The Indivisible meeting last night had two actions that I know of. First, they’re recommending visits in person to your senator’s office. Here’s their mobilization page that will show you the events nearest to your location. There’s also a map available there. Second, there’s going to be a rally at the Treasury Department tomorrow:
The same Fork Off coalition is having daily morning rallies at the Office of Personnel Management between 7:30-8:30 AM.
The 50 Protests/50 States/ One Day movement is being organized on the 50501 subreddit and they’re settling on a schedule of noon on Wednesday. The reason for a weekday protest is that this is when the media is around and will cover it. They believe that weekend protests get less attention. Noon is because a lot of people are on lunch break at that time and can view or join in. Here’s the Denver poster:
The situation at USAID is that employees were told by a member of Elon’s Incel Administration that they shouldn’t report to work today, and those who did were being turned away. Rep. Don Beyer, at a minimum, will be going there this morning. Follow Aaron Fritsch, one of his aides on BlueSky, for more information.
Congressman @beyer.house.gov will be going to USAID today with colleagues to shine a light on what is happening there, I think others will join us. Figuring out details now and will share but flagging now for press and public in the area
— Aaron Fritschner (@fritschner.bsky.social) February 3, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Rep. Gerry Connolly is asking USAID employees to report to work today.
That’s all I have for this morning. Please add anything I missed in the comments.
Senator Ted
The Guardian is reporting that USAid staff have been “locked out of the building”
Matt McIrvin
What do you think about these 50501 protests? Some discussion in one of the earlier threads about how they may be some kind of false-flag/agent-provocateur operation.
lowtechcyclist
I emailed Sen. Van Hollen to request that he join that delegation if he could.
Kirk
@Matt McIrvin: If they’re asking for registration, even if they’re on the side of angels in principle they’re bad.
Tim C.
My new congresswoman Maxine Dexter is going to be at USAid today as well. Pleased as she seems an upgrade from the technocratically-competent-but-less-confrontational Earl Blumenauer.
Scout211
DC Media Group is reporting an ongoing protest bt Federal workers at the Amin building. (Reposting from downstairs).
. . .
Kosh III
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/ontario-cancels-starlink-contract-latest-canadian-tariffs-protest-2025-02-03/
Canada strikes back at Muskrat, too bad it’s only an M not a B.
FDRLincoln
Just talked to US Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)’s office. My main focus this time was
Musk’s coup.
The very nice “senior staffer” told me they are receiving “a large number” of calls, that
“the political situation is volatile” and that the senator and his staff are “reviewing
the legality” of what’s happening. She said to “expect a statement” soon from the senator.
I said a statement wasn’t good enough and that he needed to take his oath to the
Constitution seriously and that if he doesn’t, other people will, that the senator is either
on the side of the US or the side of Musk and that I will be calling back either way.
Calls to my other senator (Roger Marshall-Nazi) went unanswered.
Call to my GOP representative went to a hapless intern who said that the Rep will be back in DC
tomorrow and they still had no guidance from him on what to tell people.
Matt McIrvin
Anyway, Indivisible’s got stuff going on all week, they’re pretty legit. Seem to be concentrating on leaning on Senators of both parties to reject appointments.
Belafon
@Matt McIrvin: They also need to be called to task on what they’re going to do if Trump keeps them on as “Acting”.
lowtechcyclist
@Kirk:
Where does it say they’re doing that?
Ohio Mom
@FDRLincoln: Yeah, Musk’s coup is a lot more urgent to me at the moment than the laundry list on that poster — no to concentration camps, etc.
Not that those aren’t legimate and important causes, just that none of them are going to be stopped without the foundation of the rule of law. First things first.
Me going to Columbus on Wednesday wasn’t ever going to happen but now I’m not sure I’d go if this protest was happening in my neighborhood.
pajaro
@lowtechcyclist: I called Van Hollen’s office and spoke to a staff member. I’m really confident he will do whatever he can. It makes sense that the Maryland and Virginia delegations are likely to do the most, as it’s their constituents who have been locked out.
Bill_K
Interesting that one of the first departments that Musk went after was USAID. Financially it’s a drop in the bucket, but it’s been a thorn in the side of dictators like Putin. Another indicator that Musk’s loyalty does not lie with the US.
Rose Judson
Per reports on Bluesky, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey has just said during an event at Johns Hopkins that he’ll be going over to USAid as soon as he is done there.
Would have preferred him going to USAid first, but it’s not nothing.
