State Department Will Close 132 Offices

"Offices" doesn't mean embassies. It means actual offices or sub-departments. Tiny little bureaucratic fiefdoms pushing the Marxist worldview.

The Trump administration is carrying out the largest shake-up at the State Department in decades, closing 132 offices and slashing bureaucratic layers as part of a broader push to downsize the federal government and realign U.S. foreign policy priorities.
Key Details:
The number of State Department offices will drop from 734 to 602, a 17% reduction.
The overhaul will eliminate 700 positions and restructure foreign aid by dissolving USAID.
Offices tied to human rights, war crimes, and "countering extremism" are among those being closed or absorbed.
Diving Deeper:
In a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. State Department, the Trump administration plans to close 132 offices in Washington, D.C., targeting programs that officials argue have become bloated, redundant, or misaligned with America's core interests. The move is part of a broader government-wide effort to reduce bureaucratic sprawl and refocus foreign policy efforts on strategic priorities.

...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has long advocated for restructuring the agency, called the current State Department "bloated, bureaucratic, and unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission in this new era of great power competition." In a statement, Rubio said the changes will "empower the Department from the ground up" and ensure that U.S. diplomacy serves American interests first.
...
Among the most notable changes:
The Office of Global Criminal Justice--tasked with advising on genocide and war crimes--is being abolished, with some of its responsibilities shifting to the department's legal division.
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO), which received over $330 million since 2016, is slated for closure. Its functions, officials say, are duplicative and poorly defined.
Programs for "Countering Violent Extremism" are being phased out, as the administration believes they overlap with existing counterterrorism and narcotics enforcement efforts.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a flagship foreign aid institution founded in 1961, will cease to exist by July 1. Its operations are being folded into regional State Department bureaus or other existing offices.
A new Bureau of Emerging Threats will be created to focus on cyber defense and global digital threats.
The reorganization also mandates a 15% personnel reduction at six top offices within 30 days. Though leadership notified Congress in a short letter this week, a more detailed explanation is expected in the coming weeks.
...
Rubio dismissed reports from The New York Times suggesting Africa-focused programs would be targeted as "fake news," saying the plan is not about reducing presence abroad but making the mission abroad more effective.

The first rumors about this I heard from the leftwing media, claiming that Trump planned to close many of the embassies in Africa. Once again, they just lied to farm outrage clicks.

Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?!

Posted by: Ace at 12:22 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 The Office of Global Criminal Justice--tasked with advising on genocide and war crimes--is being abolished, with some of its responsibilities shifting to the department's legal division.
___

Oh no, who will stop genocide now that the US Office of Global Criminal Justice is closing?

Anyway.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at April 22, 2025 12:24 PM (Dv3i1)

2 123

Posted by: Can Pick'em at April 22, 2025 12:24 PM (G5+As)

3 5

Posted by: DBCooper at April 22, 2025 12:24 PM (3oMnW)

4 Hi Ace
I'm here

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:25 PM (t/2Uw)

5 Massive 'Mystery Explosions' Rock Ammo Depot Outside Moscow, Resulting In Mushroom Cloud

State of emergency and large-scale evacuation declared

Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (RHGPo)

6 >>>The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a flagship foreign aid institution founded in 1961, will cease to exist by July 1. Its operations are being folded into regional State Department bureaus or other existing offices.

lol is that how we're defining USAID?

How about "a corrupt quasi-agency set up for the CIA's benefit to project soft power around the world by financing coups and revolutions all over the place, but largely also used as a gigantic money laundering operation by people who should be, in any sane universe, tarred and feathered and chased out of the country by angry crowds with pitchforks"?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (uCjyK)

7 Fewer meddling bureaucrats is always better.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (tT6L1)

8 Where will all our bloated, redundant employees pretend to work if we close all the bloated, redundant offices?

Posted by: Dept. of Redundancy at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (G5+As)

9 We need a reorganization so that the State Department will represent the United States.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (jc0TO)

10 I’m sure the usual assholes who had no idea these offices existed in the first place will, of course, be outraged.

Posted by: Bicentennialguy at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (+K1xO)

11 CIA hardest hit.

Posted by: Nick in Tallahassee at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (D/T9Y)

12 The Africans would probably be relieved.

Posted by: steevy at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (YwEeS)

13 State of emergency and large-scale evacuation declared

Posted by: SMOD
Appropriately posted by SMOD.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (t/2Uw)

14 To be clear, I don't think it's any kind of improvement to have USAID shuffled over to State.

You know they'll be just as corrupt and horrible as the CIA. And State already has more than enough of it's own slush funds, which are being used in the same way USAID is.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (uCjyK)

15 The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a flagship foreign aid institution founded in 1961, will cease to exist by July 1. Its operations are being folded into regional State Department bureaus or other existing offices.

... just how will all the NGOs operate ?

Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (RHGPo)

16 Feels like Monday Part 2.

Posted by: Max Power at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (q177U)

17 Once again, they just lied to farm outrage clicks.
-------

And for the cause. "Trump hates Africa" isn't just good business, it keeps their little useful idiots imprisoned in their own dumb heads.

Posted by: ... at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (E0p3T)

18 So far, so good with Dondi. We will see. And I hope he keeps up the purge.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (gm9Sb)

19 Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?!

Hunky-dory, Ace. How are you?

Posted by: mrp at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (rj6Yv)

20 Not so fast

Posted by: Hawaiian Judge at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (VE6XX)

21 saying the plan is not about reducing presence abroad but making the mission abroad more effective.
_________________________

That's even worse!!!

Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (iPlTF)

22 ... just how will all the NGOs operate ?
Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (RHGPo)

Worry you not, USAID is but one of dozens or hundreds of similar organizations in our US government.

I'm sure State and Defense might have to shuffle a few bucks around, but the NGO's will march on!

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (uCjyK)

23 Massive 'Mystery Explosions' Rock Ammo Depot Outside Moscow, Resulting In Mushroom Cloud

State of emergency and large-scale evacuation declared
Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (RHGPo)
------------

Meanwhile we had some member of the House over in Ukraine signing bombs or some such which were to be used on Russia.

The PTB are bound and determined to create a wider war with Russia.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (tT6L1)

24 >> The number of State Department offices will drop from 734 to 602

601 too many..

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (l3YAf)

25 I have been pleasantly surprised with Rubio. He’s been impressive.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (u73oe)

26 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (t/2Uw)

27 Is there a government in, say, Somalia, to represent the US to? Why have an embassy in Zimbabwe or South Africa?

Posted by: Rob Crawford at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (6/frM)

28 So far, so good with Dondi. We will see. And I hope he keeps up the purge.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM

His garbage is looking more and more attractive.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (jc0TO)

29 Dang, I was just going to start planning genocides and war crimes. Now where do I go for this information?

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (w9Wax)

30 The haunting vision of that stalwart, overweight lady dying alone at the Social Security Office follows me everywhere. And Trump wants more of it!

Posted by: Memento Mori at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (G5+As)

31 Keep those offices open!!!

Posted by: Judge Boozeberg at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (63Dwl)

32

The number of State Department offices will drop from 734 to 602, a 17% reduction.

What do they actually do?

Holy shit.

Posted by: E Buzz at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (KSizW)

33 More good news. The Department of Redundancy Department needs to be slashed.

Posted by: Farquad at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (JOJ7f)

34 ... just how will all the NGOs operate ?
Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (RHGPo)

You mean the ones that haven't folded up and stole away during the night?

Posted by: mrp at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (rj6Yv)

35 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?

They are, but it was inevitable. We all knew the real battle was with judges, and Trump is prepping the battlefield as we speak.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (s8j++)

36 Keep those offices open!!!
Posted by: Judge Boozeberg at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM (63Dwl)

How else will I get paid for my booze!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (VNX3d)

37 Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?

I’m fine, had a nice Easter break. Just now watching our beautiful FLOTUS read a book to the children at yesterday’s festivities.

The floral arrangements are elegant and beautiful. The Biden’s Easter decorations were just garish.

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (jmrxB)

38 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?
====

Well, we ain’t just over here whistlin’ “Dixie,” you know….

Posted by: Your Rulers in Black Robes at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (+K1xO)

39 Rubio dismissed reports from The New York Times suggesting Africa-focused programs would be targeted as "fake news

Huh? Why are schemes for Africa untouchable?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (mlg/3)

40 Meanwhile we had some member of the House over in Ukraine signing bombs or some such which were to be used on Russia.

The PTB are bound and determined to create a wider war with Russia.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at April 22, 2025 12:28 PM (tT6L1)

Putin declared an Easter Cease Fire... the Ukes never agreed and kept fighting... so the Russians also kept fighting...

Headlines? Russia breaks Easter CeaseFire.

Posted by: Romeo13 at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (QAkQ3)

41 26 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (t/2Uw)

Hard to say. I still worry that Trump doesn't really "get it" though.

He's focusing on the minor crews running gasoline tax scams, not on the heads of the criminal families engaged in murder, mayhem, extortion rackets, and lots and lots of thievery and corruption.

Yes, USAID is an abomination and has been since the 1960's. But it's small potatoes.

This feels like a minor shot across the bow, when what is really necessary is a nuclear bomb dropped from space.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (uCjyK)

42 14 To be clear, I don't think it's any kind of improvement to have USAID shuffled over to State.

You know they'll be just as corrupt and horrible as the CIA. And State already has more than enough of it's own slush funds, which are being used in the same way USAID is.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes
=======
They pretended to run AID anyway as it was technically part of the State Department. All Trump and Rubio are removing is the fact that AID had its own leadership and grant abilities.

In fact, it was an annex to the CIA for projecting 'soft and limp' power.

AID was not created by authorizing legislation but rather a EO from JFK who was pissed off at how slow and bad the State Dept was at administering his new programs like his Latin American initiative.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (ctrM5)

43 35 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?

It's not because Trump isn't trying.. Thank the "judges"

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (VE6XX)

44 The Biden’s Easter decorations were just garish.

They had a signature look in their Xmas and Easter decorations, and Dr. Jill's dresses: garish.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (s8j++)

45 Is there a government in, say, Somalia, to represent the US to? Why have an embassy in Zimbabwe or South Africa?
Posted by: Rob Crawford at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (6/frM)

I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (l3YAf)

46 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (t/2Uw)
---
It was always going to work out this way. President Trump was able to get in an initial surge at the start of his second term, but now the anti-Trump forces are regrouping and pushing back *hard.*

It's now a case of an unstoppable force (Trump) colliding with an immovable object (the Deep State).

One of these will have to give eventually.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (7fElN)

47 22 "The NGO is in sight". "What did he say?" "The NGO is in sight". "What?" "The Sheriff is a NGO". Why I think of that is anybody's guess. Authentic frontier gibberish.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (gm9Sb)

48 Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?!

Posted by: Ace at 12:22 PM

Well, since you asked...

