Octopus Overlords

Zarathud wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:15 pm You let the GOP win by controlling the narrative and language. It’s why there are so many things trolling the Democrats to overwhelm them into shutdown.

Don’t obey in advance. Resist.
Don’t stop fighting. Pick your battles.
Don’t doom scroll the news. Pay attention to the real damage.
Don’t let the algorithms and AI take control. Quit social media.

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:13 pm They did. Tomorrow is pre-release day (for those in the know) of the next MMWR and everyone is waiting to see if the scheduled release will happen (I doubt it).

There's really no good explanation for this other than it's tied to RFK Jr.'s pending confirmation hearing. There's been significant pushback and this kinda feels like a power move to allow the confirmation hearing to take place and possibly then install him. You want updates? You want the MMWR? You want health advisories and food recall notifications? Then we need to hurry up and confirm a new head so he can start approving what can be sent out.

Oh, and they also cancelled the next round of PHAP appointments at the CDC (would have been in February). This is a pipeline to get college graduates real-world experience by working at the CDC in any number of areas. If you go to the PHAP website and try to apply, you'll eventually end up on a "cancelled" page.

To be clear, none of this is surprising to me. But it's still chilling to observe in real time - and he's just getting started.

Published Jan. 20 2025 6:25PM EST


Just hours after he delivered an impassioned benediction at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Reverend Lorenzo Sewell announced the launch of his own crypto token dubbed $Lorenzo. “I need you to do me a favor right now,” he said in a video on X. “I want you to be able to see politics become manifest, not just in the way where we’re praying over political gatherings, but we’re seeing us become the hands and the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Sewell urged his supporters to purchase his token in order to fund his ministry’s projects, which he said included providing transportation, housing, education, and medical services. “I need you to do me a favor and go and get that coin in order for us to accomplish the vision that God has called us to do in our Earth,” he said.

hepcat wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:19 am Asking for mercy for others shouldn't result in anger in a true christian. Anyone kicking back against Bishop Mariann is showing their true colors.

The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!

hepcat wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:00 am Welp, that's another thing Trump hates. Actual Christians.

This wonderful reverend, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, stood in front of Trump as he sat in the audience and addressed him directly, asking for mercy for the LGBQT+ community and the overwhelming number of immigrants in this country that AREN'T criminals. The video of that is uncomfortable only because the reaction from Trump and his toady Vance aren't what you'd call accepting.



Musk's vice president Trump is obviously seething as he sits next to his trophy (immigrant) wife. And the Trump's mini-Roy Cohn J.D. Vance makes a few snide comments to his stone faced (child of immigrants) wife.

Side Note: I pray to God Vance's wife can't sleep knowing how much harm she's doing. The rest of them don't give two shits for the the misery of those not of their race, country or even political party; but I still hold out hope Vance's wife has some semblance of humanity still in her soul. Her children are going to be bullied by MAGA people wherever they go, now that they've been emboldened and told hate of migrants and minorities is okay.

God love the good people of this world like Bishop Mariann though. She's a national treasure.

Of course, today's news brings reports of MAGA cult members in the government saying she should be put on a deportation list.

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:35 am

hepcat wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:19 am Asking for mercy for others shouldn't result in anger in a true christian. Anyone kicking back against Bishop Mariann is showing their true colors.

For example:

The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:21 pm As many of you know, I work for a company that sells leader development training, supporting federal civilian agencies specifically. Just got out of an emergency meeting where we were reviewed the OPM memo outlining the actions taken as a result of Trump's DEI Executive Order:

- They just told every employee that is in a diversity, equity, or inclusion program in the entire federal government that they are suspended effective 5pm today and that they will be terminated.

- Any training that mentions diversity, inclusion, bias, race, or several other words must be eliminated immediately (we knew this was coming).

- They have set up a “tip line” where any agency employee who feels like someone in their agency is trying to “hide” diversity efforts by calling it something else (i.e. “workforce development”) can be anonymously reported for disciplinary action.

- They are requiring agencies to submit up to 9 private sector companies that they feel “practice inclusive hiring practices” to the Office of Personnel Management. Those companies will then be “investigated” by the administration and could potentially have their government contracts revoked if they don’t eliminate those programs immediately.