FDRLincoln
@Ohio Mom: Something doesn’t smell right to me about the “organized” Wednesday protest thing. Although I’m not much of a protest person frankly.
It will all boil down to the rule of law. If we lose that to Musk and Trump, we lose everything.
Matt McIrvin
@Ohio Mom: The bad guys are moving fast on all fronts–ICE raids, horrifying anti-trans EOs. Makes it hard to prioritize, but Musk’s coup helps enable a lot of the rest.
Enhanced Voting Techniques
Apparently Trump said the tariffs on Mexico start tomorrow and they’ve been delayed a month. Truly WTF?
Good on Rep Beyer.
Belafon
@Bill_K: It’s also like picking on trans people. I bet 95% of Americans don’t know it exists (I didn’t). And it’ll be easy for someone to convince Fox viewers that we should be spending that money here rather than around the world, and then they can get tax cuts and go after the next target.
geg6
Elon’s Incel Administration…I like it. I’m stealing it.
pajaro
@FDRLincoln: I just tried to call (although I’m no longer a constituent) and couldn’t get through to the office (which is not necessarily a bad sign). I called both one of my Senators and my Rep.
Josie
@Matt McIrvin: Yes. Stopping Musk is even more important than stopping the tariffs. Allowing an unelected, unvetted person to access such vital economic levers of our country is illegal and unconstitutional. It cannot be allowed to stand.
JMG
@Matt McIrvin: There are tens of millions of Americans opposed to all of these acts, and over 260 Democratic Reps and Senators. Surely a division of protest labor can be arranged.
Kirk
@lowtechcyclist: My apologies to all, I confused them with the organization sending messages requesting people sign up for their (second group’s) protest.
Withdrawing that objection for the 50501.
sentient ai from the future
Divide your attentions and conquer.
Eyes on the prize which is maintaining rule of law from which any legitimate redress of grievances must flow.
Glad to hear reps taking USAID seriously. Soft power is the realest power.
Rose Judson
Ha, also via Bluesky, this blistering letter from an administrative judge within the EEOC to the acting chair, a Musk-selected flunky named Andrea Lucas. Text for if you don’t want to click through:
I really hope that is genuine.
lowtechcyclist
@Belafon:
Yeah, no point in emphasizing what USAID does. Main thing is it’s a government agency created by Congressional legislation, and if they can shut this one down, they can shut any other one down if they get the urge.
Scout211
. . .
Oh, those White House spokespeople are just too cute. LOLOL
Ohio Mom
@Matt McIrvin: There is also the PR angle. If you want widespread support, I’m sorry but the things on that list aren’t going to cut it. Unfortunately, too many people don’t care about those issues or think locking up immigrants in camps is actually a good idea.
“Hands off my grandma’s Social Security” and “Get your nose out of my personal and financial info” will have more widespread resonance. We’ll have to help people over their cognitive dissonance that they are joining with us, that will be a challenge.
I can’t believe the issues I sound like I am throwing under the bus.
Quinerly
@Enhanced Voting Techniques:
A few minutes ago
“Mexico will immediately reinforce the border with 10,000 members of its National Guard, while the US committed to working on preventing high-powered weapons from being trafficked to Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
lowtechcyclist
Not that I’m surprised, but:
comrade scotts agenda of rage
My wife and I just signed up for tomorrow’s assembly at Bennett and Hick’s offices.
Impromptu BJ Meetup!
lowtechcyclist
@Scout211:
I know, the Trumpists were hoping it would be a trade surrender.
It only becomes a war if someone fights back.
ETA:
Kevin Hassett?! As in Dow 36,000?!?
Yep, the same.
Belafon
@sentient ai from the future: Make them defend all directions.
Leto
Just to add one more thing to the ever expanding darkness: How the FAFSA could become a new tool for immigration enforcement
Avalune shared another version of this article with me, as it’s something they’re dealing with with her/their students.
Doug
@Rose Judson: Oh, that skeet is from my friend Henry. Yay!
The action is very much in line with Sen. Kim’s public persona. New Jersey sure got an upgrade over Menendez.
Matt McIrvin
@Ohio Mom: Well, personally I don’t care, I’m drawn especially to showing support for the groups most people don’t want to protect. That’s how Pride worked back in the early days for gay rights. But there’s getting a majority from people where they already are, and there’s moving opinion, two different processes that both have to happen.
Belafon
@lowtechcyclist: It’s been down since Friday.