My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

49 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?
====

Well, we ain’t just over here whistlin’ “Dixie,” you know….
Posted by: Your Rulers in Black Robes at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (+K1xO)

No, you've been singing it out loud, and probably out of tune.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (VNX3d)

50 Take each person's name associated with that office off the payroll immediately. No transferring to another department or re-titling.
Out the door with them.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 12:33 PM (CL4hu)

51 Massive 'Mystery Explosions' Rock Ammo Depot Outside Moscow, Resulting In Mushroom Cloud

State of emergency and large-scale evacuation declared
Posted by: SMOD at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (RHGPo)

At least the Russians are smart enough to put their ammo depots "outside" cities.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:33 PM (8zz6B)

52 We all knew the real battle was with judges, and Trump is prepping the battlefield as we speak.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM

I think things will come to a head within the next month. The Supremes have been doing their normal 'let things play out' in the lower court to develop a record but that changed Sunday when they issued an instant and unbriefed stay against Trump. Now they have the turd on their desk.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:33 PM (jc0TO)

53 It's not because Trump isn't trying.. Thank the "judges"
Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (VE6XX)

Thank the GOPe Congress. They’re the ones who have decided to let the judges get away with this. They could have passed Trump’s agenda as legislation, but instead made him push a bunch of EOs that will be tied up in the courts for years.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:34 PM (l3YAf)

54 A new Bureau of Emerging Threats will be created to focus on cyber defense and global digital threats.

Interesting

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:34 PM (jmrxB)

55 Pete Hegseth launched a massive amphibious assault on a number of small, unimportant, bureaucratic positions within State causing massive upheaval and chaos for the Administration. That's why Trump is going to fire him.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:34 PM (ExV1e)

56 Huh? Why are schemes for Africa untouchable?
Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (mlg/3)

Because we spend, likely, well north of a trillion dollars between the pentagon and all of our intel agencies and foreign policy agencies / departments / etc.

They can't just sit around and do nothing. Africa is a great place for revolutions and coups. Unstable governments, uneducated populations, and no one really cares what happens in Africa.

There are lottts of mouths to feed in the Deep State Industrial Complex who need a constant state of war and emergency powers so that they can skim their money off the top and support their lifestyles.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:34 PM (uCjyK)

57 I think things will come to a head within the next month. The Supremes have been doing their normal 'let things play out' in the lower court to develop a record but that changed Sunday when they issued an instant and unbriefed stay against Trump. Now they have the turd on their desk.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:33 PM (jc0TO)
---
SCOTUS had every opportunity to nip this in the bud.

Well, now they have to deal with the mess THEY deliberately created.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 22, 2025 12:35 PM (7fElN)

58 The office managers', security, copier, janitorial, and leasing unions OBJECT!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 22, 2025 12:35 PM (RIvkX)

59 The first rumors about this I heard from the leftwing media, claiming that Trump planned to close many of the embassies in Africa. Once again, they just lied to farm outrage clicks.

well, in their defense, they were just believing leaks from pete hegseth's signal conversations with friend and family.

Posted by: anachronda at April 22, 2025 12:35 PM (v3pYe)

60 The Decimation, it is glorious.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 22, 2025 12:35 PM (HTwBY)

61 I'm pulling for Fridolin Ambongo Besungu to be the next Pope.

He looks like Ida Amin's surly cousin, and would be perfect to tighten up all of the loose sh*t from the last Pope.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at April 22, 2025 12:36 PM (XV/Pl)

62 Thank the GOPe Congress. They’re the ones who have decided to let the judges get away with this. They could have passed Trump’s agenda as legislation, but instead made him push a bunch of EOs that will be tied up in the courts for years.

I wonder if it isn't a deliberate strategy by Trump. IOW, if there were bills waiting for passage on a particular topic, e.g. deportations, SCOTUS might say "we'll wait until the issue is ripe".

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:36 PM (s8j++)

63 We all knew the real battle was with judges, and Trump is prepping the battlefield as we speak.
Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:30 PM

I think things will come to a head within the next month. The Supremes have been doing their normal 'let things play out' in the lower court to develop a record but that changed Sunday when they issued an instant and unbriefed stay against Trump. Now they have the turd on their desk.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:33 PM (jc0TO)

I wonder if the DoJ play soon is that the Federal cases are going to be listed as Constitutional issues, and can only be heard by the Supreme Court. Any action by a lesser court is ignored, as they do not have standing.

If Roberts doesn't like the workload, then he'll have to overturn the Marbury vs. Madison ruling, and give up the work - and the power and prestige he's after.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at April 22, 2025 12:36 PM (VNX3d)

64 SCOTUS now has the hind end of a jackass on their dockets.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 22, 2025 12:36 PM (HTwBY)

65 12 The Africans would probably be relieved.
Posted by: steevy at April 22, 2025 12:27 PM (YwEeS)

-------

Yes, they are sick of our sexual and trans bullshit being pushed and many African countries are sick of Bill Fucking Gates and his "vaccines."

Posted by: Seems Legit at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (PMtkd)

66 35 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?

Not really. Implementation is always harder than proposing a plan. Sort of like D Day then required a long wearying fight in the bocage until Patton could make his breakout.

A lot of going on here and there in the background including getting the first budget framework passed since Obammy's time. That is critical because it allows rescission bills to happen and kills the CR ploy of just pilling up on previous spending levels. Also critical to get the tax cuts extended as they will expire at the end of the year resulting in a major tax increase and most probably a recession because of that in 2026.

Even FDR's pace slowed down after the first 100 days in office.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (ctrM5)

67 >>>Putin declared an Easter Cease Fire... the Ukes never agreed and kept fighting... so the Russians also kept fighting...

Headlines? Russia breaks Easter CeaseFire.
Posted by: Romeo13
---

The longer dumbass keeps fighting the more Putin is going to take in settlement.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (CL4hu)

68 Does it feel like things are slowing down or is it just me? Feels like the administration is getting bogged down in petty issues and the big items are on hold?

The slowdown in reform actually has been taking place the past 37 yrs. Since the reign of NWO O.G. Poppy Bush.
Trump’s admin is moving at lightning speed in comparison to the past 4 decades of Uniparty rule.
Yes, even taking into consideration blackrobe interference and obstruction.

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (q6XPQ)

69 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

is it the sole of your foot? i absolutely hate that. and have no idea WHY it does that, but it's the ONE itch that scratching never helps...

Posted by: Sturmtoddler at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (nXhwP)

70 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

Maybe ice will help ?

Posted by: Hatari somewhere on Ventura Highway at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (NtVYv)

71 A good start. 600 to go.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (/Ghsb)

72 They pretended to run AID anyway as it was technically part of the State Department. All Trump and Rubio are removing is the fact that AID had its own leadership and grant abilities.

In fact, it was an annex to the CIA for projecting 'soft and limp' power.

AID was not created by authorizing legislation but rather a EO from JFK who was pissed off at how slow and bad the State Dept was at administering his new programs like his Latin American initiative.
Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (ctrM5)

Congress did end up formalizing it, and if I understand their structure correctly, they were not formally under State. Kind of just a floating disembodied slush fund that was sometimes associated with State when it was politically necessary, but truly under the CIA's control, which was the worst kept secret in the world.

There were plenty of people in State complaining about USAID and the CIA all the way back in the Vietnam War era, and how USAID was working at times, directly against what State was trying to do. So clearly State did not have control over anything USAID was getting involved in.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (uCjyK)

73 They should close most of the embassies the US maintains. Why do we need embassies in Laos, Burma, Outer Mongolia, Surinam, Lesotho, Mozambique, Niger, and a host of other third world hell holes that we have small if any commercial relations with, no military ties and exist only to soak up American taxpayer funds and provide posts for useless foreign service officers.

Posted by: TJ Jackson at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (bXvrr)

74 Slap a hot iron on your foot. You will forget the itch then.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (HTwBY)

75 close 132 offices in Washington, D.C.

I though with that many they meant worldwide. Just in DC? Ridiculous it ever got to that point.

Posted by: brak at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (jGJov)

76 African minerals rights are worthy of attention and certainly require embassy-level attention. Congo (or one of the Congos) is at the top of the list.

Posted by: mrp at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (rj6Yv)

77 Foggy bottom is now prolapsed bottom.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (/U5Yz)

78 And yet we live!

Posted by: US State Dept Bureau of Silly Walks at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (paSBy)

79 Rubio has actually shut down the most corrupt parts of USAID. He had to keep some that were providing "humanitarian" type stuff and I can't remember exactly how many programs he shut down but it was about 80%.
I'll go ask Grok.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (t/2Uw)

80 Hard to say. I still worry that Trump doesn't really "get it" though.

He's focusing on the minor crews running gasoline tax scams, not on the heads of the criminal families engaged in murder, mayhem, extortion rackets, and lots and lots of thievery and corruption.

Yes, USAID is an abomination and has been since the 1960's. But it's small potatoes.

This feels like a minor shot across the bow, when what is really necessary is a nuclear bomb dropped from space.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:31 PM (uCjyK)

A lot of the big stuff has already been kicked off and is currently dealing with 200+ lawsuits being entertained by the black robed traitors who believe themselves to be in charge.

Trade negotiations are ongoing. Audits are underway.

He needs Powell to cut interest rates so he can deal with the debt bomb that Biden left him. He needs Congress to pull their thumbs out and accomplish anything. He needs the courts to get the fuck out of his way.

What is he not doing that concerns you so?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (ExV1e)

81 70 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

I find cortisone cream works good for itches...

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (VE6XX)

82 -------

Yes, they are sick of our sexual and trans bullshit being pushed and many African countries are sick of Bill Fucking Gates and his "vaccines."
Posted by: Seems Legit.
--------

Billy Goat Gates goes back to India they will hang him.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (CL4hu)

83 We are all ms 13 now.

Posted by: Dreamingrobot at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (NeBop)

84 Itchy feet is often a symptom of bubonic plague.

Posted by: WebMD at April 22, 2025 12:40 PM (u73oe)

85 27 Is there a government in, say, Somalia, to represent the US to? Why have an embassy in Zimbabwe or South Africa?

Posted by: Rob Crawford at April 22, 2025 12:29 PM (6/frM)
----
How do you feel about Consulates?

Posted by: Ciampino - docked at April 22, 2025 12:40 PM (sPQoU)

86 At least embassies have legitimate functions.

As an officer in PME, I read various articles on the State Department, and every single one of those articles boiled down to one thing: "The State Department Needs More Money". Without ever explaining why. They were painful to read on that basis alone.

The State Department can stand to be streamlined. If not in the purview of the State Department's functions, it can stand to be shuttered. I'm no isolationist by any means and am troubled about how fashionable such thinking is, but things can and should be run more efficiently, even at State. (And if we can get away with running fewer consulates for lack of foot traffic, why not?)

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:40 PM (vm8sq)

87 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

Hot iron.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at April 22, 2025 12:40 PM (OZyEP)

88 73 They should close most of the embassies the US maintains. Why do we need embassies in Laos, Burma, Outer Mongolia, Surinam, Lesotho, Mozambique, Niger, and a host of other third world hell holes that we have small if any commercial relations with, no military ties and exist only to soak up American taxpayer funds and provide posts for useless foreign service officers.
Posted by: TJ Jackson at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (bXvrr)

The CIA needs to have SOME diplomatic cover jobs for their worldwide operations. I mean, cmon.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:40 PM (uCjyK)

89 I propose we put Moki in charge of downsizing the State Department, with a chainsaw.

Posted by: Anna Puma at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (HTwBY)

90 70 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench)

Barbed wire works.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (/U5Yz)

91 I love that letter from Comer. We need more!

Posted by: LASue at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (lCppi)

92 I agree that any state department office that engaged in human rights violations should be shut down.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (lTGtQ)

93 70 Epsom Salts soak. Helps with itching, edema, funky toe nails, maybe gunshot wounds and other stuff. If that doesn't work try Bag Balm.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (gm9Sb)

94 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

Dancing on the skulls of your enemies will cure it.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (8zz6B)

95 foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease starts that way. Most common in children where it is generally very mild, but if you get it as an adult the itching is brutal.

