@wildfeathers.bsky.social
nature. science. creativity. coffee with good pastry and friends.
Reposted
Republicans spent a decade fetishizing Benghazi, making it central to their criticism of Democratic governance. Now, with the stroke of a pen, Trump has done away with *half* of the State Department's security contractors.
Three of the four men killed in 2012 were civilian security contractors.
Three of the four men killed in 2012 were civilian security contractors.
US state department fires security and personal services contractors
Directive says new contracts must be terminated immediately in response to Trump executive order
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Republicans spent a decade fetishizing Benghazi, making it central to their criticism of Democratic governance. Now, with the stroke of a pen, Trump has done away with *half* of the State Department's security contractors.
Three of the four men killed in 2012 were civilian security contractors.
Three of the four men killed in 2012 were civilian security contractors.
Reposted
Another USAID staffer ... said that during a virtual staff meeting on Monday, people started leaving one by one as their access was cut off. 'It was like from a horror film,' they said." https://n.pr/4gyrTtp
February 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Another USAID staffer ... said that during a virtual staff meeting on Monday, people started leaving one by one as their access was cut off. 'It was like from a horror film,' they said." https://n.pr/4gyrTtp
Reposted
SCOOP: The US Treasury claimed a DOGE's Marco Elez didn’t have ‘write access,’ when he actually did. Sources tell WIRED that his ability to alter code controlling trillions in federal spending was rescinded, days after officials said it didn't exist.
The US Treasury Claimed DOGE Technologist Didn’t Have ‘Write Access’ When He Actually Did
Sources tell WIRED that the ability of DOGE's Marko Elez to alter code controlling trillions in federal spending was rescinded days after US Treasury and White House officials said it didn't exist.
wrd.cm
February 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
SCOOP: The US Treasury claimed a DOGE's Marco Elez didn’t have ‘write access,’ when he actually did. Sources tell WIRED that his ability to alter code controlling trillions in federal spending was rescinded, days after officials said it didn't exist.
Reposted
HHMI erasing their Inclusive Excellence program is disappointing. This was not a government funded program. I'd hoped they'd stand for their previously stated values. This costs jobs and impedes improvements in retaining and graduating students in STEM majors.
www.statnews.com/2025/02/06/h...
www.statnews.com/2025/02/06/h...
Researchers 'stunned' after HHMI abruptly cancels program to make science more inclusive
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute abruptly ended a $60 million program to improve the retention of diverse college students
www.statnews.com
February 7, 2025 at 2:52 AM
HHMI erasing their Inclusive Excellence program is disappointing. This was not a government funded program. I'd hoped they'd stand for their previously stated values. This costs jobs and impedes improvements in retaining and graduating students in STEM majors.
www.statnews.com/2025/02/06/h...
www.statnews.com/2025/02/06/h...
Reposted
UPDATE: The strain of bird flu is distinct from what has previously been found in dairy cattle. The finding raises some worrying questions — and concerns over the Trump administration's muted response.
New bird flu variant in cattle adds to concerns about federal response under Trump
The strain of bird flu is distinct from what has previously been found in dairy cattle. The finding raises some worrying questions — and concerns over the Trump administration's muted response.
www.npr.org
February 6, 2025 at 6:06 PM
UPDATE: The strain of bird flu is distinct from what has previously been found in dairy cattle. The finding raises some worrying questions — and concerns over the Trump administration's muted response.
Reposted
"an inexperienced developer...is implementing hidden payment-blocking capabilities in the federal government’s $6 trillion payment system, while the very experts who understand these systems are being pushed out, and the teams responsible for investigating security breaches are being disbanded"
Okay, let's keep going. Got another one today looking at just how absolutely fucking crazy it is that an inexperienced Musk-lackey is apparently pushing untested live code to America's checkbook. Tried to contextualize all of it.
www.techdirt.com/2025/02/05/a...
www.techdirt.com/2025/02/05/a...
A 25-Year-Old Is Writing Backdoors Into The Treasury’s $6 Trillion Payment System. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Just months after we learned Chinese hackers had compromised US telecom systems through government-mandated backdoors, an inexperienced developer from Musk’s DOGE unit is pushing untested cod…
www.techdirt.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:35 AM
"an inexperienced developer...is implementing hidden payment-blocking capabilities in the federal government’s $6 trillion payment system, while the very experts who understand these systems are being pushed out, and the teams responsible for investigating security breaches are being disbanded"
Reposted
Mind-boggling wreckage. Among the lifesaving programs now disrupted by Elon’s attack on @USAID: phase 1 trials for a possible HIV vaccine.
February 6, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Mind-boggling wreckage. Among the lifesaving programs now disrupted by Elon’s attack on @USAID: phase 1 trials for a possible HIV vaccine.