Almost Retired
Stopping by my Congressman’s office today in West LA (Ted Lieu), since I’m going to be in the neighborhood. He’s solid, but still an atta boy never hurts. I like to remind them that I have been his constituent for every office he’s held in his career, starting with a suburban city council seat almost 25 years ago.
villiageidocy
Could someone please post a link to Adam’s (I think it was him) recommendations for safely attending a protest. My search skills haven’t been sufficient!
Thanks!
p.s. I’d be suspicious about anyone nay-saying the 50501 Reddit protests, BTW. Deflating action is an effective tactic and should be looked at askance. If you want to be careful, you don’t have to sign up for anything. JUST SHOW UP.
tobie
@Rose Judson: What a pointed and courageous message. No mealy-mouth hiding behind process. It’s a statement of values desperately needed right now. I admire it and have it added it to my Profiles in Courage file. I want a record of all those who stood up to fascism.
CCL
Random thought this morning… what really hurts them? What will really shake ’em up? A stock market dive?
Ohio Mom
As I understand it, USAID does some good while providing cover for the CIA to collect information and monitor what is going on in far-off corners of the world. Africa is falling under the influence of China, if anything our USAID efforts are too little.
I really am sounding like a Republican this morning. Guess because the right-wing abandoned old fashioned Republicanism, there’s a vacuum nature is sucking me into.
Steve LaBonne
@lowtechcyclist: I am about to call my Republican critters’ offices and my brief message will be about the illegality of Musk’s agency seizures and the fact that the critter took an oath to the Constitution, not to Trump. I want to keep it focused on the basic issue.
Matt McIrvin
@villiageidocy: well, but there have also been things like Russian Twitter trolls concocting pro-BLM and anti-BLM actions at the same location to get people to fight. Doesn’t seem like that’s happening here, but I think the Reddit organization caught some other activist organizations off guard.
Professor Bigfoot
@FDRLincoln: I think we’ve already lost “the rule of law.”
Trump and his coterie of Nazi gangsters have completely escaped any sanction for their actions– even after being convicted.
“The Rule of Law” was always a bit of marketing, just like “Protect and Serve” and “All men are created equal.”
Miss Bianca
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: Is there an assembly at their Denver offices? Dang! I won’t be able to make it. :(
I may call Brittany Pettersen’s rep in Canon City today and ask if I can meet with him. Maybe schedule an interview with BP herself.
ARoomWithAMoose
@villiageidocy:
https://balloon-juice.com/2019/12/16/peaceful-assembly-personal-security-reposted/
Adam’s personal safety primer Re: protests participation
As being noted repeatedly here and other threads (like Matt’s comment #45 above), you’ll need to do some due diligence on determining if the call to rally to a location is legitimate or a troll or worse.
Betty Cracker
@Bill_K: Saw a post on Bsky here that speculates it was USAID’s work in post-apartheid South Africa that enraged Musk.
Professor Bigfoot
@Ohio Mom: That’s been one of the tactics against us; to use our perfectly reasonable demands against us as “outrageous:”
Do Black Lives Matter? Apparently not, based on how America* has responded to the assertion.
Will the police get defunded? Heh, fuck no, there will ALWAYS be policing of some sort, the only questions are, is that policing is with the consent of the policed, and quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
LeftCoastYankee
I don’t know if anyone suggested it earlier, but it wouldn’t hurt to contact your states attorney general to encourage legal action on behalf of state residents (particularly in regards to the activities of Melon and his groupies).
Every little thing helps.
Miss Bianca
@Professor Bigfoot: I still feel like pointing to the firing of the FBI officers as an opportunity to say, “See, Republicans *do* believe in Defunding the Police!”
Sister Golden Bear
And there it is…. President Musk declares he’s blocking payments to federal contractors.
On a more positive note, Mexico’s president says Trump has agreed to pause tariffs for 30 days while the two sides work out an agreement on security and trade. Meanwhile, Canada announced its first round of tariffs, listing 1,256 items that are targeting Red states and Trump allies.
And Ontario’s Premier is “ripping up” Ontario’s $100 million contract with Starlink.
Scamp Dog
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: I’m about to visit Gabe Evan’s office in Northglenn right now. I’m pausing to catch my breath because the elevator isn’t working and I had to take the stairs to the fifth floor. I’ll post the results shortly…
Professor Bigfoot
@Miss Bianca: Point taken! <snicker>
schrodingers_cat
They are destroying the United States from within.