Posted by: brak at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (jGJov)

96 The magical mystery bomb is waiting to blow you away.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (63Dwl)

97 Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration canceled 83% of USAID programs, amounting to approximately 5,200 out of 6,200 contracts, following a six-week review. The remaining 1,000 or so programs were to be administered by the State Department.

Grok is pretty amazing. Took seconds to get that info.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (t/2Uw)

98 MXMNews's central assumption: we are all idiots. Hence idiotic subheads like "Key details" and "Diving deeper". I immediately stop reading once I see them.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (vm8sq)

99 Not so fast there buck-o. I decide what closes and what opens.

Kamala Mala Wala - distinguished Hawaiian Judge

Posted by: Going deep. Out. at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (6t8M3)

100 mein Hof ist voller Emporung, Ace.

Wait, I'm doing this wrong.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (D7oie)

101 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (l3YAf)
====

There are over 200 million English-speaking democracy-minded people in Nigeria. Botswana is English-speaking and a capitalist miracle.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM (RIvkX)

102 I wonder if the DoJ play soon is that the Federal cases are going to be listed as Constitutional issues, and can only be heard by the Supreme Court. Any action by a lesser court is ignored, as they do not have standing.

If Roberts doesn't like the workload, then he'll have to overturn the Marbury vs. Madison ruling, and give up the work - and the power and prestige he's after.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf
======
Judiciary does not work that way. But, the DOJ could, if it wished, push for all kinds of emergency appeals to disrupt the Scotus summer vacay requiring them to misrule hastily.

The easiest way to kill these stupid TROs and injunctions is simply require three judge panels from across the US and automatic (non discretionary) appeals to the US Scotus. That system used to be in place from the 1890's until 1976 or so by law. Cut out appellate courts entirely as their whole panel and en banc schtick does not do well with issues of constitutional matters. Lefties are trying to roll back any conservative panel ruling in lefty circuits like the 1st, 9th, or even the 4th by resorting and abusing en banc proceedings.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (ctrM5)

103 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (l3YAf)

In an age of instant global communications, I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere. Consulates, as needed, but embassies are just payoffs to political contributors.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (ExV1e)

104 Dancing on the skulls of your enemies will cure it.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM

Drinking from them works, too.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (kgE5c)

105 I support the idea of at least a very small offices in every country, maybe with just a chargé d'affaires and some Marines with no ambassador.

US citizens often need embassy support, be they tourists or businessmen.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (jc0TO)

106 Ask Grok what makes black people awesome and it will tell you.

Immediately after ask Grok what makes white people awesome and it will scold you.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Are you honest enough to acknowledge Darwin disproved evolution? at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (ldflT)

107
Rubio dismissed reports from The New York Times suggesting Africa-focused programs would be targeted as "fake news

Huh? Why are schemes for Africa untouchable?
Posted by: weft cut-loop

===============

As I read that, the NY Times was trying to say Trump Hates Black People and why are you specifically determined to genocide them, and Rubio said We're not TARGETING any specific people, you insinuating racist fucks.

And good morning!

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (1LbhO)

108 If Trump can't rid us of USAID he's not going to be able to do anything else. USAID is a JFK EO.

There's been a pattern of judicial defense of supporting previous President's EO. So Trump is supposed to be stuck with any he tries to reverse.
Supreme Court studiously avoids ruling on the issue.

That's a big problem.

Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (ereJz)

109 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

Removal of the foot should stop the itching

Posted by: Doof at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (vf0Y9)

110 Rubio appears to be on board with the plan.

I don't know WTF that means but I don't think he's been like other weak assed (actual stretched out asses) republicans.

Posted by: Seems Legit at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (PMtkd)

111 97 Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration canceled 83% of USAID programs, amounting to approximately 5,200 out of 6,200 contracts, following a six-week review. The remaining 1,000 or so programs were to be administered by the State Department.

Grok is pretty amazing. Took seconds to get that info.
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice)
=======
AI is likely to change how Congress works as security by obscurity no longer gives Congress the ability to legislate in the dark. Same for executive actions. My guess is they will try to hide legislation like the Brits do with their secret sessions and Official Secrets Act.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (ctrM5)

112 hi everyone! hi ace!

all good here!

- skin issues - almost anything can be helped by Magic Molecule. it's freaking amazing. you can buy it at Ulta now instead of ordering it. Made in America!

Posted by: Black Orchid at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (Pv3Rg)

113 mein Hof ist voller Emporung, Ace.

Huh, I was expecting "Mein luftkissenfahrzeug ist voller aale.".

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (s8j++)

114 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director

To keep track of the CCP invasion. If not check it.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (mlg/3)

115 They should close most of the embassies the US maintains. [ . . . ]
Posted by: TJ Jackson at April 22, 2025 12:38 PM (bXvrr)

I remember back in the day that the Paraguayan embassy in Bogotá Colombia was a second floor walk up. That impressed me.

However, if we shut all the embassies in small countries, how will we station CIA personnel?

Posted by: Kindltot at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (D7oie)

116 69 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

I'd get it checked out. It could be an early indicator of a lot of things, some more benign than others.

Posted by: Nova Local at April 22, 2025 12:44 PM (tOcjL)

117 In an age of instant global communications, I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere. Consulates, as needed, but embassies are just payoffs to political contributors.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (ExV1e)
__________________________

Well, if I'm an American traveling abroad, and some corrupt law enforcement officer is E. Bumfuck decides to stick it to the Westerner. I'd like to know there are embassy officials down the street who can show up and protect my important posterior.

Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (iPlTF)

118 if we shut all the embassies in small countries, how will we station CIA personnel?

AirBnB

Posted by: brak at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (jGJov)

119 What is he not doing that concerns you so?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (ExV1e)

He doesn't seem to realize that he is dealing with a government that is, for all intents and purposes, a gigantic criminal conspiracy hellbent on killing the goose that lays the golden egg while they pilfer as much money and blood from the country as they can on their way out.

Put another way: our government was paying Mexican drug cartels and American lawyers to smuggle millions and millions of Central Americans in to the US for the past, at least, decade, if not longer.

And yet not a single person is in prison for human smuggling, financing terrorism, or financially supporting drug cartels.

And that is some of the less offensive things that are going on in our government.

And if he truly thinks shuffling some people around and changing the names of some groups is going to change anything, he's out of his depth. If he knows it will do nothing, then why are we even pretending?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (uCjyK)

120 Im quite curious as to how much the Federal Gov. is paying the Orwell family, for the rights to these unit names...

Posted by: Cu'chullainn at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (MH24+)

121 Javier Milei: "You can’t give sh*t leftards a single inch”.

I love this guy.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (t/2Uw)

122 69 My foot itches

It could be poison ivy or lupus.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (/U5Yz)

123 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem
=========
That can be a symptom of nerve pain for some reason as a common symptom is itching that topicals cannot fix.

When nerves are irritated by whatever, shingles, peripheral neuropathy, etc, then you can get an itch that cortisone, etc. do little to fix. Go see a doc asap.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:46 PM (ctrM5)

124 Javier Milei: "You can’t give sh*t leftards a single inch”.

I love this guy.
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (t/2Uw)
---
He gets it.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 22, 2025 12:46 PM (7fElN)

125 yeah, the continued existence of Botswana is a standing miracle.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 22, 2025 12:46 PM (/Ghsb)

126 113 mein Hof ist voller Emporung, Ace.

Huh, I was expecting "Mein luftkissenfahrzeug ist voller aale.".

no one expects their luftkissenfahrzeug to be voller aale!

Posted by: the spanish inquisition at April 22, 2025 12:46 PM (v3pYe)

127 104 Dancing on the skulls of your enemies will cure it.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:41 PM

Drinking from them works, too.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (kgE5c)

Please ensure the skulls of your enemies are thoroughly sanitized before using them as beersteins. You really do not want to be afflicted with whatever brain disease afflicted them.

Posted by: tankdemon at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (mlmdD)

128 it the sole of your foot? i absolutely hate that. and have no idea WHY it does that, but it's the ONE itch that scratching never helps...
Posted by: Sturmtoddler at April 22, 2025 12:37 PM (nXhwP)

No it's on the top of my foot over the arch. Last night I was sitting there swinging my foot. The cat decided that this was a "problem ". She grabbed at my foot, caught it, and bit it before I could shift. So I now have scratches and bite marks on my foot. The itchiness is right next to these spots but not the actual spots themselves.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (2J/Lj)

129 The White House website posted this short video about yesterday’s holiday activities on the South Lawn. So cute, there’s even an astronaut!

https://tinyurl.com/32x2bv8w

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (q6XPQ)

130 Javier Milei: "You can’t give sh*t leftards a single inch”.

I love this guy.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice)

I like him, but I'll stick with Meloni, thanks very much.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (s8j++)

131 129 The White House website posted this short video about yesterday’s holiday activities on the South Lawn. So cute, there’s even an astronaut!

https://tinyurl.com/32x2bv8w
Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (q6XPQ)

Katy Perry ?

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (VE6XX)

132 What is he not doing that concerns you so?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:39 PM (ExV1e)

Fire more Federal employees.

It may take an act of Congress to formally close the Dept of Education or the Dept of Energy, but Trump is the boss and can just fire every worker, making them effectively closed.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (l3YAf)

133 122 69 My foot itches

It could be poison ivy or lupus.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (/U5Yz)

It's never lupus.

Posted by: House, M.D. at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (mlmdD)

134 Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has long advocated for restructuring the agency, called the current State Department "bloated, bureaucratic, and unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission in this new era of great power competition." In a statement, Rubio said the changes will "empower the Department from the ground up" and ensure that U.S. diplomacy serves American interests first.

I'm sorry, Marco, but a 17% cut isn't going to end the bloat or rot at State.

40% sounds better.
Close some unneeded consulates around the world and cut 30% of the superfluous employees in Foggy Bottom and you might get somewhere.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (6ydKt)

135 The White House website posted this short video about yesterday’s holiday activities on the South Lawn. So cute, there’s even an astronaut!

https://tinyurl.com/32x2bv8w
Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (q6XPQ)

Meanwhile, Joe Biden spent Easter Sunday hiding his own Easter eggs.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (8zz6B)

136 Madame Mayhem, rub apple cider vinegar on your foot and then use an ice pack.

Posted by: Ben Had at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (yp8Vj)

137 109 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (2J/Lj)

Removal of the foot should stop the itching

sure. that always works.

Posted by: phantom pain at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (v3pYe)

138 117 In an age of instant global communications, I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere. Consulates, as needed, but embassies are just payoffs to political contributors.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (ExV1e)

Name a country that has stopped using embassies and just decided that in an age of instant global communications that embassies are obsolete.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (vm8sq)

139 Meanwhile, Joe Biden spent Easter Sunday hiding his own Easter eggs.

Where did he put th...never mind.

Posted by: Archimedes at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (s8j++)

140 It was always going to work out this way. President Trump was able to get in an initial surge at the start of his second term, but now the anti-Trump forces are regrouping and pushing back *hard.*

It's now a case of an unstoppable force (Trump) colliding with an immovable object (the Deep State).

One of these will have to give eventually.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 22, 2025 12:32 PM (7fElN)

Agreed. And I think it's good that the left is being distracted by the idiot bad guy in El Salvador.

