tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post6421880442620328821..comments2024-03-27T12:56:38.992-07:00Comments on The Skeptical Bureaucrat: Not Someone Detached From the DetailsTSBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-7885335119639027552013-09-30T23:06:05.523-07:002013-09-30T23:06:05.523-07:00TSB: Forget about Mon nite Football; here's to...TSB: Forget about Mon nite Football; here's today's KABOOM!from Juan Cole: "Frighteningly, Secretary of State John Kerry recently demanded that Iran’s Fordow facility be opened to inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. But Fordow has been regularly inspected! If a worldly US official of such long experience in foreign affairs can make such a serious error because he has swallowed too much propaganda, what hope do we in the alternative media have at correcting the record?" <br /> I hope diplopndt gives us a detailed STATE furlough rundown. I'd like to see if the propaganda dept is considered mission critical. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-82292160548026206342013-09-30T07:13:52.362-07:002013-09-30T07:13:52.362-07:00TSB: I know this will never be mentioned by reputa...TSB: I know this will never be mentioned by reputable sources but it appears that the NCTC is mainly tasked with collecting every bit of data on US citizens. I'm looking forward to seeing the Intelligence Committee dismiss this as fear mongering by an out of control press! gwb<br />http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-09-29/nsa-central-us-assassination-programAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-29364787520856051772013-09-29T10:48:05.574-07:002013-09-29T10:48:05.574-07:00James, GWB,
Thanks. I think the shutdown is more...James, GWB, <br /><br />Thanks. I think the shutdown is more drama than real impasse, but it will be a bad week or two for USG employes without savings.<br /><br />Now, if the impasse were over whether to eliminate all ACA waivers and exemptions, well, that would tie Congress up in knots indifinitely. TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-33742809709836613712013-09-29T06:48:04.571-07:002013-09-29T06:48:04.571-07:00TSB: This article attempts to answer who will be f...TSB: This article attempts to answer who will be furloughed. It looks like STATE is a big unknown because?? 'mission critical' probably varies greatly from place to place: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/09/27/us/who-goes-to-work-during-government-shutdown.html?hp&_r=0<br />This can't be good for morale but I like the proposal to let the Dems have ACA for 15 mo's but eliminate all the exemptions and then have a sunset vote. That would sink it! Huntsman for Prez!!<br />gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-3849987678753038442013-09-29T03:23:35.223-07:002013-09-29T03:23:35.223-07:00Good luck.Good luck.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-70223356418611650702013-09-28T19:57:54.580-07:002013-09-28T19:57:54.580-07:00TSB: Good luck! The pressure will really be on to ...TSB: Good luck! The pressure will really be on to end this fast. I think the democrats having jammed this monstrosity thru without reading it has finally caught up with them. gwb Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-54922462831880818582013-09-28T18:58:55.678-07:002013-09-28T18:58:55.678-07:00GWB: I'm not sure yet how a gov't shutdown...GWB: I'm not sure yet how a gov't shutdown will affect me, but most likely I'll have to keeping going to work anyway (essential function related to security), only I won't have any assurance of eventually getting paid for that time. The biggest problem will be paying bills while not getting a paycheck(s).<br /><br />Most times, these budget negotiations are lots of drama but no real shutdown. This time might be the real thing. TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-53639569209759342282013-09-28T18:52:22.105-07:002013-09-28T18:52:22.105-07:00GWB: Thanks for pointing out the Royce bill:
http...GWB: Thanks for pointing out the Royce bill:<br /><br />http://www.gop.gov/bill/113/1/hr2848<br /><br />It fully funds new embassy construction plans, plus security upgrades, adds some Marine Security Guards, and comes with some oversight concentrating on the high risk posts. That's all good. <br /><br />On the down side, I see it also caps locality pay for Foreign Service Officers posted overseas, which means those FSOs will get less pay than they get when assigned in Washington, DC (where locality pay adds 24% to base pay). Since FS employees spend most of their careers overseas, this eventually reduces their pensions, as well. Other agency personnel who are posted overseas are usually Civil Service employees, and they retain their locality pay when they are overseas on TDY status (which can