Reposted
Extremely disappointed to see HHMI decide to kill their Inclusive Excellence program, including terminating the current IE3 awards to over a hundred institutions effective this year in the middle of a 6-year grant. I was hoping HHMI (and other private funders) would continue to lead the way.
February 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Extremely disappointed to see HHMI decide to kill their Inclusive Excellence program, including terminating the current IE3 awards to over a hundred institutions effective this year in the middle of a 6-year grant. I was hoping HHMI (and other private funders) would continue to lead the way.
Reposted
Incredible to think how hard Merrick Garland worked for four years to avoid even the remotest appearance of partisanship or ideological commitments, and literally on her first day as AG Pam Bondi is like "Diversity is now illegal, we will be putting all the libs in prison"
Breaking from me and @mjsdc.bsky.social : Newly installed AG Pam Bondi sent out more than a dozen memos in a 15 minute period on Wednesday. One of them told staffers to come up with "proposals for criminal investigations" of large companies that have DEIA initiatives. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Pam Bondi Instructs Trump DOJ to Criminally Investigate Companies That Do DEI
Civil rights advocates may well file suit immediately against the Justice Department to secure an injunction.
slate.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Incredible to think how hard Merrick Garland worked for four years to avoid even the remotest appearance of partisanship or ideological commitments, and literally on her first day as AG Pam Bondi is like "Diversity is now illegal, we will be putting all the libs in prison"
Reposted
As Elon Musk continues to talk about subsidies, let’s remember that he is the LARGEST GOVT SUBSIDIES RECIPIENT in the country!
February 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
As Elon Musk continues to talk about subsidies, let’s remember that he is the LARGEST GOVT SUBSIDIES RECIPIENT in the country!
Reposted
Top American diplomat is not going to G20, because the place where they meet is “doing very bad things.”
February 6, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Top American diplomat is not going to G20, because the place where they meet is “doing very bad things.”
Reposted
The feeling among many climate advocates was that while Trump will try to boost fossil fuels, the clean energy transition has so much momentum that he can't stop it.
But it's becoming clear that he and his goons are determined to destroy renewable energy wherever it may be found.
But it's becoming clear that he and his goons are determined to destroy renewable energy wherever it may be found.
A Key Federal Agency Has Stopped Approving New Renewables Projects
The Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees U.S. wetlands, has halted processing on 168 pending wind and solar actions, a spokesperson confirmed to Heatmap.
heatmap.news
February 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The feeling among many climate advocates was that while Trump will try to boost fossil fuels, the clean energy transition has so much momentum that he can't stop it.
But it's becoming clear that he and his goons are determined to destroy renewable energy wherever it may be found.
But it's becoming clear that he and his goons are determined to destroy renewable energy wherever it may be found.
Reposted
You may wonder why altCDC is so political. Public health is as much about the disease as it is about the society in which that disease occurs. We are battling an admin that wants to dismantle US public health, sow misinformation, devalue science, and cripple our ability to respond to health threats.
February 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
You may wonder why altCDC is so political. Public health is as much about the disease as it is about the society in which that disease occurs. We are battling an admin that wants to dismantle US public health, sow misinformation, devalue science, and cripple our ability to respond to health threats.
Reposted
Top Dem on the House Intel Committee Jim Himes says in a statement that he understands that the White House “insisted” on the CIA transmitting the list in an unclassified email
New via NYT — The CIA sent the White House an unclassified email listing all employees hired by the spy agency over the last two years to comply with an executive order to shrink the federal work force. One former agency officer called the reporting of names a “counterintelligence disaster.”
February 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Top Dem on the House Intel Committee Jim Himes says in a statement that he understands that the White House “insisted” on the CIA transmitting the list in an unclassified email
Reposted
Once again, Republicans delivering for the rural Americans who voted GOP by overwhelming margins
Community health centers are now starting to shut down across the country because of Trump’s executive orders.
These centers serve 1-in-5 rural patients in America.
These centers serve 1-in-5 rural patients in America.
Virginia community health centers close over federal funding access
Despite pause on federal funding freeze, centers unable to access grants
www.vpm.org
February 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Once again, Republicans delivering for the rural Americans who voted GOP by overwhelming margins
Reposted
New via NYT — The CIA sent the White House an unclassified email listing all employees hired by the spy agency over the last two years to comply with an executive order to shrink the federal work force. One former agency officer called the reporting of names a “counterintelligence disaster.”
February 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
New via NYT — The CIA sent the White House an unclassified email listing all employees hired by the spy agency over the last two years to comply with an executive order to shrink the federal work force. One former agency officer called the reporting of names a “counterintelligence disaster.”
Reposted
🦬‼️While the immediate threats to our Constitution continue, Wyoming is quietly trying to seize ALL federal land within the state except Yellowstone.