Posted by: LASue at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (lCppi)

141 AOSHQ: like WebMD, but with fewer Cancer diagnoses and more hot iron.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (bss/y)

142 Hopefully a precursor to a large scale managed depopulation of Africa.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (qwx/I)

143
Fire more Federal employees.

It may take an act of Congress to formally close the Dept of Education or the Dept of Energy, but Trump is the boss and can just fire every worker, making them effectively closed.

go on...

Posted by: Hawaiian Judges 1,2,3,4 and 6 at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (MH24+)

144 When is Trump's 100 day mark?

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (jc0TO)

145 Good.
Moar.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (xcxpd)

146 Rubio appears to be on board with the plan.

I don't know WTF that means but I don't think he's been like other weak assed (actual stretched out asses) republicans.
Posted by: Seems Legit at April 22, 2025 12:43 PM (PMtkd)

Rubio has impressed me, I thought he was sort of a lightweight, and he seems to be leg-breaker at heart.

Posted by: Kindltot at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (D7oie)

147 108 There's been a pattern of judicial defense of supporting previous President's EO. So Trump is supposed to be stuck with any he tries to reverse.

how many trump eos was biden stuck with?

Posted by: anachronda at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (v3pYe)

148 144 When is Trump's 100 day mark?
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (jc0TO)

I think he's on day 92 ?

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (VE6XX)

149 Meanwhile, Joe Biden spent Easter Sunday hiding his own Easter eggs.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at April 22, 2025 12:48 PM (8zz6B)

That photoshop on the steps was atrocious. The only ones who think it’s real are his braindead cult followers.

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (q6XPQ)

150 Well, if I'm an American traveling abroad, and some corrupt law enforcement officer is E. Bumfuck decides to stick it to the Westerner. I'd like to know there are embassy officials down the street who can show up and protect my important posterior.
Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (iPlTF)

Yeah, I should pay more in taxes so you can feel safe taking a jaunt through a corrupt country.

Maybe don’t do that?

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (l3YAf)

151
In an age of instant global communications, I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere. Consulates, as needed, but embassies are just payoffs to political contributors.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:42 PM (ExV1e)

And interestingly, you have no problem with consulates (which are extensions of embassies) but can't understand why we have embassies.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (vm8sq)

152 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem

Have you been out in the garden?
It could be planter fasciitis.

Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (w9Wax)

153 Itchy feet is often a symptom of bubonic plague.
Posted by: WebMD
-------------

Brown Recluse spider bite. I saw it happen

Posted by: Bob from NSA at April 22, 2025 12:52 PM (5hfjS)

154 And if he truly thinks shuffling some people around and changing the names of some groups is going to change anything, he's out of his depth. If he knows it will do nothing, then why are we even pretending?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes
------
Don't be a Veruca Salt. If the US fiscally collapses, then fighting cartels won't matter. Essentially, you want something like a Deep Thrust rather than a broad tactic.

Trump is trying to juggle a bunch of issues including rebasing the economy via tariffs, removing illegals (and in the quiet, a lot of things are happening there like the Real ID enforcement), and fixing the budget. Then you have Iran mess, Israel v. Ham Ass and He's Blown Up, and China threatening its neighbors.

Simply accept that on illegals formally being deported, it will involve a lot of banging about in the courts, Congress, and on the front lines. It was always going to be that way. But, the Southern border no longer has waves of illegals, it is killing the cartel's money in human trafficking, and makes drug shipments harder and harder to pull off without the camouflage of human waves over the border. And illegals are beginning to self deport by pressure.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (ctrM5)

155 No it's on the top of my foot over the arch. Last night I was sitting there swinging my foot. The cat decided that this was a "problem ". She grabbed at my foot, caught it, and bit it before I could shift. So I now have scratches and bite marks on my foot. The itchiness is right next to these spots but not the actual spots themselves.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 12:47 PM (2J/Lj)

Cat scratch fever

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (VE6XX)

156 America’s jurisdiction ends at our borders. You wanna travel overseas? Great, but you do so at your own risk. If you get nabbed as a spy in Russia or kidnapped by Chinese organ thieves, that’s a you problem. I don’t want FedGov wasting money negotiating your return.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (l3YAf)

157 WooHoo. I was disappointed by the lack of "you're fired" by Trump in his first term. This time instead of trying to keep the GOPe pukes happy, Trump has selected a team that is actually cutting some of the bloated bureacracy and they are making some progress.

Posted by: PaleRider at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (CKOCg)

158 Have you been out in the garden?
It could be planter fasciitis.
Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks
=====
Bad bad pun.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:54 PM (ctrM5)

159 I like him, but I'll stick with Meloni, thanks very much.

Posted by: Archimedes
How does the saying go? Embrace the power of And.
In Milei, Bukele, Meloni, Orban. Think we can add Modi? A coalition of the .....
any ideas for a title?

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:54 PM (t/2Uw)

160
Yeah, I should pay more in taxes so you can feel safe taking a jaunt through a corrupt country.

Maybe don’t do that?
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (l3YAf)

You simply want an America that makes Hoxha's Albania look like a model of openness.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (vm8sq)

161 How does the saying go? Embrace the power of And.
In Milei, Bukele, Meloni, Orban. Think we can add Modi? A coalition of the .....
any ideas for a title?
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:54 PM (t/2Uw)

Not Retarded.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (bss/y)

162 Last night I was sitting there swinging my foot. The cat decided that this was a "problem ". She grabbed at my foot, caught it, and bit it before I could shift. So I now have scratches and bite marks on my foot. The itchiness is right next to these spots but not the actual spots themselves.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem

Trying to remember if rabies starts with itching.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (lTGtQ)

163 154 Don't be a Veruca Salt. If the US fiscally collapses, then fighting cartels won't matter. Essentially, you want something like a Deep Thrust rather than a broad tactic.

indeed.

Posted by: paolo at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (v3pYe)

164 Cat scratch fever
Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (VE6XX)

+1

Posted by: Ted Nugent at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (OZyEP)

165 Can we plow salt into the earth where it once stood so it shalt not grow again?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (wBaIH)

166 I complained loudly about an itching arm. Then, guess what happened?

Posted by: Michelle Fields at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (G5+As)

167 Rubio has impressed me, I thought he was sort of a lightweight, and he seems to be leg-breaker at heart.
Posted by: Kindltot
========
Some people are better administrators than legislators (or vice versa). Rubio may be such a critter. Jeff Session was the opposite, a promising past that meant a miserable failure heading the DoJ.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (ctrM5)

168 Apparently the State Department's budget is $64B, or about $190 per capita. I'll have to think about whether I am getting my money's worth.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (jc0TO)

169 90 70 My foot itches. I scratch and scratch but it keeps itching. I put anti itch cream on it and it still itches. That spot is getting painful and raw but still itchy. This situation is getting unpleasant.

How are you?
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench)

Barbed wire works.
-------------
Slap hot iron to it.

Posted by: Pudinhead at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (pZ64F)

170 Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (ctrM5)

But again, our taxpayer dollars was being used by our government to not only blatantly violate US law, but to hide the fact that our politicians were saying one thing while doing the opposite.

Forget the illegal immigrants aspect of it.

In any sane world, stealing money from the treasury and doing the opposite of what elected officials claim they're doing, while funding people that would normally be described as our enemies, is treason, no?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (uCjyK)

171 168 Apparently the State Department's budget is $64B, or about $190 per capita. I'll have to think about whether I am getting my money's worth.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (jc0TO)

Buy a decent pair of sunglasses for that.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (bss/y)

172 Close the embassies too.

It's very clear the rest of the world hates us, even our supposed allies, all because we tried to charge some tariffs (just like they do).

Let's start turning inward, pull our troops home, and stop spending trillions being "leader of the free world"

Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (4pwAx)

173 Yeah, I should pay more in taxes so you can feel safe taking a jaunt through a corrupt country.

Maybe don’t do that?
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (l3YAf)
________________________

I had to meet a client in Saudi Arabia (which is about as corrupt as you can get without getting that actual label), I'm male, so I didn't have to worry about "dress codes", but there are certain very innocuous things that females can't do in that country without getting locked up. Same with Dubai, UAE etc. Other cultures can really suck, and get you in a lot of trouble. And, it's all based on the other country's perception of the offense.

Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (iPlTF)

174 Barbed wire works.
-------------
Slap hot iron to it.
Posted by: Pudinhead at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (pZ64F)
---
I read that as barbed wire SOCKS...which is pretty hardcore...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (7fElN)

175 wow, talk about a snazzy uniform, how 'bout those Swiss Guards?

Excellent halberds, too!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (/Ghsb)

176 156 America’s jurisdiction ends at our borders. You wanna travel overseas? Great, but you do so at your own risk. If you get nabbed as a spy in Russia or kidnapped by Chinese organ thieves, that’s a you problem. I don’t want FedGov wasting money negotiating your return.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 12:53 PM (l3YAf)

Ever read the fine print in an icky passport or visited the icky State Department's icky travel advisories page? If not, you should.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:58 PM (vm8sq)

177 144 When is Trump's 100 day mark?
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (jc0TO
----------

One more week?

Posted by: WisRich at April 22, 2025 12:58 PM (G0vdT)

178 163 154 Don't be a Veruca Salt. If the US fiscally collapses, then fighting cartels won't matter. Essentially, you want something like a Deep Thrust rather than a broad tactic.

indeed.
Posted by: paolo

Sorry to disappoint you paolo but was using the Allied strategy after DDay but gray box limits precluded explaining. Some favored a deep thrust on a very limited front to Berlin. Others favored the broad front strategy as the least risky to German counterattacks which Ike ended up deciding to do.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:58 PM (ctrM5)

179 I complained loudly about an itching arm. Then, guess what happened?

OMG...same ! except it was my upper back and could not reach it for anything.

Posted by: Rachel 'St.Pancake' Corrie at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (MH24+)

180 How does the saying go? Embrace the power of And.
In Milei, Bukele, Meloni, Orban. Think we can add Modi? A coalition of the .....
any ideas for a title?
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:54 PM (t/2Uw)

Coalition of the Motivated.

India put tariffs on Chinese steel yesterday

Posted by: Kindltot at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (D7oie)

181 He doesn't seem to realize that he is dealing with a government that is, for all intents and purposes, a gigantic criminal conspiracy hellbent on killing the goose that lays the golden egg while they pilfer as much money and blood from the country as they can on their way out.

Trump? Trump doesn't realize that? Sure, Jan.

And yet not a single person is in prison for human smuggling, financing terrorism, or financially supporting drug cartels.

Trump cannot just imprison people. Hell, he can't even deport known illegals who are members of violent gangs. If he popped someone in the hoosegow, they'd be out of jail and the charged dismissed within 12 hours.

And if he truly thinks shuffling some people around and changing the names of some groups is going to change anything, he's out of his depth. If he knows it will do nothing, then why are we even pretending?

He's fired tens of thousands, he's shuttered entire agencies, he's pared back that which he cannot remove. But, sure, he's out of his depth.

Have you considered volunteering for a senior position in the Administration?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (ExV1e)

182 I agree with Ben Had. try icing it. i have dry skin this time of year and I find scratching just makes it worse. try icing it and then wrapping it so you can't scratch it.

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (t/2Uw)

183 "bureau of emerging threats" could they at least try not to make them sound so orwellian?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (2VST1)

184 Agree with Donna. That might well be cat scratch fever Mayhem. You should probably go to your doc and get some antibiotics. If there is an infection it will take that much longer to clear it up if you wait.