Steve LaBonne
As far as what Congressional Democrats should do, I agree with Josh Marshall that the crucial thing is no help whatsoever to Republicans on government funding and the debt ceiling until the illegal takeover of agencies is completely stopped, and being public and loud about it.
Kay
All of the Trump managers are misogynists. It’s just amazing to me that women in media are shutting up and sitting down in response to this.
Biggest fucking pack of cowards on the planet. No use to anyone.
Steve LaBonne
@schrodingers_cat: Heather Cox Richardson today quotes Timothy Snyder today that compares the election and its consequences to taking your car to the mechanic for repairs, only to have people you don’t recognize tell you that they stripped it and sold the parts and that this improves efficiency and you should thank them.
Kay
I had an email exchange with a Danish friend this morning. He loves the US and Americans and he is genuinely worried about those of us who don’t support this.
Matt McIrvin
@Sister Golden Bear: I think Trump’s “51st state” bloviating about Canada is key here: he clearly has no fucking idea how a Canadian would respond to that. If you’ve ever even met a Canadian while having a US passport, and especially if you’ve hung around with a bunch of slightly tipsy Canadians in Ottawa on Le Jour Du Canada Day, you know.
Scamp Dog
@Scamp Dog: The door was locked, but I knocked a well-dressed 20ish young lady let me in. I explained that I was concerned about Musk having access to the Treasury payments system, and a slightly older male staffer came up and talked with me. I reiterated that I didn’t like Musk having access to everyone’s personal information and the ability to control the flow of money. I also mentioned that Evans must have worked so hard to get elected, and if Musk stays in control of the money, there won’t be much use for congressional representatives.
They were polite and promised to keep in touch. I’ll let everyone know what I hear back.
Steve LaBonne
@Matt McIrvin: The crazy thing is, drug smuggling and immigration are issues that actually are relevant to Mexico and on which Mexico can make some kind of deal to let Dump declare victory. But they’re irrelevant to Canada. There is no concrete actionable demand made to Canada except the completely absurd one of letting itself be annexed. This is quite literally insane and I can’t see an endgame.
Steve LaBonne
@Matt McIrvin: Dump is unable to comprehend patriotism because he cares about nothing and nobody but Dump.
A Ghost to Most
@Sister Golden Bear: contractors provide vast services for DOD. This could cripple the military.
Ohio Mom
@Betty Cracker: Sounds believable.
tobie
@Kay: I sometimes think about starting a business called ‘trading with friends’ which would do research for manufacturers abroad that want to make sure that the US suppliers they rely on for parts and materials didn’t support Trump in the last election. If I lose my job, I may have to do this. I’ve been impressed with how many friends in Europe are able to distinguish between blue and red America.
Redshift
USAID press event is at 1pm, if any other DC area folks want to go. I’m going to try to get there. In the press release, they call it an illegal shutdown, so I don’t think they’re going to be pulling any punches.
RevRick
@Matt McIrvin: Protests are both completely useless at accomplishing any meaningful goals and also ugly opportunities for bad actors to make things go terribly wrong.
Personal visits to Senators and their staff, however, help move the needle.
oldgold
@Betty Cracker: Like you, when I called my Senator today, Grassley, no one picked up and I got an extremely choppy recorded message.
Ohio Mom
@Scamp Dog: I am surprised they let you in, elected officials generally are worried about their security (with good reason, probably). Bet they double-locked the door as soon as tou left.
NotMax
Computer picked the wrong week for the C: drive (SSD) to go kablooey.
Trying to follow happenings on an ancent* tablet.
90+% of files personally important are on the D: drive so little agita there.
*as in “stone knives and bearskins”
geg6
@Leto:
Man, am I glad I retired and am now missing this nightmare. This will be an issue for sure.
Steve LaBonne
@RevRick: I went to a number of immigration and BLM protests in Trumpreich I. In retrospect I can’t see that they accomplished much. Now, pushing 70, I’m less inclined.
Matt McIrvin
@Steve LaBonne: Canada has taken this as a declaration of intent to invade. Which is, as I said, exactly what anyone who has ever talked to a Canadian at any length would expect them to do.
Is it a declaration of intent to invade? Maybe, but knowing Trump I would expect him to literally say “I AM GOING TO INVADE CANADA” first and expect Americans to not take him seriously. Right now he seems to think these tactics will lead them to voluntarily join the United States, which is dumb even for Trump.
