign militaries could be over

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 9d

This Air Force program forged ties with foreign militaries. Now it's on the chopping block because Pete Hegseth wants to cut ‘nonlethal’ Pentagon programs by 8%. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

Thousands of foreign troops and pilots have studied English and sampled American culture at Lackland Air Force Base. The program's days could be numbered.

Jane Goodall, Who Chronicled the Social Lives of Chimps, Dies at 91

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 10d

A Giant Silenced: Jane Goodall, Who Chronicled the Social Lives of Chimps, Dies at 91 www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/o...

www.nytimes.com

'Here we are again': Shutdown stops military pay, stresses families

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 10d

'Here we are again': Government shutdown stops military paychecks, stresses families www.expressnews.com/news/article...

The last shutdown in 2018-19 lasted 35 days. Military families who lived through it had flashbacks when they awoke Wednesday to find it was happening again.

‘I’m From Here!’: U.S. Citizens Are Ending Up in Trump’s Dragnet

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 12d

U.S Citizens, Often Latino, Caught up in Trump's Dragnet: Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, recording on his phone, repeatedly told the officers, “I’m from here!” “You’ve got no rights here. You’re illegal, brother,” a Florida state trooper is heard saying. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...

www.nytimes.com

Clampdown: 17-mile buoy barrier, new military base coming to South Texas border

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 16d

Yeah, I agree with his thinking, but I'm guessing he's still angry.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 18d

It’s funny, but the original Americans didn’t ask for our papers. There were the not-so-rare occasions where they scalped us (for more, see Indians, Comanche), but that’s another story, one best reserved for the campfires of Big Bend, not the UN.

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 18d

Fortifying the border: 17-mile buoy barrier, new zone in South Texas. “We won’t speculate on how the (military zone) will affect citizens in the Rio Grande Valley,” the Air Force says. But just try to enter the zone and see what happens. www.expressnews.com/business/art... via @expressnews

The plan, which came as a surprise to local officials, could benefit SpaceX’s operations in the area, which are increasingly important to national defense.

New fight looms over Army base names. Is Fort Hood again in play?

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 19d

The Hill's fighting over Army base names again, but will change come to Texas? It's doubtful, though one Nebraska Republican likes his chances. "Is (Trump) going to veto it again?" Rep. Don Bacon says. "I think the odds are in my favor on this." www.expressnews.com/news/texas/a... via @expressnews

Bipartisan support is growing in Congress to defy President Trump and strip Confederate-associated names from military bases once again.

New fight looms over Army base names. Is Fort Hood again in play?

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 19d

A new fight looms over Army base names. Bipartisan support is growing in Congress to defy President Trump and strip Confederate-associated names from military bases once again. Will the effort reach Texas and the former Fort Cavazos? www.expressnews.com/news/texas/a... via @expressnews

Bipartisan support is growing in Congress to defy President Trump and strip Confederate-associated names from military bases once again.

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month. The military isn't celebrating.

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24d

In San Antonio, a city where 64.5% of its residents are Hispanic, not a word has been said about this at three military bases around town. It is as if Hispanics don’t exist on the city’s bases — and yet they do. Pete Hegseth calls this ‘unity.’ www.expressnews.com/news/article...

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth erased cultural awareness months from the military calendar this year. First to go was Black History Month.

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month. The military isn't celebrating.

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25d

It's National Hispanic Heritage Month. The military isn't celebrating. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth erased cultural awareness months from the military calendar this year. First to go was Black History Month. Now it's Hispanic Heritage Month. expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth erased cultural awareness months from the military calendar this year. First to go was Black History Month.

expressnews.com

Army removes head of burn treatment center after influencer targeted her

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Sep 11

Army fires elite burn treatment center chief after self-described Christian activist calls her pro-trans. 'To all who amplified my post about her trans activism, great team effort. One more revolutionary no longer in a position of military command.' expressnews.com/news/article...
via @expressnews

Col. Elisa O'Hern was commander of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio. Then her bio vanished from the institute's web page.

expressnews.com

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Sep 11

Army sacks elite burn treatment center chief after Christian activist calls her pro-trans. 'To all who amplified my post about her trans activism, great team effort,' he wrote. 'One more revolutionary no longer in a position of military command.' www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

Army removes head of burn treatment center after influencer targeted her

Col. Elisa O'Hern was commander of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio. Then her bio vanished from the institute's web page.

Trump is forcing military personnel to choose between obeying orders and law

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Sep 5

Tony Quesada | Trump forces military to choose between obeying orders and law. He'll keep troops in Los Angeles thru November — when California voters vote on a congressional redistricting measure. Could that occur in San Antonio, Houston or El Paso? expressnews.com/opinion/comm... via @expressnews

Using military for domestic law enforcement violates a nearly 150-year-old statute.

expressnews.com

Army to close museums at Fort Sam, other bases to focus on 'lethality'

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Sep 3

The exhibits at the Fort Sam Houston Museum are historic and deeply connected to the Army's role in settling Texas — none more so than a Navy Colt revolving pistol. The revolver and other artifacts at the museum won't be on display much longer. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

The Fort Sam Houston Museum is a treasure house of military artifacts, including the Colt revolver that helped Texas settlers defeat the Comanche.

Nazi's heirs investigated by Argentine police after stolen 17th-century portrait spotted in real estate ad

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Sep 3

So that I'm clear, we have people in the U.S. who believe Hitler and the Nazis were on the 'right' side of World War II? Hermann Goering and his buddies divvied up 1K stolen paintings, but they were the 'good guys'?! This story is a reminder of their evil. www.cbsnews.com/news/stolen-...

The lost Dutch painting "Portrait of a Lady" was believed to be discovered in a real estate listing for a home once owned by a Nazi.

www.cbsnews.com

Pete Hegseth wants to rename the Defense Department. Why it matters.

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Aug 25

Why you subscribe: Just for the record, the San Antonio Express-News predicted Trump would change the name of the Defense Department to the War Department. Here's our story -- published in late April. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

After World Wars I and II, war got a bad name. U.S. leaders recast military might as a way to prevent war. Hegseth thinks it's time to re-emphasize "lethality."

Abbott calls legislators to consider greater access to anti-parasitic drug

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Aug 24

Abbott touts ivermectin sales. In ‘21, poison calls spiked amid widespread claims that ivermectin could help treat COVID-19. The claims had no scientific backing. Many people bought the animal version at feed stores, ingesting a drug that acts as a horse dewormer. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

The governor has called for Texas lawmakers to consider allowing a person to purchase ivermectin at a pharmacy.

4 Surprising Ways Healthy Heart Habits Benefit Your Whole Body

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · Aug 22

Decade of studies reveal “Life’s Simple 7” guidelines that cut the chances of developing and dying of heart disease. They include heart-healthy diets, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining body weight and blood glucose, good cholesterol, blood pressure and sleep. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/w...

www.nytimes.com