Posted by: PaleRider at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (CKOCg)

185 This is a good start. Cut it in half, reduce the number of FSOs back to the 2500 it was years ago (30) when we weren't doing as much stupid, and frankly, close some consulates and embassies. If you have a three person embassy, there isn't enough work/reason to justify the cost. And in the case of Equatorial Guinea in 1990, the staff get involved in a love triangle and kill each other and Main State doesn't hear about it for six weeks when the Africa desk decides to check on why they haven't sent a cable in that long.

Posted by: Moki at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (wLjpr)

186 I'd love to know why the media and Dems are gunning for Hegseth so hard right now.

Trying to pick off Trump's team one-by-one and Pete's the easiest target?

He's really shaking things up at the Pentagon and the leftists there are crying to the press and going after the boss before he deletes the woke?

They are all sharks and simply smell blood in the water?

They've certainly got a new fixation.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (6ydKt)

187

At yesterday’s event, Trump talks about honoring Jesus Christ and bringing religion back to America:

https://tinyurl.com/e7e6yt3k

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (q6XPQ)

188 You simply want an America that makes Hoxha's Albania look like a model of openness.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (vm8sq)

I built 750,000 Bunker's with my nation's treasure. What do you American's have to show for your trillions wasted?

Posted by: Enver Hoxha at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (G5+As)

189 You simply want an America that makes Hoxha's Albania look like a model of openness.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (vm8sq)

Yeah, I think most of us do.

Globalism has enriched the rest of the world at the expense of the American middle class's money and blood.

Then, our elites (who were skimming off the top this entire time), decided to replace the native born population with a new, more compliant, population. Which, of course, we also paid for. Also, let's not forget, those same low IQ nepo babies were using the US government to overthrow governments all over the world and fuck over all kinds of people. Those people, of course, harbor great resentment for that. And all of that was done in secret at home, but in our name abroad.

Why would we trust those same people with anything, much less unaccountable government postings half a world away where they're likely engaged in all kinds of shenanigans?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (uCjyK)

190 Ever read the fine print in an icky passport or visited the icky State Department's icky travel advisories page? If not, you should.
---------------
The worst shitter I was ever in was in rural Azerbaijan. There was shit splatter 4 and 5 feet up the walls. At least they dig a shithole. Progressive.

Posted by: Pudinhead at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (pZ64F)

191 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (Zz0t1)

192 Massive 'Mystery Explosions' Rock Ammo Depot Outside Moscow, Resulting In Mushroom Cloud

State of emergency and large-scale evacuation declared
Posted by: SMOD
......

Vodka factory?

Posted by: wth at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (v0R5T)

193 "One more week?
Posted by: WisRich "

So we won't have Rachel Maddow to kick around anymore?

Posted by: eleven at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (0HaGk)

194 You simply want an America that makes Hoxha's Albania look like a model of openness.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:55 PM (vm8sq)

Sure. Why is it my problem if someone gets kidnapped overseas? We need embassies all over the world staffed with State Dept deadwood in case somebody gets arrested in Lesotho? Who cares?

If your family/estate want you back, they can pay the ransom. Why should taxpayers be on the hook?

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (l3YAf)

195 Any time you get a cat bite or scratch, you should immediately flush it with rubbing alcohol. I'd do that, and if it continues to itch, you could need antibiotics.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (cvWHI)

196 Trump: Make America Great Again

Democrats: Make America MS-13's Bitch

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (Zz0t1)

197 Did they cut the Office of Giving the Stink Eye?

Posted by: eleven at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (0HaGk)

198 9 We need a reorganization so that the State Department will represent the United States.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:26 PM (jc0TO)

This. A million times this. When our A-100 class was asked who we represented, I was surprised at how many people answered the host country. They were shocked it was the American taxpayer/US interests.

Posted by: Moki at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (wLjpr)

199 114 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director
-----------

Boots on the ground is good. Our embassies should be diplomatic boots on the ground interacting with the people and listening. Military S series in suits.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (CL4hu)

200 Chilblains, also known as pernio, are small, itchy, swollen patches of skin that occur after exposure to cold and damp conditions.

Posted by: 13times at April 22, 2025 01:01 PM (uNtcY)

201 REEEE

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (hNXse)

202 Is Mitch McConnell dead yet?

Posted by: Seems Legit at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (PMtkd)

203 182 I agree with Ben Had. try icing it. i have dry skin this time of year and I find scratching just makes it worse. try icing it and then wrapping it so you can't scratch it.
-----------
It could be an Oak Mite bite or a tumor.

Posted by: Pudinhead at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (pZ64F)

204 172 Close the embassies too.

It's very clear the rest of the world hates us, even our supposed allies, all because we tried to charge some tariffs (just like they do).

Let's start turning inward, pull our troops home, and stop spending trillions being "leader of the free world"
Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 12:57 PM (4pwAx)

And have all our schools teach Mandarin because Leupold wants an America that is as weak and whiny as possible.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (vm8sq)

205 166 Posted by: Michelle Fields at April 22, 2025 12:56 PM (G5+As)
====

9 years and counting. Still funny.

Posted by: J. Frank Parnell at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (u9bGn)

206 Name a country that has stopped using embassies and just decided that in an age of instant global communications that embassies are obsolete.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:49 PM (vm8sq)

The fact that everyone else likes to sent their "elites" on tax funded vacations, destroying out precious planet with their emissions as they travel back/forth does not mean that we have to continue. The thing about leading is that you need to go first.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (ExV1e)

207 Have you considered volunteering for a senior position in the Administration?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (ExV1e)

Sure, Trump can feel free to give me a call. I'd be glad to advise him.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (uCjyK)

208 In an ideal world, an Embassy can find out how officials make decisions, how they think, what are the capability of that nations organizations, and what inhabitants are doing.

Most of that is remotely collected by technical means these days. What leaders are thinking can be a role.

The US State Department, from 1919 on, has mostly botched any meaningful support for the actual US of A. A great example is Vichy France from a State Department appreciation and the divergence with reality. It mattered inn WWII, and people died because State got it wrong.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:03 PM (u82oZ)

209

Posted by: Mitch McConnell explains at April 22, 2025 01:03 PM (jc0TO)

210
In Milei, Bukele, Meloni, Orban. Think we can add Modi? A coalition of the .....
any ideas for a title?
Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice)

Miklos says Orban is a bad dude. Bad bad. Not good bad.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 22, 2025 01:03 PM (63Dwl)

211 "Is Mitch McConnell dead yet?
Posted by: Seems Legit"

It's kinda hard to tell.

Posted by: eleven at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (0HaGk)

212 Rubio has impressed me, I thought he was sort of a lightweight, and he seems to be leg-breaker at heart.
Posted by: Kindltot at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (D7oie)

Don't start humping trash cans just yet. Nikki Haley was a good Ambassador to the UN.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (ExV1e)

213 "14 To be clear, I don't think it's any kind of improvement to have USAID shuffled over to State."

LOL. Yeah, that's what's happening.

Posted by: front toward enemy at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (TIizU)

214 I built 750,000 Bunker's with my nation's treasure. What do you American's have to show for your trillions wasted?
Posted by: Enver Hoxha at April 22, 2025 01:00 PM (G5+As)

A bunch of gay billionaires and hundreds of thousands of hatchet-faced Karen Federal employees.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (l3YAf)

215 And have all our schools teach Mandarin because Leupold wants an America that is as weak and whiny as possible.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:02 PM (vm8sq)

Yes, because if we're not there to use covert ops to overthrow half the governments in Africa in any given decade, then China will, which will be the end of the US as a country.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (uCjyK)

216 199 114 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director

At the exact same time people whine, bitch and scream about how "we lost Africa to China".

I cannot, and will not, understand the allure of whiny isolationism.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (vm8sq)

217 Have you been out in the garden?
It could be planter fasciitis.
Posted by: stu-mick-o-sucks
=====
Bad bad pun.
Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 12:54 PM (ctrM5)

Actually, Hubbymayhem and I were out in the woods last night hunting mushrooms. We had to pick our way thru a ridiculous number of briar patches. I was wearing real shoes with socks. It wasn't warm enough for flip flops. Don't see it being poison ivy. Could be a bug bite I suppose.

The fed ex guy is on my porch right now. He has an ugly long beard and a nose septum piercing.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (2J/Lj)

218 If your foot itches way too much you just need pain applied somewhere else. That always works. The itching is indicative of lack of pain elsewhere.

Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (ereJz)

219 Itchy foot Madame? May I suggest stepping on a Lego?

If that doesn't work, I suggest cortisone cream. You may have to apply a couple of times if you insist on walking before it works its gypsy magic.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (wBaIH)

220 117
Well, if I'm an American traveling abroad, and some corrupt law enforcement officer is E. Bumfuck decides to stick it to the Westerner. I'd like to know there are embassy officials down the street who can show up and protect my important posterior.

Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (iPlTF)
----
Consulate?

Posted by: Ciampino - Embassies give you hell when u r in trouble at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (sPQoU)

221 132 locations is chump change, but at least it's a start.

I remember when Gap closed 350 Gap and Banana Republic locations, Rite Aid closed 700, JC Penney, Sears, Autoparts, Red Lobster, Citgo, Best Buy, Staples, closed hundreds more. The world didn't collapse and I don't recall any lib tears over any of that.

Posted by: LASue at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (lCppi)

222 But again, our taxpayer dollars was being used by our government to not only blatantly violate US law, but to hide the fact that our politicians were saying one thing while doing the opposite.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes
========
And yes it is and Trump is moving toward affecting the grift by widespread cancellations of contracts, shutting down agencies, etc. By doing that, it allows him to use the RIF means to remove them rather than the very slow Civil Service procedures to pick out the bad apples. Reorganization allows massive redundancies which decrease the saboteurs in office.

Part of the issue is that he needs his lower level people in place and he can only go as fast as the Senate approves them (like district attorneys, lower level appointees like the IRS commissioner, and so on. To do somethings, acting status does not cut it for some forms of rulemaking etc.

I am very familiar with the history (legal and otherwise) of the bureaucracy and also that of the presidency and Congress (piled higher and deeper ). Trump is committing an unprecedented assault on the Deep State that no one in since Harding and Coolidge perhaps has done.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (ctrM5)

223 When my foot itches, I scratch it.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (jc0TO)

224 Happy Tuesday Ace!

In 2023, the VA increased staffing at DC headquarters by 25%. All regional state HQ offices staffing increased by 25%. The actual VA hospitals staffing only increased by 10%. This year there will be a RIF of 77K employees which is a good thing but hopefully they will RIF from the higher levels where you will find all of the bloated, redundant, highest paid positions.

Posted by: Cheri at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (oiNtH)

225 I too am impressed with Rubio, I was very prepared for him to be a hapless light weight, an easily swayed fool. But it seems to me that he's a decent sort with the right instincts who was very misled by people in the past when running for office. Or, he's a weak man being led by other stronger men to our benefit.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (2VST1)

226 Can't wait for the Federal Judge-President to order any changes to the Executive Branch by the Chief Executive are unconstitutional.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at April 22, 2025 01:06 PM (+3+7z)

227 OMG! You mean government workers can lose their jobs like folks at Google, Meta, Ford, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc. etc

Posted by: JM in Illinois at April 22, 2025 01:06 PM (kNKkj)

228 And interestingly, you have no problem with consulates (which are extensions of embassies) but can't understand why we have embassies.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 12:51 PM (vm8sq)

Consulate exist to provide services... visa applications, etc. Embassies do the same but they also house Ambassadors. Why do we need Ambassadors? And, if we don't, then they're consulates. Capisce?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:07 PM (ExV1e)

229 Could be a bug bite I suppose.

The fed ex guy is on my porch right now. He has an ugly long beard and a nose septum piercing.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem

Chiggers are common in wet woods and grasses. But if it continues see a doc. I have neuropathy at times from my psoriatic arthritis and have known people with diabetes, or shingles to get similar uncontrollable itching.

