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bolverk

Certifiably Surly
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Everything posted by bolverk

  1. And now Ted wants answers.
  2. A few points to be made here: Kim Don Orange and his Party of Small Government™ is threatening to yank funding from schools if they don't follow these Central Government mandates. A comment from some "nonpartisan" outfit pushing public funding for private schools states: "we’re not going to have values-neutral schools." Motherfucker, the whole notion of inclusivity is inextricably entwined with the Big Idea of America: it's called D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y, goddammit! You know, everyone is equal and we let everybody decide shit together. That sort of thing (This is why Republicans always go with the lie that we aren't a democracy but a republic. They don't like equality and inclusivity.). These edicts shouldn't have much of an effect in our system with its checks and balances, but we all know that Congress and SCOTUS will roll along with it. I like how the article ends, basically with the hint of a reminder that we don't have to go along with this shit and that, even now, there are ways to resist. With Sweeping Executive Orders, Trump Tests Local Control of Schools The orders seek to encourage “patriotic education” and restrict discussions about racism and gender by threatening to withdraw federal funding. But schools are often resistant to change. With a series of executive orders, President Trump has demonstrated that he has the appetite for an audacious fight to remake public education in the image of his “anti-woke,” populist political movement. But in a country unique among nations for its hyperlocal control of schools, the effort is likely to run into legal, logistical and funding trouble as it tests the limits of federal power over K-12 education. On Wednesday evening, Mr. Trump signed two executive orders. One was a 2,400-word behemoth focused mainly on race, gender and American history. It seeks to prevent schools from recognizing transgender identities or teaching about concepts such as structural racism, “white privilege” and “unconscious bias,” by threatening their federal funding. The order also promotes “patriotic” education that depicts the American founding as “unifying, inspiring and ennobling” while explaining how the United States “has admirably grown closer to its noble principles throughout its history.” The second order directs a swath of federal agencies to look for ways to expand access to private school vouchers. Both orders echo energetic conservative lawmaking in the states. Over the past five years, the number of children using taxpayer dollars for private education or home-schooling costs has doubled, to one million. More than 20 states have restricted how race, gender and American history can be discussed in schools. States and school boards have banned thousands of books. It is not clear what real-world effect the new federal orders might have in places where shifts are not already underway. States and localities provide 90 percent of the funding for public education — and have the sole power to set curriculums, tests, teaching methods and school-choice policies. The orders are likely to strain against the limits of the federal government’s role in K-12 education, a role that Mr. Trump has said should be reduced. That paradox is a “confounding” one, said Derrell Bradford, president of 50CAN, a nonpartisan group that supports private school choice. He applauded the executive order on vouchers and said that taken together, the two orders mark a major moment in the centuries-old debate over what values the nation’s schools should impart. “You can like it or not, but we’re not going to have values-neutral schools,” he said. Still, there are many legal questions about the administration’s ability to restrict federal funding in order to pressure schools. The major funding stream that supports public schools, known as Title I, goes out to states in a formula set by Congress, and the president has little power to restrict its flow. “It seems like a significant part of the strategy is to set priorities through executive order and make the Congress or the Supreme Court respond — as they are supposed to in a system of checks and balances,” Mr. Bradford said. The executive branch does control smaller tranches of discretionary funding, but they may not be enough to persuade school districts to change their practices. cont'd
  3. @realgreggym will be shocked!!!
  4. Based on this short piece, it sounds like several Russian citizens were on board, like, a significant share of the passengers. U.S. and Russian Figure Skaters Among Passengers on Crashed Jet Members of the U.S. figure skating community were traveling on the commercial jet that collided with a military helicopter outside Washington. They were returning from a skate camp in Kansas. Figure skaters from the United States and Russia were among the 64 people onboard the commercial jet that collided midair with an Army helicopter and crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night outside Washington. U.S. Figure Skating, the American governing body for the sport, said that the skaters were returning from a training camp for top juvenile, intermediate, and novice skaters that follows the national figure skating championships, which were held in Wichita, Kan., over the weekend. Russian figure skaters — as well as other Russian citizens — were among those on the plane, said the Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov. “We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” said the statement from Alex Schauffler, the communications director for U.S. Figure Skating. As of early Thursday morning, no fatalities had been confirmed. Jon Maravilla, an American pairs figure skater, told RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, that there were “about 14 figure skaters on the plane, not counting their parents and coaches.” “Such a tragedy,” Mr. Maravilla said, adding that he did not want to give their names. U.S. Figure Skating did not confirm the number of its members on board and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russian state news agencies also reported that three former figure skaters from Russia were on the plane. The U.S. national championships are held annually in different cities around the country. Leading up to the competition, skaters must compete in qualifying rounds at regional competitions. U.S. Figure Skating was founded in 1921 and is based in Colorado Springs. It comprises both amateur and professional skating clubs and has almost 900 member clubs. “We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends and coaches, are understood to be among those on board,” the International Skating Union said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport — it’s a close-knit family — and we stand together.”