Ohio Mom
@Sister Golden Bear: I hope this is true. The last half of Ohio Dad’s career was soent at military contractors and his fellow workers tended to range from Rino to Tea Party/MAGA. Maybe not getting paid will get through to them.
Gloria DryGarden
@Steve LaBonne: i agree!
Pollyanna reminds me of something Machiavelli says: do not deal your enemies a small injury.
Kay
@tobie:
It IS nice, to get a genuine message of concern.
Last week I had a Danish acquaintance ask “what is it like? Do you feel ‘normal’?
It’s what I always wonder about collapsing states – what people feel day to day watching it. It’s what I would ask.
kindness
@RevRick: With all due respect, protests work.
Ohio Mom
@oldgold: Same for my Republican Senators and I called five different offices. I wrote them emails to ensure they heard from me. Then I wrote them another email telling them it was their responsibility to accept comment from their constituents, please fix your answering machines.
lowtechcyclist
@Steve LaBonne:
Also the raising of the debt ceiling should be in increments that will be reached again in months rather than years, so that they can’t turn around and say, “ha ha, the debt ceiling’s raised, now we can do whatever the fuck we want.”
Steve LaBonne
@lowtechcyclist: Yeah, before I thought getting rid of it permanently would be a worthwhile goal, but now I think your approach is the right one.
pajaro
@Ohio Mom:
AID does lifesaving work all over the world. Sanitation, disease prevention, development assistance, emergency relief. The US AID workers want to promote health and save lives. I know some of them, they do wonderful work. It’s not a surprise that ghouls like Musk and Trump have gone after them first. I have no idea whatsoever about your claim as regards the CIA.
Ohio Mom
@Matt McIrvin: Pride in the the early days — all civil rights movements back in the day — took place in a functioning democracy. You think Oberfell is going to stand in a dictatorship?
NotMax
Quote of the day.
“You’re despicable.”
– D. Duck
//
Ohio Mom
@pajaro: I thought USAID being a cover for intelligence operations was common knowledge but I will research my assumption. I don’t doubt that the civilian USAID workers are good people doing good things.
Steve LaBonne
@Gloria DryGarden: If all the military contractors are shut down, Dump won’t have a functioning army with which to invade Canada and Greenland.
Matt McIrvin
@Ohio Mom: The movement for Black civil rights in the 1950s-60s did *not* take place in a functioning democracy–that was the whole point. Part of the calculation, and it was kind of brutal, was that they had to get white people involved to the point that some white people got killed, and that would galvanize national opinion even among people who actually had power. That may have to happen here–some white cishet normies getting killed.
NotMax
Anyone else remember when W instructed USAID to immediately shutter all libraries in US embassies, many of which were a valuable resource for the local populace?
Jackie
This perked me up!
Tuberville will protest the most – after FFOTUS’s guaranteed meltdown.
Also read somewhere that USAID will be merged into the State Dept with Rubio named Acting Administrator?
lowtechcyclist
@oldgold:
I had the same problem this morning when I called Alsobrooks’ and Van Hollen’s offices: really choppy recorded messages. This was true on both my land line and cell, so I don’t think the problem was at my end. Same deal when I called two of Van Hollen’s district offices, which surprised me.
Jackie
@Matt McIrvin: Canadian hockey fans are reacting!
Go Canada!!!
Steve LaBonne
@Jackie: Which is completely illegal since USAID was established as an independent agency by Congress.
lowtechcyclist
@NotMax:
I think that one must’ve slipped by me at the time – it doesn’t ring any bells.
NotMax
@Jackie
As is his M.O., Rubio will come up short.
TBone
Hubby got his SS automatic deposit in his bank account, right on schedule. I hope the lobberscotchers can’t rescind it hahahaha!
I’m laughing because I don’t have any tears left. I will never panic, even though I might blanch momentarily.
FDRLincoln
We are assuming the GOP wants to raise the debt limit.
I’m predicting now that Musk and Trump (and Johnson) will not bother, won’t raise the limit, and will use the debt limit as an excuse to gut the remainder of the government.
WereBear
@lowtechcyclist: Upstate NY, same thing.
Also affected cash machines and cellular.
Leto
@geg6: yeah. These past 13-14 days have been… intense. I think that’s the nicest word I can use for it. The uncertainty over everything that’s happening, or not, is causing massive panic among staff. Mainly because they want to give accurate information and right now it’s all just a nebulous cloud.