Poison Ivy and Oak generally leave blisters.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:07 PM (ctrM5)

230 195 Any time you get a cat bite or scratch, you should immediately flush it with rubbing alcohol. I'd do that, and if it continues to itch, you could need antibiotics.
Posted by: Notsothoreau
----

"Dermoplast first aid", it is the only aerosol antibiotic remaining on the market. It will flush and clean the wound deeper and better than pouring, tamping or rubbing, When out and about and yard work keep a can handy as soon as a cut or puncture put the nozzle right on the wound and spray until it hits the spot.
Ergo, no infection.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 01:07 PM (CL4hu)

231 I have to disagree with Miklos about Orban. NPR, the AP and Ukraine all hate him claiming he's dismantling Democracy and becoming a dictator. What does that tell you?

Posted by: sharon(willow's apprentice) at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (t/2Uw)

232 At the exact same time people whine, bitch and scream about how "we lost Africa to China".

I cannot, and will not, understand the allure of whiny isolationism.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (vm8sq)

While you, Dick Cheney and Hillary Clinton may think it's in your best interest to "win Africa," it is demonstrably not in the best interest of the American middle class who pay for this bullshit in tax dollars and in the blood of their kids who fight our wars.

That's the disconnect.

The "whiny isolationism" was the official policy of the US pretty much up until the Cold War for a reason.

And the best part is, our CIA and State Department have virtually zero success stories to point to in the past 80 years of this foreign adventurism. They have fucked up at nearly every turn if their goal was to do what is in America's best interest.

Which tells you that their stated goal is probably not their actual goal, no?

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (uCjyK)

233 Packing the Court won't help because half of the four will turn out to be undercover commie rats.

Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (ereJz)

234 ----
Consulate?
Posted by: Ciampino - Embassies give you hell when u r in trouble at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (sPQoU)

Consulates are satellites of the main embassy in a foreign nation's capital, but in the main embassy is the primary consulate that issues visas/provides American citizen services. The satellite consulates will have a consul general to oversea them, but they fall under the Consul General of the Embassy and the Ambassador. If a country only has an embassy, Amcits go to the consulate in the embassy for passport/amcit services.

Posted by: Moki at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (wLjpr)

235 Could be a bug bite I suppose.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench)
----------------------

I already told ya',, it was a brown recluse spider. I saw it when it happened...

Posted by: Bob from NSA at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (5hfjS)

236 We need embassies, but we have to staff them with better people. In other words, nobody who really WANTS to be a diplomat should be allowed into the position because they are almost exclusively made up of elitist left wing twits. One worlder types, the kind that sneer at Americana and patriotism... regarding America, at least.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (2VST1)

237 >> At the exact same time people whine, bitch and scream about how "we lost Africa to China".

I don’t care about Africa. Let the Chinese have it. Africa isn’t a powerhouse, it’s a dysfunctional mess.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (l3YAf)

238 When my foot itches, I scratch it.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (jc0TO)

You asked for it.......

https://youtu.be/ilIDkkD0jIg

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (Zz0t1)

239 Yes, because if we're not there to use covert ops to overthrow half the governments in Africa in any given decade, then China will, which will be the end of the US as a country.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:04 PM (uCjyK)

I'd rather have us represented as an alternative to the Chinese, thanks. I don't really have an interest in learning Mandarin or Hindi like many isolationists. I like peace through strength, deterrence, and offering an alternative to the PRC. I like being the big dog on the block because I don't want anyone else to have it, and if the isolationists get their wish, they will not like the end result. It will turn out that Beijing and New Delhi and Moscow and Tehran will do things that are NOT in our best interest and there is nothing we can do about it because the isolationists want us to be very whiny so they can save a buck.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (vm8sq)

240 Who needs WebMD when you have Us ?

Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (VE6XX)

241 In 2023, the VA increased staffing at DC headquarters by 25%. All regional state HQ offices staffing increased by 25%. The actual VA hospitals staffing only increased by 10%. This year there will be a RIF of 77K employees which is a good thing but hopefully they will RIF from the higher levels where you will find all of the bloated, redundant, highest paid positions.
Posted by: Cheri at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (oiNtH)

Watched this in the medical industry (did IT work for Doctors).... seemed the more 'automated' they became, the more office staff they had... mostly just to do Insurance and Government paperwork.

Posted by: Romeo13 at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (QAkQ3)

242 220 117
Well, if I'm an American traveling abroad, and some corrupt law enforcement officer is E. Bumfuck decides to stick it to the Westerner. I'd like to know there are embassy officials down the street who can show up and protect my important posterior.

Posted by: Orson at April 22, 2025 12:45 PM (iPlTF)
----
Consulate?

Posted by: Ciampino - Embassies give you hell when u r in trouble at April 22, 2025 01:05 PM (sPQoU)

--- --

Embassies are located in capital cities.
Consulates are the branch office in other major cities.

We need to keep the embassies for diplomatic work alone, plus helping Americans in country.

Consulates are not always necessary, so we could close many of them with no real harm done other than a time inconvenience with traveling to an embassy for help.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (6ydKt)

243 Packing the Court won't help because half of the four will turn out to be undercover commie rats.
Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 01:08 PM (ereJz)

Just add 100 truck drivers, farmers and auto mechanics to SCOTUS. Simple as.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (l3YAf)

244 whig

The Montgomery Deep Thrust failed in Market Garden, for well known reasons. It was an operational and intelligence failure of the first water.

On balance, Ike got it right, and collapse was rapid once the entire Rhine was breached in 4 places. In addition, the Russians reached their manpower limits upon the taking of Berlin. So that was an unexpected bonus.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:11 PM (u82oZ)

245 Who needs WebMD when you have Us ?
Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (VE6XX)

We're much less libtard.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:11 PM (Zz0t1)

246 When is Trump's 100 day mark?
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (jc0TO)

It occurs after the 99th day and before the 101st day

Posted by: Doof at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (vf0Y9)

247 Flush the cat with alcohol.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (63Dwl)

248 I don’t care about Africa. Let the Chinese have it. Africa isn’t a powerhouse, it’s a dysfunctional mess.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (l3YAf)

China wants it for its natural resources.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (Zz0t1)

249
the top of my foot over the arch. Last night I was sitting there swinging my foot. The cat decided that this was a "problem ". She grabbed at my foot, caught it, and bit it before I could shift. So I now have scratches and bite marks on my foot. The itchiness is right next to these spots but not the actual spots themselves.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem

==================

Madame Mayhem, when the cat decides my bare skin is a problem and draws blood, I immediately wash the affected area well with soap and hot water. I've discovered after many years and many cats that that's the way.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (1LbhO)

250 When is Trump's 100 day mark?
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 12:50 PM (jc0TO)

It occurs after the 99th day and before the 101st day
Posted by: Doof at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM

Burn the Math Witch!

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (jc0TO)

251 I'd love to know why the media and Dems are gunning for Hegseth so hard right now.

It takes a long time to make a four star general. As Hegseth uncovers, and removes, those who should have been out of uniform decades ago, he sets back their certainty of being able to use US forces against US citizens.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (ExV1e)

252 The Montgomery Deep Thrust failed in Market Garden, for well known reasons. It was an operational and intelligence failure of the first water.

It was a risk, and it failed but if it had worked, Monty would be the most celebrated general of WW2.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (2VST1)

253 Then, our elites (who were skimming off the top this entire time), decided to replace the native born population with a new, more compliant, population. Which, of course, we also paid for. Also, let's not forget, those same low IQ nepo babies were using the US government to overthrow governments all over the world and fuck over all kinds of people. Those people, of course, harbor great resentment for that. And all of that was done in secret at home, but in our name abroad.

Why would we trust those same people with anything, much less unaccountable government postings half a world away where they're likely engaged in all kinds of shenanigans?
Posted by: Harry Paratestes
========
That is one of the problems with a decayed and corrupt aristocracy--it leads people to desperately seek a tyrant to put down the aristocracy. Seldom works out well in history. For example, no one wants to immigrate to Maduro's Venezuela and that regime was put into place because Venezuelans wanted Hugo Chavez to be el jefe to crack down on their existing uniparty. He did but simply enriched himself while he steadily impoverished an extremely rich country. Maduro is just continuing that policy.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (ctrM5)

254 240 Who needs WebMD when you have Us ?
Posted by: It's me donna at April 22, 2025 01:10 PM (VE6XX

Medical,dating, cooking.. this is the place

Posted by: A dude in MI at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (/6GbT)

255
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (vm8sq)

It's not about saving a buck. Even if it costs us more money, it's well worth it.

It's because our government is NOT doing what is in our best interests. Secret spy organizations are not compatible with self-governance. Being the "world police" is an expensive and losing proposition that destroys empires and drains treasuries. And what happens in Africa has limited to no impact on people living a middle class existence here in the US, and should be left to the determination of the people who live in Africa.

All of that aside, there is zero chance that the Chinese or Indians take over the US, unless we allow them to via immigration like we are doing right now.

So if that's a real concern for you, I think you need to focus on stopping all legal immigrations, and stop being so concerned about the happenings in Cote D'Ivoire or wherever.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (uCjyK)

256 the top of my foot over the arch. Last night I was sitting there swinging my foot. The cat decided that this was a "problem ". She grabbed at my foot, caught it, and bit it before I could shift. So I now have scratches and bite marks on my foot. The itchiness is right next to these spots but not the actual spots themselves.
Posted by: Madame Mayhem

My grandmother was just shy of her 99th birthday. Her cat attacked her foot in the middle of the night. It got infected, spent time in the hospital from it and they were never able to get the infection to subside. She was gone within 3 months.

Cats are from Hell.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (Zz0t1)

257 Japan and Korea created the delusion that we could build democracies. The US government still refuses to recognize they are the exception, not the rule.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (wBaIH)

258 By choosing carefully, we can embolden the Chinese to Imperial Overstretch. The bonus is the behavior of China in country. Chinese be asshole.

Deep Stater USAians are too, but not junior and senior enlisted.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (u82oZ)

259 Foot itching ? Top Scientists claim global warming to blame.

Posted by: The Weather Channel at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (MH24+)

260 Is there a reason to keep Generals around in peacetime? Isn't all the work done by Colonels?

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (jc0TO)

261 9 years and counting. Still funny.
Posted by: J. Frank Parnell

A vicious, premeditated assault like that on a fine journalist should never be forgiven, or forgotten.

Posted by: Never Trump Establishment at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (G5+As)

262 Flush the cat with alcohol.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 22, 2025 01:12 PM (63Dwl)

Or buckshot.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:14 PM (Zz0t1)

263 >> I like being the big dog on the block because I don't want anyone else to have it, and if the isolationists get their wish, they will not like the end result.

Yeah, that’s worked out so well for you, hasn’t it? $40 trillion in debt, haven’t won a war since 1945, and our working class hollowed out so we’ve become extremely dependent on hostile nations for basic survival.

Globalism has failed. Suck it up.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (l3YAf)

264 And have all our schools teach Mandarin because Leupold wants an America that is as weak and whiny as possible.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
===

This might be the dumbest "hot take" I've ever heard.