  5. Wordle 1,321 2/6 🟨🟨🟨⬛🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Connections Puzzle #599 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🙂 Daily Quordle 1102 7️⃣6️⃣ 4️⃣5️⃣ m-w.com/games/quordle/ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜ 🟩⬜🟨⬜🟩 ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
  6. AND the East Palestine train derailment AND the recent LA fires.
  7. Talking heads on TV are reporting the military says the Blackhawk was on a routine training flight out of Davison AAF.
  8. I listened to a good chunk of that air traffic audio recording, and I couldn't understand hardly anything anyone said. I sure hope ATC & pilots have better audio than what I heard. Of course, they've got a shitload more experience listening to the radio chatter than I do.
  9. Good catch. Edit: Different source and different stat.
  10. I haven't verified it but just read that this will likely be the deadliest aviation accident in the US since 9/11.
  11. Got a link for that news story or at least whose tweet you copy/pasted?
  12. Despite governor's pardon, [CONVICTED MURDERER & PROBABLE PEDOPHILE] Daniel Perry faces misdemeanor for driving into crowd of protesters The former Army sergeant pardoned by Gov. Greg Abbott for murdering a Black Lives Matter protester will go back on trial for a lesser charge. Daniel Perry was driving for Uber when he got into an altercation with Garrett Foster, fatally shooting him in downtown Austin in 2020. Perry was convicted of murder in 2023, but was pardoned by the governor last year. Travis County prosecutors convinced a grand jury that Perry's use of his vehicle during the incident endangered bystanders. He now faces a deadly conduct charge. The case is being handled by Travis County Attorney Delia Garza's office. It said it does not comment on ongoing cases. Judge Carlos Barrera confirmed he dismissed a motion by Perry's attorneys to drop the charge Tuesday night. Perry’s attorneys had argued the charge is vague and that he’d already gone on trial for the incident. Doug O'Connell, one of Perry's attorneys, wasn't available for comment Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, Perry faces up to a year in state jail and a $4,000 fine.
  13. wrong thread
  14. It's super duper unlikely, I agree. Just throw it on the shitfuck pile of hero-worship asslicking with all the other examples of cultish behavior put on display to garner favor from His MAGAsty like giving the fucker a third term.