I will hate for all eternity.
Steve LaBonne
@Jackie: En français since my Canadian ancestry is via Québec (as you can see from my surname).
Kay
@tobie:
My husband is a duel US/EU citizen so we could go to Denmark and stay there. But I would never leave my NY granddaughters to this women-hating junta, so that’s out.
Plus, I love a good fight:)
My husband has had it though. He wants to go, but not to Denmark, to Milan.
John S.
Sen. Cantwell seems to be in hiding. All of her numbers go straight to voicemail, and I’ve been trying all morning. Last week, I had no trouble reaching her staffers.
She has some statement up about her concern over Musk and his henchmen, but of course not a word about her vote to support the people who gave them the keys to the kingdom in the first place.
dc
@lowtechcyclist: It is a trade war, you asshole (I mean Hassett, not you, lowtech).
tobie
@Kay: Very true. Friends of mine in Germany and France have reached out to ask how I’m doing. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’m not sure I’d be bog-hearted enough distinguish between supporters and opponents of a regime that was wrecking the world economy.
TBone
@lowtechcyclist: Roy Cohn did it first, which I learned through an interest in cartography and folklore, believe it or not.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/william-gropper-map-american-folklore
Matt McIrvin
@Jackie: Of course they would! Canadians’ lack of obnoxious aggression in everyday social contexts fools Americans into thinking they’re some kind of wimps, but they’re not, they’re just Canadian! Offend their patriotism and it is ON.
TBone
@Kay: come sit by me
dc
I called Valerie Foushee’s office if Washington. The staff member directed me to her statements, which are fine, of course, but I asked if she was going to do more than give statements and informed her that some of her colleagues were going to USAID where employees were locked out. Then I got cut off :( I will call again when I’ve had enough coffee.
tobie
@Kay: I don’t blame him. I’m a dual national and have thought about leaving the country too but having lived most of my life here I’m not ready to give up the fight for American democracy, and I’m also not sure how safe any democracy is if we crumble this quickly.
**Food in Milan is great. And weekend hikes in the Bergamo area would be fun.
tobie
@Jackie: Schatz is a Schatz, literally a treasure in German but also a term of affection equivalent to “sweetie.”
Scout211
Senator Shatz via WSJ;
ETA: Late to the news, again.
Fair Economist
@Steve LaBonne:
Indeed. Contractors *fed* the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Good luck invading with starving soldiers.
NotMax
Except for the sterility, Asimov laid it out with The Mule in the Foundation trilogy.
//
TBone
@Steve LaBonne: that almost happened to me hahaha (hyperbole, but back in the day, when the local DelCo garage who also performed all State Police vehicle inspections refused to give me a new inspection sticker, they offered to purchase my Nissan Pathfinder instead). GTFOH! (Guffaw emoji goes here.)
Matt McIrvin
@tobie: Part of what’s going on here is a global phenomenon–I don’t relish the idea of fleeing the United States to a place where the same thing is just going to happen all over again. Maybe the egregious stupidity of Trump becomes a wakeup call like the negative example of the Third Reich was in the 20th century, but I’m not sure we can count on it.
TBone
@NotMax: I don’t have enough bandwidth to grok today, must need some weed. Think I’ll imbibe and BRB.
TBone
@tobie: like Schatze in the movie How to Marry a Millionaire!
Prometheus Shrugged
@Ohio Mom: I had numerous encounters with USAID folks when I was traveling internationally for my job (mostly island nations, but also Africa). There were more than a few Mistah Kurtz types and other overt grifters. You couldn’t tell what, exactly, they were doing, but in many cases, it sure seemed hinky. That was primarily during the Shrub administration, however, and I’m sure things can change with new generations of field personnel. Anyway, as a result of my experience, I’ve never been a big fan of USAID. But, as everyone here seems to agree, that’s not the point. The hostile and illegal takeover should trigger massive alarm bells.
Lily
live stream re USAID media event held by congresspeople near USAID building https://www.youtube.com/live/stI7ZIb9FDg
hueyplong
I don’t follow the concept of cutting off payments to contractors. Isn’t their goal to privatize all governmental functions so as to make everything contingent on paying contractors?
It only makes sense as a perceived way to crash the economy more quickly.
John S.
@NotMax:
I for one am looking forward to the introduction of The Mule in the Foundation show. Not so much here in our reality.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@Scamp Dog:
Somebody like Evans, who won his squeaker of a first term in a deliberately drawn “purple” district, really needs to hear from people like us.