I knew it would be bad, but this is…not sure I can find the right words. Tip lines? Reporting private companies for "investigation" because they aren't hiring enough white guys? This is straight up Nazi shit.

Also, speaking as a straight, white, middle-class, middle-aged male, we are collectively the biggest bunch of arrogant, whiny, privileged babies that have ever existed in this country’s history. May god grant us all the undeserved confidence and authority of the mediocre white guy.

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:21 pm Also, speaking as a straight, white, middle-class, middle-aged male, we are collectively the biggest bunch of arrogant, whiny, privileged babies that have ever existed in this country’s history. May god grant us all the undeserved confidence and authority of the mediocre white guy.

El Guapo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:39 pm It just boggles the mind to imagine a company getting investigated for having "inclusive hiring practices". I feel like there must be thousands of companies that say they do that on their websites.

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:35 pm Should we dig up the Pirate Resignation letter for you?

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:43 pm

El Guapo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:39 pm It just boggles the mind to imagine a company getting investigated for having "inclusive hiring practices". I feel like there must be thousands of companies that say they do that on their websites.

The implied threat here is "hire white guys...or else".

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:35 pm Should we dig up the Pirate Resignation letter for you?

Gosh, it's just so shocking that you would find this all amusing.

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:21 pm I knew it would be bad, but this is…not sure I can find the right words. Tip lines? Reporting private companies for "investigation" because they aren't hiring enough white guys? This is straight up Nazi shit.

Also, speaking as a straight, white, middle-class, middle-aged male, we are collectively the biggest bunch of arrogant, whiny, privileged babies that have ever existed in this country’s history. May god grant us all the undeserved confidence and authority of the mediocre white guy.

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:45 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:43 pm

El Guapo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:39 pm It just boggles the mind to imagine a company getting investigated for having "inclusive hiring practices". I feel like there must be thousands of companies that say they do that on their websites.

The implied threat here is "hire white guys...or else".

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:35 pm Should we dig up the Pirate Resignation letter for you?

Gosh, it's just so shocking that you would find this all amusing.

No....I agree that it's appalling.
But by staying, doesnt that make you complicit?

IceBear wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:33 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:35 am

hepcat wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 11:19 am Asking for mercy for others shouldn't result in anger in a true christian. Anyone kicking back against Bishop Mariann is showing their true colors.

For example:

The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our Country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!

WTF is wrong with people. Where did general human compassion go? It's my rights are more important than society's that started with the asshats that got so upset about the lockdown and mask mandates ramped up to 1000

Max Peck wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 2:38 am

Rumpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:44 am

hepcat wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 10:35 pm Musk is the face of electric cars, which will result in most deplorables turning against him eventually. Never underestimate how much rage a threat to their gas powered cars generates in them.

Which is also funny considering the administration wants to end the EV incentives. Being that Musk owns one of the biggest electric car manufacturers, you'd think he'd be against this move. Talk about a conflict of interest.

Musk is in favor of ending the EV incentives because it would hurt the competition more than it would hurt Tesla. He's had his turn at the trough already.

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:45 pm

Skinypupy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:43 pm

El Guapo wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:39 pm It just boggles the mind to imagine a company getting investigated for having "inclusive hiring practices". I feel like there must be thousands of companies that say they do that on their websites.

The implied threat here is "hire white guys...or else".

stimpy wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 1:35 pm Should we dig up the Pirate Resignation letter for you?

Gosh, it's just so shocking that you would find this all amusing.

No....I agree that it's appalling.
But by staying, doesnt that make you complicit?

Hail, Sleezer!

Amid a deluge of executive actions, the Trump administration has directed federal health agencies to pause external communications, such as regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories, according to sources within the agencies.

The initial orders were delivered Tuesday to staff at agencies inside the US Department of Health and Human Services, including to officials at the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, according to the Washington Post, which first reported the story.

The direction came without warning and with little guidance as to what exactly it covered, according to sources inside the affected agencies who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to share the information.

In a follow-up memo obtained by CNN on Wednesday, Acting Health Secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink provided additional details, including that the directive would be in effect through February 1.

The memo told health agency employees to have all documents and communications - including regulations, guidance, notices, social media, websites and press releases - reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before issuing them. It also directed employees not to participate in any public speaking engagements without approval, and to coordinate with presidential appointees before issuing official correspondence to members of Congress or governors.

