Author Archives: M

Rolling Stone: Trump’s FEMA Denies North Carolina’s Request for Hurricane Helene Aid

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The president repeatedly bashed the Biden administration’s response to the disaster

Late in the 2024 campaign cycle, parts of western North Carolina were devastated by Hurricane Helene. Donald Trump accused former President Joe Biden of abandoning the region and mishandling the response to the crisis. The disaster in North Carolina became the jumping point for a myriad of conspiracies and attacks by Republicans against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FAMA). Trump vowed he would improve disaster responses as president. 

That was then.

This is now:

Now, four months into his administration North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, has become the latest lawmaker from a disaster-ravaged state who has been forced to beg the president to provide much-needed aid. 

On Friday, Stein published a video on social media informing the public that the Trump administration had denied the state’s request for FEMA to honor a Biden-era commitment to pay for 100 percent of debris removal costs. 

I guess King Donald changed his mind.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/fema-denies-north-carolina-request-hurricane-helene-aid-1235347521

Raw Story: Trump’s FEMA thumbs nose at state that backed him 3 times: ‘Gonna cost a lot’

Under President Donald Trump, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has turned down a request from a storm-ravaged state that narrowly voted for him three times.

Western North Carolina saw massive devastation last year from Hurricane Helene, which killed over 100 people and left the city of Asheville, along with a number of small communities in the Appalachian Mountains, struggling to pick up the pieces after flooding in areas that had hardly ever seen floods before. At the time, Trump supporters spread baseless conspiracy theories that the federal government was ignoring communities there, or only giving aid to Democratic areas, and Trump himself vowed to improve emergency management.

According to Rolling Stone, however, Trump’s administration is now denying an extension of a commitment to pay the full amount for a vital portion of the recovery process.

See above for the Rolling Stone article.

https://www.rawstory.com/fema-north-carolina

Huffington Post: Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Over Here Fighting With An AI Bot About God

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When the congresswoman posted to her personal account a list of her attributes — Christian faith foremost among them — another X user asked Grok if she really can be considered a Christian. 

The bot offered an evenhanded reply.

“Whether she’s ‘really’ a Christian is subjective, depending on personal and theological views. Her faith appears genuine to her, but public actions create controversy,” it said, in part. 

Said Marjorie:

“When people give up their own discernment, stop seeking the truth, and depend on AI to analyze information, they will be lost.”

She at least got that one right. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Another user asked Grok for a yes or no answer on whether Greene’s public comments and voting record align with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“No,” it said.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marjorie-taylor-greene-spars-with-ai-robot-grok_n_6830b84de4b0ca4a5f567f12

Alternet: ‘Peak narcissism’: Veterans blast Trump for ‘hijacking’ military holiday for his birthday

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In a post on his Truth Social platform Friday, President Donald Trump announced a parade on June 14 “to honor the United States Army’s 250th birthday.”

“I am proud to announce that we will be hosting a magnificent Parade to honor the United States Army’s 250th Birthday, on Saturday, June 14th, in Washington, D.C,” the president said in the post.

…

The Army anniversary falls on the same day as Trump’s 79th birthday, which is June 14.

Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that the plans include over 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands, and possibly a few thousand civilians.

The president’s Truth Social post sparked backlash on social media, with many saying the event would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Cancel it!

https://www.alternet.org/trump-military-parade-birthday

Sacramento Bee: More Than 80 Student Arrests at Columbia University

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Columbia University has faced major repercussions following protests by anti-Israel activists that led to over 80 student arrests. The New York Police Department responded quickly to the university’s request for assistance amid scrutiny from the federal government and substantial funding cuts under President Donald Trump. The campus atmosphere has reportedly shifted dramatically, with many students hesitant to engage in political debate.

Following the protest, students hurried through security checkpoints, avoiding expressions of opinion. Some voiced concerns about discussing sensitive topics due to potential repercussions from university authorities.

Criticism of the university’s response has emerged from within the community, with some arguing that its actions align too closely with the demands of Trump. The rapid police intervention contrasted sharply with NYPD’s previous attempts to engage with student activists.

…

Some students have expressed uncertainty about navigating academic responsibilities alongside personal beliefs. As Columbia navigates the challenges, contrasting responses from Harvard University have complicated the matter.