And if he ignores people like us, hopefully it’ll come back to bite him in the ass…assuming we’re around in 2 years to bite.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@John S.:
Tell her that if you wanted a Senator who’s main reaction to anything was expressing concern, you’d move to Maine.
NotMax
“Road to Dystopia”
Worst Hope-Crosby movie ever.
//
Thor Heyerdahl
@Jackie: And when our nations were on better terms, Canadian hockey fans have sung the Star Spangled Banner en masse.
A little Stan Rogers to raise our spirits.
scav
@hueyplong: They may also be thinking of it more in PR power move! blah blah walking in with a sink ain’t I cool terms. Is not paying sub-contractors and then renegotiating lower terms a cheap-ass business ploy?
Sister Golden Bear
@TBone: Cash the SS deposit and hide it under the mattress before the inevitable bank runs begin after President Musk disbands the FDIC. I’m only half joking.
Redshift
@Lily: I’m down there, they’re doing really well.
NotMax
“We’re going to need more leopards”
//
WereBear
@NotMax: They are the most wide-ranging feline.
Gloria DryGarden
@Jackie: and well they should boo us.
Although it’s the goings on in DC that are the trouble.
I did read about the hockey game where they sang our anthem with us when the sound system broke, one time. Very kind. And how many of us could sing theirs to them? I can’t.
Sister Golden Bear
@NotMax: The leopards are all going to be put on weight loss drugs by the end of the week.
Lily
Representative Ilhan Omar speaking now
https://www.youtube.com/live/stI7ZIb9FDg
Steve LaBonne
@Gloria DryGarden: I can, in both languages. ;)
Tim C.
@hueyplong: I’m actually pretty sure these people don’t have some kind of master plan to destroy the economy to take over. They are just really evil and stupid.
Steve LaBonne
@Tim C.: Skum is a drug-addled moron. But breaking the government is catastrophic regardless of whether it’s the plan or a byproduct.
TBone
@Sister Golden Bear: thumbs up emoji! We just got our property tax invoice today, so it’ll be gone instantly upon “bank can release these deposited funds now.”
Redshift
Lots of talk about the different lies about USAID. The lie that they’re reviewing spending – in fact the systems for reviewing that the m have been shut down. The lie that it’s about efficiency or saving money. Ilhan Omar talking about taxpayers getting ripped off by sending people home with pay.
TBone
@Sister Golden Bear: lol!
Seonachan
@Steve LaBonne: I can too, but in neither of those languages.
Steve LaBonne
@Sister Golden Bear: My wife was asking me this morning whether we should clear out our savings account and stuff the money in a mattress. I’m not there… yet. Any indication of actually going after FDIC and I’ll get there right quick.
NotMax
@Tim C.
Replace Tubman on the twenty with Fred Trump?
trollhattan
All up in Liz Warren’s grill.
Redshift
Congressperson whose name I didn’t catch calling on those represented by Republicans to show up at their offices.
TBone
@NotMax: over my dead body GAH!
Jackie
@Gloria DryGarden:
My daughter has sang the NA for Mariners and Seahawks games. She sang the Canadian NA once, when the M’s were hosting the Blue Jays. Blue Jays fans in attendance gave her a roar of approval :D
TBone
@trollhattan: that fucking guy can kiss my large, white ass and I hope Liz tears him a new one somehow.
frosty
@FDRLincoln: … will use the debt limit as an excuse to gut the remainder of the government.
I agree. Why would these anarchists need legislation for anything, ever?
Redshift
Congresspeople now going inside the building to demand entrance to USAID and talk to any employees inside, since their email has been cut off and Musk has apparently issued a gag order.
TBone
OT and btw, Noah The Love Cat has performed another miracle, may be gaining weight again, is happy, alert, walking around, and sitting at our big living room picture windows watching hubby outside on the front lawn doing a little dancing and waving to him in the sunshine.
I am in a state of gobsmacked bliss over this, even if it’s a temporary reprieve.
I wish I could post a video of those two, hubby outside clowning for him and shouting so Noah can hear through the closed windows.
Steve LaBonne
@frosty: If the plutocrats think that will work out for them, they’re going to be in for a big surprise. Limited chaos orchestrated by them can benefit them. Utter chaos will not, to put it mildly.
Steve LaBonne
@TBone: Thank you for giving us some good news to celebrate!