  15. Even peaceniks have a breaking point.
  16. Anna Paulina Lunatic (R-FL) introduced a bill to add Trump to Mt. Rushmore today. https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/trump-mount-rushmore-house-bill
  17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pableaux_Johnson
  18. One-time Austinite and Trinity grad, Pableaux Johnson. He was a good friend of a couple of friends. https://www.nola.com/news/pableaux-johnson-dies/article_8dcbe608-dc49-11ef-93af-ebc56bc9752d.html
  19. Buttigieg Says Maybe, Whitmer Says No Way to Michigan Senate Race The suddenly open seat in a top-tier battleground has several Michigan politicians taking a serious look. Senator Gary Peters’s decision to retire has opened up a marquee Senate race in Michigan, a pre-eminent battleground state that President Trump flipped in November. The announcement this week from Mr. Peters, a Democrat, set off a flurry of political activity in Michigan — especially among his party’s deep bench of ambitious politicians, some of whom are also considering a run for governor. Here’s a snapshot of some of the people who might jump into the Senate contest: Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary Mr. Buttigieg, the former presidential candidate and transportation secretary, is a relatively recent Michigan transplant, growing up in Indiana and becoming a Michigan resident in 2022, moving to Traverse City. “I have a lot of humility about having only moved to Michigan a few years ago,” he said in an interview last month, asked at the time about a run for governor. “Although, of course, I did grow up in the neighborhood.” Mr. Buttigieg is taking a “serious look” at a Senate bid, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking who insisted on Tuesday on anonymity to discuss the private deliberations, adding that he was “exploring all of his options.” Mr. Buttigieg is also seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. What about Gretchen Whitmer? Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who is term-limited in 2026, quickly and colorfully took herself out of contention for Mr. Peters’s seat on Tuesday. “Three letters: N.F.W.,” she said on “The View,” using an abbreviation for “no way” with an expletive in the middle. “I’ve got a lot of things I want to get done as governor. What comes after that? I don’t know yet, I really don’t,” said Ms. Whitmer, who is also seen as a potential presidential candidate. “I will never totally check out, but I might want to walk the earth for a little while and get reacquainted with my family and myself,” she added. But her lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist II, who has been looking at a bid for governor, is now also “seriously considering” a run for the Senate, according to two people with knowledge of his thinking. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association will commit to spending seven figures on Mr. Gilchrist’s behalf if he runs for Senate, Kevin Holst, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. The state attorney general, Dana Nessel, is also subject to term limits and cannot seek re-election in 2026, and she is mentioned by some Democrats as a potential contender. A Lineup of Democratic Lawmakers Plenty of other Democrats, including federal and state legislators, are mulling the race. Mallory McMorrow, a state senator who won national Democratic acclaim in 2022 with a speech defending liberal values while identifying herself as a “straight, white, Christian, married suburban mom,” said she had not ruled out a run for either governor or the Senate. “I’m taking a serious look at both the governor and Senate seats, and plan to have many conversations over the coming days to see where I might be best suited to serve Michiganders,” Ms. McMorrow, who lives in suburban Detroit, said in a text message on Tuesday. House members who have won difficult races in the past are also looking at the Senate race, including the moderate Representatives Haley Stevens, of suburban Detroit, and Hillary Scholten, from the Grand Rapids area. Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Wayne County health director who ran unsuccessfully against Ms. Whitmer in the 2018 primary, could also look at a bid. What About Republicans? Senator Tim Scott, who is the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, had been recruiting for the Michigan seat for weeks ahead of Tuesday’s announcement. “My phone continues to ring,” he said in an interview. Among those considering a run is Representative Bill Huizenga, according to a person with knowledge of his thinking. Representative John James and former Representative Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost a Senate race last fall, are also drawing mention as possible candidates. Tudor Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully against Ms. Whitmer in 2022, is also a potential candidate for Senate or the governor’s race. On Tuesday, she wrote on social media that she was “considering our future very seriously.” Kevin Rinke, a former auto dealership owner who lost to Ms. Dixon in the primary that year, could also jump into the race. “One thing is for sure,” he wrote on social media on Tuesday. “Michigan is open for the taking. Stay tuned.”
  20. Some helpful info for those in need, of which we’ve got a few right here on this page: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services
  21. Early on during the first term, Bannon stated their goal was to "dismantle the administrative state." I guess that phrase can be interpreted in various ways, but this is more than simply reducing the size of government to save tax dollars/increase efficiency.
  22. NYTimes put together a list (organized by department) of the approximately 2,600 programs mentioned in the funding freeze. It's a pretty astonishing list. I recommend doing some keyword searches on things to see the impact, such as rural, economic, academic, housing, veterans, etc. Some of the dollar amounts attached to the programs are paltry; others climb up into the $billions. Hopefully, this gifted link works because I ain't copy/pasting all of this. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/28/upshot/federal-programs-funding-trump-omb.html?unlocked_article_code=1.s04.qNfh.kv-HCPikQ7up&smid=url-share
  23. No great, Bob. Wordle 1,320 5/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛🟨 ⬛⬛⬛🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛🟩🟩 ⬛🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Connections Puzzle #598 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟪🟪🟩🟪 🟪🟪🟪🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🙂 Daily Quordle 1101 7️⃣4️⃣ 6️⃣5️⃣ m-w.com/games/quordle/ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩⬜🟩🟨⬜ 🟨⬜⬜🟩🟩 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩⬜🟨⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬜⬜🟨🟨⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜🟨 ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩 🟩⬜⬜🟩⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩 ⬜🟨⬜🟩⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
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