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:24 pm We could have been in a timeline headed for the United Federation of Planets, but instead we get this.

As an added bonus, with the communication "blackout" that's been mandated for the CDC, FDA, NIH, etc... by the administration, there are researchers and scientists reporting this afternoon that various committee meetings and training sessions have been cancelled that were focused on processing NIH biomedical grant review for research organizations and universities around the nation. In short, these are groups of scientist peers that review applications for grant money to fund research that the public and private sector then benefit from.

This is...not good.

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:24 pm We could have been in a timeline headed for the United Federation of Planets, but instead we get this.

As an added bonus, with the communication "blackout" that's been mandated for the CDC, FDA, NIH, etc... by the administration, there are researchers and scientists reporting this afternoon that various committee meetings and training sessions have been cancelled that were focused on processing NIH biomedical grant review for research organizations and universities around the nation. In short, these are groups of scientist peers that review applications for grant money to fund research that the public and private sector then benefit from.

This is...not good.

Smoove_B wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2025 11:13 pm /stuff

Oh, and they also cancelled the next round of PHAP appointments at the CDC (would have been in February). This is a pipeline to get college graduates real-world experience by working at the CDC in any number of areas. If you go to the PHAP website and try to apply, you'll eventually end up on a "cancelled" page.

To be clear, none of this is surprising to me. But it's still chilling to observe in real time - and he's just getting started.

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:24 pm We could have been in a timeline headed for the United Federation of Planets, but instead we get this.

As an added bonus, with the communication "blackout" that's been mandated for the CDC, FDA, NIH, etc... by the administration, there are researchers and scientists reporting this afternoon that various committee meetings and training sessions have been cancelled that were focused on processing NIH biomedical grant review for research organizations and universities around the nation. In short, these are groups of scientist peers that review applications for grant money to fund research that the public and private sector then benefit from.

This is...not good.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order designed to combat workplace discrimination by federal contractors, undoing a landmark labor standard that stretches back to the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson.

The rule Trump nuked, Executive Order 11246, forbade federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. It granted the Labor Department the power to enforce its provisions through a contracting standards office.

Enough wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 6:21 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 5:24 pm We could have been in a timeline headed for the United Federation of Planets, but instead we get this.

As an added bonus, with the communication "blackout" that's been mandated for the CDC, FDA, NIH, etc... by the administration, there are researchers and scientists reporting this afternoon that various committee meetings and training sessions have been cancelled that were focused on processing NIH biomedical grant review for research organizations and universities around the nation. In short, these are groups of scientist peers that review applications for grant money to fund research that the public and private sector then benefit from.

This is...not good.

Yep... https://bsky.app/profile/sundermannaj.b ... e3kudwxk2a

NIH travel chief Glenda Conroy sent an email to senior agency officials early today notifying them of an “immediate and indefinite” suspension of all travel throughout HHS with few exceptions, such as currently traveling employees returning home. Researchers who planned to present their work at meetings must cancel their trips, as must NIH officials promoting agency programs off site or visiting distant branches of the agency. “Future travel requests for any reason are not authorized and should not be approved,” the memo said.

The travel ban has left many researchers, especially younger scientists, bewildered, says a senior NIH scientist who asked to remain anonymous. Today, the scientist encountered one group of early-career researchers who were scheduled to attend and present at a distant conference next week—presentations that are now impossible. “People are just at a loss because they also don’t know what’s coming next. I have never seen this level of confusion and concern in people that are extremely dedicated to their mission,” the scientist says.

...

But an immediate, blanket ban on travel is unusual, says one longtime researcher in NIH's intramural program. “I don't think we've ever had this and it's pretty devastating for a postdoc or graduate student” who needs to present their work and network to move ahead in their career, the researcher says.

Holman wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:17 pm A responsible media would investigate why MAGA sees public-health science as a threat.

Donald Trump has unveiled what he called “the largest AI infrastructure project in history” – a $500bn joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank that aims to build a network of data centres across the US.

The new partnership, dubbed Stargate, aims to construct essential data centers and computing infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence development and, according to Trump, create more than 100,000 American jobs “almost immediately”.