"It’s about money. They don’t care about all that surface acreage that is so important to many of us as sportsmen."
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
"It’s about money. They don’t care about all that surface acreage that is so important to many of us as sportsmen."
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Wyoming Senators Demand 50 Million Acres of Federal Land. It's Part of a Coordinated Land-Grab by Western States
A group of Wyoming senators are demanding Congress hand over all federal lands and mineral rights within the state.
www.outdoorlife.com
February 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
🦬‼️While the immediate threats to our Constitution continue, Wyoming is quietly trying to seize ALL federal land within the state except Yellowstone.
"It’s about money. They don’t care about all that surface acreage that is so important to many of us as sportsmen."
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
"It’s about money. They don’t care about all that surface acreage that is so important to many of us as sportsmen."
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Reposted
Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee want answers from the White House about DOGE employees' access to classified and other sensitive information at federal agencies: https://bit.ly/40OQIeu
February 5, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee want answers from the White House about DOGE employees' access to classified and other sensitive information at federal agencies: https://bit.ly/40OQIeu
Reposted
#ACTUALNEWS U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi plans to sign a directive on Wednesday, her first day in office, that could allow Justice Department lawyers to be fired if they refuse to advance legal arguments on behalf of President Donald Trump's administration, Fox News reported.
February 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
#ACTUALNEWS U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi plans to sign a directive on Wednesday, her first day in office, that could allow Justice Department lawyers to be fired if they refuse to advance legal arguments on behalf of President Donald Trump's administration, Fox News reported.
Reposted
Really comprehensive and brutal description of what’s going on at US science agencies by @dereklowe.bsky.social. Read to the end: because this doesn’t need to continue, the rest is not inevitable. We can fight back.
I’ve unfortunately needed to add more material to my post from yesterday. The re-election of Donald Trump is looking like the biggest act of American self-destruction since the Civil War.
Same link, new title and some updates.
Same link, new title and some updates.
Revised and Extended: What's Happening Inside the NIH and NSF
www.science.org
February 6, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Really comprehensive and brutal description of what’s going on at US science agencies by @dereklowe.bsky.social. Read to the end: because this doesn’t need to continue, the rest is not inevitable. We can fight back.
Reposted
Open season for corrupt actions by foreign governments and individuals. Literally a welcome mat from DOJ.
FARA disclosure is already deficient; this makes it a non-entity.
FARA disclosure is already deficient; this makes it a non-entity.
February 6, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Open season for corrupt actions by foreign governments and individuals. Literally a welcome mat from DOJ.
FARA disclosure is already deficient; this makes it a non-entity.
FARA disclosure is already deficient; this makes it a non-entity.
Reposted
SCOOP: One day after Trump's new Chinese tariffs went into effect, Americans say they are being blindsided by notifications from DHL and UPS saying that they owe between $20 to $50 (or more) in import duties www.wired.com/story/tariff...
US Shoppers Face Fees of Up to $50 or More to Get Packages From China
Consumers and small businesses are already feeling the impact of President Donald Trump's new tariffs, which eliminated a key trade exemption for parcels worth less than $800.
www.wired.com
February 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
SCOOP: One day after Trump's new Chinese tariffs went into effect, Americans say they are being blindsided by notifications from DHL and UPS saying that they owe between $20 to $50 (or more) in import duties www.wired.com/story/tariff...
Reposted
President Donald Trump's administration evicted former Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan from her home with three hours of notice on Tuesday — not even enough time to gather her personal effects — according to two people familiar with the incident.
Trump administration evicts former Coast Guard leader from her house with 3 hours notice
Trump fired Linda Fagan, the first female Coast Guard commandant, on his second day in office. A Trump official told her she had three hours to leave her house on Tuesday.
www.nbcnews.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:55 AM
President Donald Trump's administration evicted former Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan from her home with three hours of notice on Tuesday — not even enough time to gather her personal effects — according to two people familiar with the incident.
Reposted
"Two hours later U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a conservation group began canvassing the fragile migratory bird habitat surrounding the launch site.
The launch had unleashed an enormous burst of mud, stones and fiery debris across the public lands encircling Musk’s $3 billion space compound."
The launch had unleashed an enormous burst of mud, stones and fiery debris across the public lands encircling Musk’s $3 billion space compound."
Wildlife Protections Take a Back Seat to SpaceX’s Ambitions
A New York Times investigation found that Elon Musk exploited federal agencies’ competing missions to achieve his goals for space travel.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
"Two hours later U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a conservation group began canvassing the fragile migratory bird habitat surrounding the launch site.
The launch had unleashed an enormous burst of mud, stones and fiery debris across the public lands encircling Musk’s $3 billion space compound."
The launch had unleashed an enormous burst of mud, stones and fiery debris across the public lands encircling Musk’s $3 billion space compound."