Chuck
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chuckp.bsky.social
Chuck
@chuckp.bsky.social
150 followers 820 following 12 posts
Humane Being.
Just a simple man, trying to make my way in the 'Verse.
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chuckp.bsky.social
Tempus fugit.
auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social Auschwitz Memorial @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social · Jan 27
Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.
A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.
January 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
chuckp.bsky.social
This hurts the United States strategically, for years at least.
Our nation's adversaries are overjoyed.
kylegriffin1.bsky.social Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · Jan 28
Sens. Kaine and Warner call Trump's freeze on federal grants and loans is "reckless and illegal" and will result in "an immediate and profound negative impact on Americans all over the county."

"This is money that builds roads and bridges, helps small businesses make payroll."
kylegriffin1.bsky.social Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · Jan 28
The Trump admin just put a hold on all federal grants and loans — affecting tens of billions of dollars in payments.

The reason: To ensure programs are consistent with Trump’s orders banning DEI initiatives and clean energy spending, among other measures. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
January 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Chuck
rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
Hi that was a coup last night in case no one mentioned that to you. The executive branch seized the power of the purse the Constitution gave to Congress, which is a pretty authoritarian / illegal consolidation of powers move. Time to go yell at your reps, the media, etc.
Hey friends! We're seeing a lot of terrible things. We're not able to cover all of them, but we felt this latest one is a really big deal and needs much more awareness. Our summary is this: It's an administrative coup. Trump has ordered tens of billions (maybe up to $3 trillion) of budget halted indefinitely in a blatantly illegal move. He's claiming power to halt and potentially redirect funding that's already been authorized by Congress — a classic authoritarian move. Here's what we know. And we're doing our best to catch up with this story, because it's moving fast. There's a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting head of the Office of Management and Budget. (That's the same government entity who set-up the DEI "snitch" line, that's now been spammed by tens of thousands of our fellow residents.) In typical Trump-style, the memo gets its facts wrong. It claims in FY2024 the US government spent $10 trillion (actually it was $6.8 trillion). It says money should be used for the administration's priorities — "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve." (Again, it's very fact deficient.) The memo says a pause will begin at 5pm on January 28th where, "Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." Anyone promised federal grants might have their money at risk, even states. This is Congressional directed spending and Trump is ordering people to not do it. This funding includes universities for education and research programs, nonprofits, local and tribal governments, disaster relief aid, e… So what can we do? It's been a lot. And the shock approach of this administration is to overwhelm us with nonsense and a state of paralysis. We continue to believe the best thing is to stay grounded and keep yourself sane amidst insanity. At this juncture, three actions we suggest that make sense to us: 1) Urge media to cover this story properly This is not "possibly illegal" — it's "patently illegal." You can read notes on that here. It's not "temporary" — it's "indefinite." There's no timetable for ending it. It's not just a memo — it's an administrative coup. 2) Urge your Representatives to act like this is a big deal If you know us, this isn't a knee-jerk action we suggest. We think this is a strategic because it's Congress that's being violated — their power is being directly undermined. 3) Continue to support ACLU and Democracy Forward These groups have been preparing litigation for some time. Unless Trump revokes this, this will certainly make its way through the courts. Our read is even the biased courts will have trouble swallowing this — so it may end up being shut down. Keep breathing. “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again," Nelson Mandela. Warmly, - Choose Democracy
January 28, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Chuck
votevets.org
Rest in peace to Submariner LT James Earl Carter Jr, USN (Ret). Carter, the only U.S. President to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy, leaves a legacy of service. The USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23), a Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine, carries his name in honor of his dedication to our nation.
December 29, 2024 at 9:33 PM
chuckp.bsky.social
This mantra is not unfamiliar.
scalzi.com John Scalzi @scalzi.com · Nov 13
Don't look at the news

Don't look at the news

Don't look at the news

(Looks at the news)

Oh, for fuck's sake
November 14, 2024 at 12:27 AM
chuckp.bsky.social
Hello, whirled!
November 9, 2024 at 4:17 AM