Clearly if we don't have our hands in every foreign country, we're all going to be slaves to China.

Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (4pwAx)

265 I'd love to know why the media and Dems are gunning for Hegseth so hard right now.

He's pushing to permanently end the lunacy, incompetence, and corruption in the Pentagon.

They have a system in place where certain types of officers who the Republicans tend not to like "resign" to the private sector for sweet jobs they worked out with contractors until a Democrat is back in, at which point they regain their Pentagon job.

Hegseth is working to end that, among many other things, such as the blatant, outrageous corruption taking place between contractors and Pentagon officials. They hate and want him dead, not just gone, for this. That's where the huge push to get rid of him comes from.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (2VST1)

266 237 >> At the exact same time people whine, bitch and scream about how "we lost Africa to China".

I don’t care about Africa. Let the Chinese have it. Africa isn’t a powerhouse, it’s a dysfunctional mess.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:09 PM (l3YAf)

You want an isolationist America that is as weak and whiny as possible, and if this means China takes over the world and you are forced to learn Mandarin, so be it.

Me, I'm not interested, and see Africa and other places as resources we can and should exploit, because isolationist countries go nowhere. I'll take an America unafraid of the world, willing to step up for its interests using DIME, and being a world economic leader, thanks.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (vm8sq)

267 And in the case of Equatorial Guinea in 1990, the staff get involved in a love triangle and kill each other and Main State doesn't hear about it for six weeks when the Africa desk decides to check on why they haven't sent a cable in that long.
Posted by: Moki at April 22, 2025 12:59 PM (wLjpr)
***********************************************

1971 in Equatorial Guinea, the higher-ranked of the two embassy personnel went insane and murdered the other, after sending a bizarre radio broadcast that immediately prompted the sending of America's consul in Douala, Cameroon, to investigate. A jury rejected the claim of temporary insanity but only found the defendant guilty of manslaughter, and he was released after just three years in prison.

Posted by: Zombie Breitbart at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (VlT1R)

268 A Bridge Too Far is a lot better if you FF thru the James Caan side plot.

It adds absolutely nothing.

Posted by: eleven at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (0HaGk)

269 Ambassador Mike Huckabee
@USAmbIsrael
A @WHO official called upon me to put pressure on Israel to bring more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. How about we put the pressure where it really belongs – on Hamas.
8:10 AM · Apr 21, 2025
=====

Fvcking UN

Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (RIvkX)

270 That is one of the problems with a decayed and corrupt aristocracy--it leads people to desperately seek a tyrant to put down the aristocracy. Seldom works out well in history. For example, no one wants to immigrate to Maduro's Venezuela and that regime was put into place because Venezuelans wanted Hugo Chavez to be el jefe to crack down on their existing uniparty. He did but simply enriched himself while he steadily impoverished an extremely rich country. Maduro is just continuing that policy.
Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (ctrM5)

Well, that's the price we pay. They did this to themselves, and we allowed it to happen.

So either we continue to fail and decay as a country and go out with a whimper, or we realize we're running out of time (if there is any left) to turn the ship and try to fix this now.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (uCjyK)

271 I see some daylight between total isolationism and globalism. Where there's a way you can be active and working for American interests around the world without believing in one-world government that obliterates nations and borders.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (2VST1)

272 Advance Auto Parts cleared out of the entire left coast. That's sad. At least there's NAPA.

Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (ereJz)

273 I would bet that three years in a Equatorial Guinea prison ages a man.

Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (jc0TO)

274 Gonna get will owed but.... Have a main embassy for the continent and consulate offices for each country on that continent. Consulate reports to embassy. If a problem arises consulate handles until its big and bad enough for the embassy to get involved.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (2J/Lj)

275 187. Kallisto, I had to smile at Trump sitting at a kid’s table coloring with them yesterday. He tells one of the “you know this is kind of fun. “Then I understand he ended up signing all the other kids pictures that they colored. Mom and Dad will be putting those on the refrigerator.

Posted by: Jen the original at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (AaBk+)

276 Programs for "Countering Violent Extremism" are being phased out, as the administration believes they overlap with existing counterterrorism and narcotics enforcement efforts.

The most notable violent extremist organization most Americans had to worry about was the Biden junta.

Posted by: 18-1 at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (t0Rmr)

277 Hell, in most of the world a crisp $100 bill will get you out of more jams than a US consulate.

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (wBaIH)

278 All of that aside, there is zero chance that the Chinese or Indians take over the US, unless we allow them to via immigration like we are doing right now.

So if that's a real concern for you, I think you need to focus on stopping all legal immigrations, and stop being so concerned about the happenings in Cote D'Ivoire or wherever.
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:13 PM (uCjyK)

Exactly. These “invade the world/invite the world” people have wrecked our nation with their lost wars and mass immigration, then they complain about being forced to learn another language?

The number of non-English speakers I’ve seen in my day-to-day life has massively increased over the last 20 years due to the same globalist tendencies that has us placing embassies in Bangladesh.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:18 PM (l3YAf)

279 I wonder if the DoJ play soon is that the Federal cases are going to be listed as Constitutional issues, and can only be heard by the Supreme Court. Any action by a lesser court is ignored, as they do not have standing
---
By (1) taking the case and (2) by granting original relief on Saturday, the Court over-ruled Marbury v. Madison by implication.

The actual holding of that case was that the Supreme Court did not have original jurisdiction to grant the relief Marbury requested as that was an original action, not permitted to the Court in the Constitution.

Trump can now--by citing the stay as precedent--demand every case against him must be heard in the Supreme Court.

To put it another way, the ACLU doesn't get to obtain emergency--original!--relief in a mere 8 hours from the Supreme Court, but the US Government still has to let the process play out in lower courts.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at April 22, 2025 01:18 PM (+3+7z)

280 Appears someone stole a Holy Eucharist at the livestream mass at Harrisburg parish last night - watch on camera

https://tinyurl.com/334ct78y

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at April 22, 2025 01:18 PM (+V4HG)

281 John Cena won the WWE championship and is retiring.

He says he's a man of integrity and honor.

I can only remember him for apologizing to China in PERFECT Mandarin for saying that Taiwan was it's own country.

Go goatf*ck, John.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:18 PM (Zz0t1)

282
1971 in Equatorial Guinea, the higher-ranked of the two embassy personnel went insane and murdered the other, after sending a bizarre radio broadcast that immediately prompted the sending of America's consul in Douala, Cameroon, to investigate. A jury rejected the claim of temporary insanity but only found the defendant guilty of manslaughter, and he was released after just three years in prison.
Posted by: Zombie Breitbart at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (VlT1R)

That was one, there was another. I worked with the guy who had to go clean it up.

Posted by: Moki at April 22, 2025 01:18 PM (wLjpr)

283 On balance, Ike got it right, and collapse was rapid once the entire Rhine was breached in 4 places. In addition, the Russians reached their manpower limits upon the taking of Berlin. So that was an unexpected bonus.
Posted by: NaCly Dog

I may grumble at times about Ike but his method more or less relied on the attritional advantage by pushing the Not Sees out of everywhere which meant that the Not Sees had a hard time concentrating forces to oppose the Allies.

Trump is not risking much in the courts because while that is going on, he is making life more and more miserable for illegals and refugees by cutting off, delaying, etc. their funds. By requiring the Real ID, it makes travel more difficult, and so on.

Self deportment is the goal here other than the criminals. Notice that while the courts are dithering around, Trump still has the criminals Biden let loose in detainment facilities which helps. They can't kill innocents, rob us, vote, or other such indignities while these foreign criminals are locked up. Xanatos gambit.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:19 PM (ctrM5)

284 Advance Auto Parts cleared out of the entire left coast. That's sad. At least there's NAPA.
Posted by: torabora at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (ereJz)

No
Auto
Parts
Available

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:19 PM (Zz0t1)

285
I don't really have an interest in learning Mandarin or Hindi like many isolationists.

Isolationists like to learn foreign languages?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at April 22, 2025 01:19 PM (63Dwl)

286 I see some daylight between total isolationism and globalism. Where there's a way you can be active and working for American interests around the world without believing in one-world government that obliterates nations and borders.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

===

I just get tired of the straw man arguments that is the US isn't footing the bill for everything, we're suddenly "isolationists".

I want trade, economic partnerships, and military allies, but we still have some dumb WW2 model that means everyone else gets to be a free rider.

Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (4pwAx)

287 Now... take note of the comments in this thread every time you wonder why Trump isn't going faster. On every single issue you're going to find people who will say, "Yes, go faster, cut more, be more cruel... but not on THIS issue. This one needs to remain exactly like it has always been."

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (ExV1e)

288 Karen Read trial 2.0 started today.
Defense opening statement was en fuego.

First witness being cross examined, and he us a total joke. EMT Nuttal says his memory gets clearer as time goes by.

I shit you not.

Lunch break now on Andrea Burkhart's stream.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (ufFY8)

289 I worry about China taking over the USA the same way I worried about Japan doing so in the 80s, as in: I don't. But I do think we've allowed China far too much influence and property in the US, to our detriment. Like those Mao centers that were built in many of the major universities. Seriously, nobody saw a problem there??

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (2VST1)

290 Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?!
......

My foot doesn't itch.

Posted by: wth at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (v0R5T)

291 Hell, in most of the world a crisp $100 bill will get you out of more jams than a US consulate.

Cost me $65 (in rubles) to get out of a Russian police station once.

The closest American diplomat was a thousand miles away.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (xTIDn)

292 271 I see some daylight between total isolationism and globalism. Where there's a way you can be active and working for American interests around the world without believing in one-world government that obliterates nations and borders.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (2VST1)

-- --

It shouldn't be too hard to find a way.
Because that's the way the world was before, say, the 1990s.

We've just got to remember we're not the only big dog on the block and act accordingly.

Think of the world like it was pre-WWI.
A global economy made up of a collection of major powers with trade and military alliances.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (6ydKt)

293 I wonder if the DoJ play soon is that the Federal cases are going to be listed as Constitutional issues, and can only be heard by the Supreme Court. Any action by a lesser court is ignored, as they do not have standing

As it should be. But yes, by ruling as they did, the Supreme Court effectively ruled that they alone can make federal judgements, as the constitution actually implies. I do not think that was their intention.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (2VST1)

294 Christopher R Taylor

His lack of initiative, poor decision-making on the fly, ignoring the two SS Armored divisions in Arnhem, disregarding the Dutch military knowledge (the attack was a final exam in their war college before the war) and a shortage of reinforcing units doomed the efforts.

Even a different Montgomery could not have saved it. A different plan, with Patton's 3rd Army, and Patton in command, maybe.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (u82oZ)

295 Advance Auto Parts cleared out of the entire left coast. That's sad. At least there's NAPA.
Posted by: torabora
===

I like RockAuto if you can wait for things to be shipped.

Auto parts stores have insane markups for retail customers.

Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (4pwAx)

296 Ambassador Mike Huckabee
@USAmbIsrael
A @WHO official called upon me to put pressure on Israel to bring more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. How about we put the pressure where it really belongs – on Hamas.
8:10 AM · Apr 21, 2025
=====

Fvcking UN
Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 22, 2025 01:16 PM (RIvkX)

Let's first see some concern by NATO for humanitarian aid for 10 month old Mila Cohen and her grandparents. Oopsie --- too late.