Nelle
Jumping in here to say my husband and I are just back from our all Republican Congressional offices. We budgeted about 30 minutes (10 minutes each). We were two hours. One aide was in the Marines for 30 years and wanted to talk with my husband about his military experience. We were over an hour in the Congressman’s office. I’m already well-known from all my calling. I got ushered into an office and we had a long natter about immigration (this aide is very involved in refugee work and so we have that concern in common). But my points were that we need honest communication, no gaslighting, from our representatives about what is going on. That they are our public servants who are responsible for maintaining this system of government, including protecting the independent and unique role of Congress and that, right now, they are failing to protect their own power.
Probably makes no difference. But we done it.
tobie
@Redshift: Under what authority does Musk issue a gag order? Do you know if the order has been printed anywhere? no worries if you don’t.
Ohio Mom
@Prometheus Shrugged: I think both things could be true: aid workers doing important and lifesaving things, and intelligence agents skulking around.
Gloria DryGarden
@Steve LaBonne: in which case, US/ president don will get a big injury, not a small one. Then they/ we cannot resist.
polly says don’t just make our enemy mad, make them helpless, unable to fight back.
I was applying it to our fight to stop this. Polly is applying it to trump, that he’s backing down, and therefore not Machiavellian enough, thus he’s preparing his own destruction. I will beg Pollyanna to attend here and clarify. It’s slightly beyond my way of thinking.
TBone
@Steve LaBonne: I have been dumbfounded all day, trying not to jinx anything!
Redshift
@tobie: Nah, they didn’t give any details. No telling if it was Musk personally, or if it was for rhetorical effect, saying what we all know is true rather than literally. There’s been a bunch of stuff out today about Musk claiming authority by “I talked to the president about it,” though.
Redshift
@Nelle: Great work! It wont change anytime by itself, but every bit of pressure matters.
Gloria DryGarden
@TBone: i thought so! You can send me a video. This is excellent.
Steve LaBonne
@Ohio Mom: We know the Chinese use their aid programs for information gathering and some subterranean influence operations, and frankly I would be shocked if any major donor country doesn’t. By the way if USAID does have some working arrangements with the CIA, Skum has accessed information way above his security clearance (and his muskrats have none at all). That’s a really serious crime and I’m not sure there is a statute of limitations.
BarcaChicago
This may have already been posted, but the most salient element of the Action Call last night to me was from Leah and Ezra at Indivisible: they described how Mitch McConnell sent out a memo to Republicans to use all of their tools to block and build opposition to the ACA, and that we need to do the same now:
Slow it down, build opposition. This is what we all need to be saying to our reps when we call EVERY DAY. Also, anything but calls is wasted effort according to staffers. Personally, I found the Zoom helpful and inspiring, particularly Randi Weingarten and the Indivisible folks.
TBone
@Gloria DryGarden: 10-4 good buddy!
Gloria DryGarden
@Redshift: “l talked to the president about it”, isn’t the same as a written warrant or order. It’s hard to believe them, just on a verbal. Plus aren’t we saying president can’t legally do these things? I wish they could be made to put things in writing.
john b
@Jackie:
Re: Rubio acting director of USAID:
Surely most of this is bullshit.
And Senate Democratic response:
all from NYT
Steve LaBonne
@john b: “Have argued” is typical FTFNYT bullshit. It’s simply a fact that this is blatantly illegal.
Scamp Dog
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: They were friendly and interested in letting me know what was going on when they heard from Evans. I’ll sign up for his newsletter later today.
Dan B
@Ohio Mom: Gay Pride in Chicago was not in a democracy. It was Richard Daley, the mafia, the Vice Squad, and laws on the books. We found ways to force change. We faced arrest.
Kayla Rudbek
@tobie: check out Goods Unite Us
Ruckus
@Kay:
I’ve been to Denmark and Milan and I’d move to Denmark.
Nothing against Milan, I just like Denmark better. I’d also move to Norway, which I also liked. Now it’s been a rather long time ago that I was there, 53 or 54 yrs ago but it would have to get a hell of a lot worse for me to not want to live in either.
Ruckus
@hueyplong:
These are wealthy people, shitforbrains in a limited wealth way and elon in a massive, couldn’t spend it all in 10 lifetimes if he didn’t make another dime way.
As a side note, remember elon didn’t leave South America to get wealthy – he already was. I believe it started out as family money not earned by any physical work whatsoever.