last a year or longer). <br /><br />It's inequitable treatment, but, it's also an absolute political loser for State to lobby for locality pay for people who are actually located overseas. TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-34660166128734805932013-09-28T11:42:39.465-07:002013-09-28T11:42:39.465-07:00TSB: Ed Royce bill to fully fund overseas STATE se...TSB: Ed Royce bill to fully fund overseas STATE security! Nobody gonna vote against that today! gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-38428953974769755172013-09-28T11:26:56.058-07:002013-09-28T11:26:56.058-07:00TSB: House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)...TSB: House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said it would be the “fastest whip check in history,” as every member raised their hand, saying they would support the bill.<br /><br />I think Cruz and Lee did a lot to make this happen. How will a Tues shutdown affect state workers? gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-1124764309282503332013-09-28T09:15:08.557-07:002013-09-28T09:15:08.557-07:00TSB: This Syria thing is starting to look pretty e...TSB: This Syria thing is starting to look pretty easy. Just let the Russians have their way in working out the poison gas destruction with<br />Assad and the inspectors. It is now clearer that the brits and germans and Russians supplied Syria with the program essentials<br />(see here: http://www.juancole.com/2013/09/queue-twilight-hawks.html)<br />so it's time to turn away from regime change and look for a political settlement. Ditto for Iran! gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-1411969431773503542013-09-28T00:48:08.286-07:002013-09-28T00:48:08.286-07:00TSB: This is pretty good!
http://www.theguardian....TSB: This is pretty good! <br />http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/27/ron-wyden-nsa-systematically-deceived<br /><br />Sen. Ron Wyden: NSA 'repeatedly deceived the American people'<br /><br />NSA'S Alexander is clearly not used to any oversight from this committee which is packed with sycophants. It will be interesting to see if Wyden's bill gets out of committee. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-71885955483327312292013-09-27T07:32:17.090-07:002013-09-27T07:32:17.090-07:00SENATE CHAPLAIN: 'Lord, deliver us from govern...SENATE CHAPLAIN: 'Lord, deliver us from governing by crisis'...<br /><br />TSB: Here is your Friday chuckle!<br />gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-85725714385735163122013-09-27T03:05:24.566-07:002013-09-27T03:05:24.566-07:00"Patterson ought to borrow them and maybe bri..."Patterson ought to borrow them and maybe bring them back into fashion. Retro jewelry - why not?"<br />If the diplomatic community was the sole audience I would stand in applause, but for the world at large it would be a great cruelty.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-40444635696680965782013-09-26T18:46:50.249-07:002013-09-26T18:46:50.249-07:00Yes James: I think Madeline says all those broache...Yes James: I think Madeline says all those broaches were gifts from diplomatic friends so she has to say she loves em. They probably scare her too. Besides, it sort of takes your mind of listening to how great Bill and Hillary were on foreign policy and terrorism. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-78365870062365331052013-09-26T17:23:51.876-07:002013-09-26T17:23:51.876-07:00James, Madeleine loved those broaches! She had al...James, Madeleine loved those broaches! She had all kinds, with political symbolism and everything. Amb. Patterson ought to borrow them and maybe bring them back into fashion. Retro jewelry - why not? TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-30871836999735149682013-09-26T17:18:36.688-07:002013-09-26T17:18:36.688-07:00GWB: The ACA rollout isn't going well so far. ...GWB: The ACA rollout isn't going well so far. The DC exchange announced it won't be able to calculate subsidies or do new entries into Medicaid. Kaiser Permanente has a calculator that is showing some people premiums of double what they pay now, and apparently the ACA one-size policies have huge deductibles plus co-pays. People who have been sold on ACA = free health care are going to be unhappy.TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-51357438842696959842013-09-26T09:35:28.395-07:002013-09-26T09:35:28.395-07:00TSB: The Germans have offered $2.7 million to help...TSB: The Germans have offered $2.7 million to help destroy Syria's stockpiles of gases. The Russians are offering troops to guard the stockpiles and the gas destroying crew. I'm anxious to see what Kerry says to this impressive start. gwb<br />http://rt.com/news/russia-syria-destroyed-chemical-weapons-402/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-47514555799106027342013-09-26T08:01:05.569-07:002013-09-26T08:01:05.569-07:00http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/nsa-r...http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/25/nsa-reform-bill-surveillance-congress<br />TSB: This may be a realistic start to countering domestic NSA spying but it is already clear that when NSA wants to go around the law it simply has the Brits do it for us. <br />Clearly the NSA intends to spy on anyone they want anytime for any reason. I think the rest of 'our friends' have this figured out and realize it is up to them to do something about it. They will do it by creating networks that don't connect to the NSA or the USA and Brazil, China, India will probably be the leaders. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-26323181912984740562013-09-25T22:33:15.514-07:002013-09-25T22:33:15.514-07:00TSB: When Pepe Escobar is knocking out columns eve...TSB: When Pepe Escobar is knocking out columns every other day that means big things are happenin! Tomorrow is the security council meeting about Iran. Pepe's close: <br /><br />It all comes back to the same drama; will Obama and his team have enough balls to stare down the Israel lobby, the House of Saud, the neo-cons and assorted armchair warmongers across the Beltway? If not, the War Party victory will mirror the anti-Rouhani hardline victory in Tehran - with devastating consequences. <br />My answer: Guts! Are you kidding or haven't you been paying attention to that Syria-Putin deal? Obama will tell Kerry to keep it in the middle of the fairway and then cheat on the short puts. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-78096265499833613322013-09-25T13:37:13.330-07:002013-09-25T13:37:13.330-07:00TSB: Hats off to Mike Lee (R-Utah)!
I learned as m...TSB: Hats off to Mike Lee (R-Utah)!<br />I learned as much from him last nite as from Cruz. (at 1st I thought he was a Dr. from the way he was explaining the details.) <br />1. For 18-30 yo's they are being forced to buy insurance for a lot of crap they neither want or need.<br />2. The main route to lower insurance costs-allowing ins to sell across state lines was not done= no competition=sell out<br />3.The Medicaid changes are clearly unconstitutional because with them the Feds take over the state's Medicaid admin machinery and tell it what it can do.<br />4. The goal admitted by all the libs (including quotes) is a single payer for all but those who can afford to pay privately or travel elsewhere.<br />5.77% of job gains this year are part time so 29 hr work week will at least match the French! So it's a big job creator. I just saw Jake Tapper try unsuccessfully to rip him. This was a very successful effort by Cruz and Lee. gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-77478622575242644062013-09-25T12:57:18.975-07:002013-09-25T12:57:18.975-07:00TSB: It's looking like the Nairobi
massacre ha...TSB: It's looking like the Nairobi<br />massacre had about double the toll that was dribbled out and destroyed the whole place. Also sounds like the CTTF training didn't involve defending REALLY vulnerable targets. I think that chapter reads: Call the FBI? gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-61044052882005889472013-09-25T06:34:59.736-07:002013-09-25T06:34:59.736-07:00TSB: "I keep finding these Russians making di...TSB: "I keep finding these Russians making diplomatic sense on Syria,".<br />Saul Alinsky read their book.<br />GWB: " Patterson has no answers but a great broach so I'm sure she is Madeline Albright approved." You're flirting with some scary imagery!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-39238179846477076652013-09-25T06:09:19.183-07:002013-09-25T06:09:19.183-07:00Amen TSB! I've been enjoying all the tv regula...Amen TSB! I've been enjoying all the tv regulars, especially the politicians dissing Ted Cruz for damaging the party, damaging himself and (horror) raising the danger of a gov shutdown! So far his best point has been the one you make: Ask Obama why it's not good enough for the WH and ask Reid why it's not good enough for him! gwbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5803385070922797451.post-1199414461815307862013-09-24T19:15:08.677-07:002013-09-24T19:15:08.677-07:00GWB: I like Starr, too. He does well with Congress...GWB: I like Starr, too. He does well with Congress, and he's also a manager who has credibility with the troops.<br /><br />On Obamacare/ACA, if I were the Republicans, I'd be filibustering to revoke the waivers the White House granted and enforce all of ACA right now. No more delaying until the next election is over. If nothing else, we'd find out how popular ACA is without all the hundreds of deals that were cut to get it passed. TSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790614121966204073noreply@blogger.com