He's Always Been A Bit Of A Wanker

 This is a real tweet from Rep Drunken Van Orden:

It's time for DVO to put down the booze bottle and the phone and actually do his job for a change, while he still has one.

All The Angst Around Rare Earths And I Think We Let Some Slip Through Our Fingers

Donald Trump is scouring the world for nations that he can brow beat into giving up their rare earth resources, while China plays their rare earth cards in the face of US tariffs on Chinese exports to the US.

But somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember some discussion about developing a rare earth industry in....Afghanistan. Yes, that's right. The US could be mining rare earths there while providing stable jobs and providing a stable cultural and economic country. hmmmm.....

The Real Issue Is Why Does A Rich Nation Like The US Even Need A Snap Program

There is great consternation and hair pulling and finger pointing as the federal government shutdown puts a hold on food stamps or SNAP or food-share or whatever your state calls it. It's a calamity and shouldn't even be considered.

But the real question should be: in a nation as rich as the United States, why are there people who don't have enough to eat in the first place? Why is that? And that should be the question that the Senate and the House should be considering at this very moment.

My Biennial Rant: It Is Time For Rep. Gwen Moore To Retire!

Gwen Moore has been very popular member of the House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 4th Congressional District since 2005. But twenty years is enough!!

 

Here in the 4th, we have dozens of qualified and skilled and eager young Democrats who deserve a promotion. And it is time that the Boomers step aside and let the younger generations bring their ideas and energy to Washington. And if the silence around the current federal government shutdown isn't enough proof that nothing worthwhile is getting done, I don't know what more you are looking for.

The 2026 mid-term elections are just about to get underway. It is time for Rep. Moore to step aside and let someone new take up the banner. She has earned a happy and quiet retirement!

And The Pro-life Party Doesn't Want To Heal The Sick

Yesterday I called out the so-called Pro-life party, the Republicans, for not feeding the hungry. Now I am calling them out for not wanting to care for the sick.

The supposed reason for the federal government shutdown is the Democrats insistence that subsidies for health care premiums be re-instated as part of the continuing resolution and the Republicans insistence that the CR be passed and then they would be willing to negotiate on the ACA subsidies. 

Now I don't understand why if the Repubs are willing to negotiate later, that they won't negotiate now. Right? If they could be trusted to keep their word I could find it in me to urge the Dems to vote and then demand that the GOP step up and do their thing. But we know that the Republicans won't do that.

But let me remind these Christian crusaders...healing the sick and feeding the hungry are direct mandates from their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And The Pro-Life Party Doesn't Want To Feed Hungry Americans?

As food stamp benefits come to a grinding halt under the federal government shut down, Republicans refuse to make adjustments to make sure the poor and hungry in America have enough money to buy the ever more expensive food available in America. Pro-life party? Bulloney!

Trump Got His Covid-19 and Flu Booster Shots So Why Can't You?

Robert Kennedy JR and the CDC and whatever other federal agencies have cut back on the recommendations for Covid-19 and flu vaccines...but on his recent visit to Walter Reed for a health 'checkup', Donald Trump got his vaccines. ??? So they are apparently safe and effective...oui, si, ya, da, yes? So get yours.

There Apparently Is A Movement To Convince President Barack Obama To Run For A Third Term!

 I mean, it it's an actual 'thing' like we are being told that it is, WHY NOT? Or will that blow some MAGA minds??

Just A Question About Landmark Credit Union AND American Family Insurance

Aren't these two institutions in business to help people manage their finances with a minimum of risk and expense? So why are they buying naming rights to public arenas and music venues? Couldn't they use that money to lower insurance rates and bank fees instead?

Trump Got The Jab!

 

Donald Trump

After all the hubbub by President Pedo and Secretary Brain Worms about hos unsafe vaccines are, Trump took off for his second annual physical in less than six months, the Orange Sphincter got both a flu shot and a COVID vaccine.  

But like all Republicans, this regime is nothing if not hypocritical.

In related news, Trump also had a brain scan which came back negative, meaning they couldn't even find his final brain cell.

Breaking News That The White House Missed, Bigly! According to Conde Nast Traveler:

The number one BIG city in the US is CHICAGO! And number four? PORTLAND OR. Hardly the stuff of war zones, aina?  and Washington DC is number six.

BTW: Milwaukee is #3

Go figure!

Van Orden Praises Dear Leader For Imaginary Feats

 The Orange Sphincter had always wanted to do away with WIC, the program that helps provide food for families in need.  And his shut down of the government gave him the opportunity to do so for good.  But when enough people clamored enough to get through his dementia-addled brain, Orange promised to fund WIC through his tariffs.

Rep Drunken Van Orden thought that was great and promptly got to kissing some orange booty:

Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after President Donald J. Trump took action to ensure the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program remains funded during the ongoing government shutdown

“When I was serving overseas as an active-duty Navy SEAL, my wife, Sara Jane, and I used WIC to help feed our kids. We know exactly how much that support means to working families

“Democrats shut down the government to protect healthcare for illegal aliens, leaving American families to bear the cost. President Trump is once again leading where Democrats have failed. I thank President Trump for his leadership and for always putting America first. It’s time for Democrats to stop holding the American people hostage to their radical agenda and do the same.”

Ah, how wonderful, if only Trump could do that, but he can't.  He doesn't have the authority to do that: As Chris Walker - yes, THAT Chris Walker - points out, Trump is blowing smoke up everyone's ass:

At issue, too, is whether the administration has the legal authority to send tariff-derived funds to WIC at all. As outlined by the Constitution, Congress, not the president, is empowered to determine where taxes may go, with other branches of government forbidden from doing so.

Presidents are allowed to disburse some executive branch funds through the use of executive orders, but those, too, require some level of congressional authorization. The tariffs enacted by Trump — which are viewed by many economists to be a tax on consumers — have not explicitly been directed to help pay for WIC.

Now, I have little doubt that Trump doesn't know what's going on.  He's just doing what Stephen Miller tells him to do. 

Sadly, DVO doesn't have a clue either.  Even if he wasn't drunk so much of the time, he isn't exactly the smartest man in the room, even if he was the only person in said room. 

Federal Employees Need To Take A Lesson From France: IT IS TIME FOR A GENERAL STRIKE

Every damn one of you. Just agree that all of you walk off at a particular hour and refuse to return to work until the shutdown is over. Done. 

Why Does Congress and the President Still Get Paid During A Federal Government Shutdown?

Seriously. There are distinct rules around who has to work and who gets paid during a federal government shutdown.

Those federal employees deemed non-essential are laid off and don't get any compensation for the time that they don't work.

Essential federal employees are furloughed...meaning they still have to work but don't get paid until the shutdown is over. At that point, they get back pay for the time worked during the shutdown. These would include TSA, air traffic controllers, the FBI and such.

BUT Congress and the President still get paid.. WTF? considering that they are the actual cause of the shutdown. They are the ones who aren't doing their jobs. It isn't the federal employees who are at fault here. They are just pawns in the game. So why is Congress and the President still getting paid? And they are the ones who need the money least, right??

So first, vote ALL of the a**holes out and then demand that the new Congress vote to deny themselves pay or even back pay for a federal government shutdown in the future.

 

Pete Hegseth Fires General Mills and General Motors From The Pentagon

 for not being able to meet his new fitness requirements...