Posted by: LASue at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (lCppi)

297
This might be the dumbest "hot take" I've ever heard.

Clearly if we don't have our hands in every foreign country, we're all going to be slaves to China.
Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (4pwAx)

Actually, you said bring all our troops home, shut our embassies, and turn inward. Yours is actually the dumbest hot take and you came up with it. You are the one who wants a weak, whiny America and are totally cool with China taking over the world. Me, I want to use something called "DIME". I want peace through strength, and deterrence, which means occasionally poking our heads out of our country. And I am perfectly good with embassies because at the very least I want our eyes and ears ground in countries all over the world so that nothing catches us unawares.

Your approach failed 90 years ago. Go study some history. You might learn something.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (vm8sq)

298 They better not close the embassy in Wakanda, noam sayin?

Posted by: Jasmine Crockett at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (paSBy)

299 The Karen Read trial is the one where Mass arrested a reporter for interviewing people about it right?

Posted by: 18-1 at April 22, 2025 01:21 PM (t0Rmr)

300 "My foot doesn't itch.
Posted by: wth"

You need to get with the cool kids.

Posted by: eleven at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (0HaGk)

301 Trump can now--by citing the stay as precedent--demand every case against him must be heard in the Supreme Court.

To put it another way, the ACLU doesn't get to obtain emergency--original!--relief in a mere 8 hours from the Supreme Court, but the US Government still has to let the process play out in lower courts.
Posted by: People's Hippo Voice
--------
You can argue that in court but generally speaking orders, denial of cert, etc. are not treated as precedent by Scotus. What you are supposing is that Scotus will neuter itself which I think unlikely.

Since the public does not necessarily understand how Scotus magic occurred, Trump using rhetoric that the Supreme Court is not even following its own rules is more effective in a political battle. That is what this has become.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (ctrM5)

302 Too bad. I was hoping to come out of retirement and serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Posted by: Paco at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (mADJX)

303 Doesn't Israel have more UN sanctions against it than Hamas or Hezbollah?

The UN can goatf*ck right next to John Cena.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (Zz0t1)

304 >> you are forced to learn Mandarin

You keep making this bizarre assertion. Why would I learn Mandarin?

>> isolationist countries go nowhere

America was pretty isolationist until 1939 (excluding WWI, which was a mistake.) We were a better country in the 1920s, but enjoy your gay American communism, I guess.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (l3YAf)

305 Once again, they just lied to farm outrage clicks.
Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?!
Posted by: Ace at 12:22 PM

Happy Tuesday, ace!

Posted by: BifBewalski at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (J42dR)

306 216 199 114 I can’t think of a single benefit to having an embassy anywhere in Africa.
Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director
---------------
Egypt cuz Suez and oil. Morocco cuz hippies. That's about it.

Posted by: Pudinhead at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (pZ64F)

307 Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (ufFY

Karen Read will never be found guilty if these charges.
And I predict one of the McAlberts will eat a bulket.

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (q6XPQ)

308 I worry about China taking over the USA the same way I worried about Japan doing so in the 80s, as in: I don't. But I do think we've allowed China far too much influence and property in the US, to our detriment. Like those Mao centers that were built in many of the major universities. Seriously, nobody saw a problem there??
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (2VST1)

Right. We allowed China to buy massive influence in our institutions, buy up land and companies, send millions of their citizens to live here...

...and yet the real threat from China is if we aren't Johnny on the Spot to create a coup in Eritrea if the government there starts talking about nationalizing an industry that some multinational company has an interest in or whatever the "emergency" of the day is?

Please.

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at April 22, 2025 01:22 PM (uCjyK)

309 If a cat bit my foot, in an instant, that foot would be so far up that cat’s ass my big toe would be sticking out its mouth.

Posted by: Guy who hates cats at April 22, 2025 01:23 PM (Y1sOo)

310 Karen Read trial 2.0 started today.
Defense opening statement was en fuego.

First witness being cross examined, and he us a total joke. EMT Nuttal says his memory gets clearer as time goes by.

I shit you not.

Lunch break now on Andrea Burkhart's stream.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at April 22, 2025 01:20 PM (ufFY

Does he now "remember" Karen saying "I killed him"?

Posted by: LASue at April 22, 2025 01:23 PM (lCppi)

311 --- --

Embassies are located in capital cities.
Consulates are the branch office in other major cities.

We need to keep the embassies for diplomatic work alone, plus helping Americans in country.

Consulates are not always necessary, so we could close many of them with no real harm done other than a time inconvenience with traveling to an embassy for help.
Posted by: SpeakingOf
-----------------

That's all a bunch of bureaucratic gobble-de-gook.
All of those responsibilities can be done out of one office.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at April 22, 2025 01:24 PM (CL4hu)

312 I saw Eat a Bulket open for Bullet Boys at The Bomb Factory in '98.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at April 22, 2025 01:24 PM (Zz0t1)

313 299 The Karen Read trial is the one where Mass arrested a reporter for interviewing people about it right?

Yes. And where the CW star witness was kicked off the State Police force for being corrupt

Posted by: kallisto at April 22, 2025 01:24 PM (q6XPQ)

314 Nood. SCOTUS.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at April 22, 2025 01:25 PM (ExV1e)

315 Itchy feet is the first sign of turning gay.

Posted by: Dr Pork Chops & Bacons at April 22, 2025 01:25 PM (g8Ew8)

316 Hegseth is working to end that, among many other things, such as the blatant, outrageous corruption taking place between contractors and Pentagon officials. They hate and want him dead, not just gone, for this. That's where the huge push to get rid of him comes from.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at April 22, 2025 01:15 PM (2VST1)

Yup, I'm thinking he's stepped on too many toes.

He's also rethinking tactics and strategy with war itself.

Watching the Russo-Ukrainian war and what Israel is doing in Gaza is causing some heartburn.

What good is a tank if it can be taken out by a $200 drone with a bomb attached to it?

A lot of things need to change.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 01:25 PM (6ydKt)

317 You are the one who wants a weak, whiny America and are totally cool with China taking over the world. Me, I want to use something called "DIME". I want peace through strength, and deterrence, which means occasionally poking our heads out of our country. And I am perfectly good with embassies because at the very least I want our eyes and ears ground in countries all over the world so that nothing catches us unawares.

Your approach failed 90 years ago. Go study some history. You might learn something.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33

===

Go fuck yourself. Nobody is buying what you're selling

So you work in this space are scared you'll get shitcanned? Is that was this about?

Get back to your important work that we "need".

All sort of countries aren't "isolationist" yet they don't have their soldiers stationed all around the world like we do.

It's a fake "empire" and all we have is trillions in debt to show for it.

Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:26 PM (4pwAx)

318 287 Now... take note of the comments in this thread every time you wonder why Trump isn't going faster. On every single issue you're going to find people who will say, "Yes, go faster, cut more, be more cruel... but not on THIS issue. This one needs to remain exactly like it has always been."
Posted by: I used
=======
Frankly, about the only political comparison to Trump right now is George S. Patton in his breakout campaign in France. His first term was spent like teh Allies in the bocage field and Biden's failures and disintegration of their ruling coalition has given Trump a breakout opportunity out of the stagnant Uniparty status quo.

Trump just needs the gas so his commanders can reach the enemy's capital--DC.

Posted by: whig at April 22, 2025 01:26 PM (ctrM5)

319 whig

Agree. Trump and his team are getting things done, while the Dems talk. They are pissing more and more people off, who feel empowered by Trump's actions.

Right now, I would consider an order to arrest obstructionist judges and most Dem politicians a legal order. They are active domestic enemies. If left alone, they would bring large-scale strife to the heartland.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:26 PM (u82oZ)

320 It's a fake "empire" and all we have is trillions in debt to show for it.
Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:26 PM (4pwAx)

Hey, we flew the Buttsex Pride Flag all over the world. Go Home Empire!

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:28 PM (l3YAf)

321 *Homo Empire

Damned autocucumber.

Posted by: Disinterested FDA Director at April 22, 2025 01:28 PM (l3YAf)

322 I would bet that three years in a Equatorial Guinea prison ages a man.
Posted by: toby928 at April 22, 2025 01:17 PM (jc0TO)
*************************************

United States prison. The crime was committed in the embassy, so American soil.

Posted by: Zombie Breitbart at April 22, 2025 01:28 PM (VlT1R)

323 Will Rubio also close the Bureau of Fostering H@te of the United States In All Foreign Nations? It's not on the list. It must have a very innocuous false name.

Posted by: Gref at April 22, 2025 01:29 PM (aBgBM)

324 whig

Shutting down DC is possible. Would not be that hard. And not that deadly either.

Now who would want a better class of criminals in office? Besides everyone but patriotic Americans? The answer is to reduce the size of the criminal class.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:29 PM (u82oZ)

325 I would like to be appointed Consul General to Bermuda. I would uphold the office with all of the dignity it deserves.

And if any of you got in trouble I would more than likely help you as long as it didn't interfere with happy hours.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 22, 2025 01:30 PM (viF8m)

326 JackStraw

I can see you trying to get a fruity drink with an umbrella in it into HM Bermuda prisons to rescue US damsels in distress. For a consideration.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:32 PM (u82oZ)

327 325 I would like to be appointed Consul General to Bermuda. I would uphold the office with all of the dignity it deserves.

And if any of you got in trouble I would more than likely help you as long as it didn't interfere with happy hours.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 22, 2025 01:30 PM (viF8m)

-- --

Now you've got me wondering who the lucky bastard is that has that job.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at April 22, 2025 01:32 PM (6ydKt)

328 Salty -

Have no fear. Under my watch you will walk the pink sand beaches like a king.

And once again, my sincere condolences.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 22, 2025 01:34 PM (viF8m)

329 Nood Law

Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 22, 2025 01:34 PM (u82oZ)

330 >>Now you've got me wondering who the lucky bastard is that has that job.

Some squatter. Someone is obviously keeping my resume from Trump.

Posted by: JackStraw at April 22, 2025 01:35 PM (viF8m)

331 320 It's a fake "empire" and all we have is trillions in debt to show for it.
Posted by: Leupold at April 22, 2025 01:26 PM (4pwAx)

I didn't realize this whole time that we have an empire, and that the only cure to our debt is to become whiny and isolationist. Not, you know, spending money more wisely. Not keeping embassies open but shuttering consulates for low foot traffic. Not, you know, shuttering the Department of Education because education is a state's (and family's) responsibility. Not telling people they are better off paying for their own doctor. Not shuttering other useless departments like Energy, HUD, sharply curtailing others.

Oh, and by not implementing DIME for foreign policy.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 01:36 PM (vm8sq)

332 n empire, and that the only cure to our debt is to become whiny and isolationist. Not, you know, spending money more wisely.

----
Oh! Spend money more wisely!!

How obvious! I'm surprised nobody's thought of that before!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at April 22, 2025 02:00 PM (asXVI)

333 Georgetown's School of Public Service hardest hit.

Posted by: the other coyote at April 22, 2025 02:06 PM (oGPcA)

334 Oh! Spend money more wisely!!

How obvious! I'm surprised nobody's thought of that before!
Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at April 22, 2025 02:00 PM (asXVI)

Politicians certainly don't. And voters can't be bothered to keep tabs on it. Maybe if those two conditions were met we wouldn't have crap like USAID.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at April 22, 2025 03:16 PM (vm8sq)

335 The biggest office they need to close is the United Nations quit wasting our taxes on these Vultures

Posted by: Tamaa the Drongo Bird at April 22, 2025 04:38 PM (wGqjj)

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