Harvard is setting the example. Columbia’s current administrators are a bunch of wusses sucking up to our wannabe dictator.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/more-than-80-student-arrests-at-columbia-university/ss-AA1FmOl5

CNBC: House Republican tax bill skipped ACA credits — marketplace health insurance will get pricier without them

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  • Premium tax credits under the enhanced Affordable Care Act were not included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that House Republicans passed on Thursday.
  • Without action from Congress, the subsidies are on track to expire by the end of 2025.
  • “Pretty much everyone, almost everybody who’s buying their own health insurance, now would see their costs go up,” said Cynthia Cox, vice president and director of the program on the ACA at KFF.

But the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is missing something health care advocates hoped to see: an extension of the insurance premium tax credits under the enhanced Affordable Care Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. The credits’ absence is notable as the bill includes other proposed changes to the ACA marketplace, experts say.

The ACA’s enhanced premium credits help make health insurance policies through the marketplace more affordable. Eligible applicants can use the credit to lower insurance premium costs upfront or claim the tax break when filing their return. 

Instead of a lower-income person paying 2% of their income on their premium, they pay nothing, according to KFF, a health policy research nonprofit. 

…

Without the extension, nearly all subsidized ACA enrollees can expect their monthly premiums to rise, said Cynthia Cox, vice president and director of the program on the ACA at KFF.

Yet another way to hurt the poor!

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/23/big-beautiful-tax-bill-skipped-aca-credits.html

Alternet: ‘Fake news and propaganda’: MTG erupts at Musk’s ‘non-human AI’ after it doubts her faith

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Grok – the artificial intelligence (AI) built for X owner Elon Musk’s social media platform – recently questioned whether Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was a real Christian, which was apparently a bridge too far for the far-right lawmaker.

The Daily Beast first reported on the spat between Greene and Grok, noting that it began with one X user asking Grok whether Greene was “really a Christian” in response to a tweet in which she called herself “an imperfect sinner saved by grace and faith in Jesus.” The AI told the user: “Greene’s Christian nationalism and support for conspiracy theories, like QAnon, spark debate.”

“Critics, including religious leaders, argue her actions contradict Christian values of love and unity,” Grok added, after saying “whether she’s ‘really’ a Christian is subjective.”

Poor Marjorie!

https://www.alternet.org/mtg-musk-ai

Raw Story: ‘Rubber-stamping’ Supreme Court just shot itself in the foot: analyst

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Legal experts are claiming that the U.S. Supreme Court may come to regret its emergency “shadow docket” decision allowing President Donald Trump to fire members of two federal boards — a move that was considered illegal.

Without hearing the merits of the case, the court issued its ruling Thursday that permitted Trump to fire a member of the National Labor Relations Board and a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, an agency that ensures federal employment decisions are not influenced by politics.

In a preview of Slate’s “Amicus” podcast, legal journalist Mark Joseph Stern exclaimed, “He illegally fired people, and the Supreme Court just rubber-stamped it!”

Stern explained that the 6-3 ruling along conservative and liberal lines will empower Trump “to disregard the law in areas where the Supreme Court doesn’t want him to. And eventually, when the Supreme Court tells him he can’t do something, he might just say: You’ve already given me so much power that I’m going to choose not to respect yours any further.”

…

“So, magically, this decision does not apply to Jerome Powell, who gets to remain chair of the Fed.”

Raw Story: ‘Rubber-stamping’ Supreme Court just shot itself in the foot: analyst

https://www.rawstory.com/scotus-decisions

Knewz: ‘No Coincidence’: New Report into FBI Actions on Jan. 6

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Knewz.com is reporting that FBI Director Kash Patel has announced that new information regarding the January 6 Capitol Riot will soon be made public. The incident involved the arrest of numerous Trump supporters who assaulted law enforcement and threatened public officials in Washington, DC. Investigations into the FBI’s actions during the riot have been ongoing, with US intelligence officials involved.

So let me guess — history is about to be rewritten to read the way Trump wants it to read?

Patel noted that significant information has been uncovered, particularly regarding potential involvement by undercover FBI agents during the riot. He claimed that the event has been politicized by the left. No official confirmation from Patel or the FBI verifies the claims yet.

Yup! As the tale evolves, it appears it was a left-wing (commies? Biden?) conspiracy!

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote, “It’s no coincidence that FBI Director Wray announced his resignation just prior to the release of the IG report exposing activities of FBI confidential human sources at the Capitol on Jan 6. For four years, I pressed for answers on this. Now the malfeasance is finally exposed.”

Or possibly FBI Director Wray just didn’t want to hang around and hob-nob with all the stupid people & sycophants Trump’s been planting in the Department of Justice?

FBI officials provided the Department of Justice with a list of over 5,000 agents involved in investigations related to the Capitol riot. Former President Donald Trump claims he has faced unfair prosecution by the FBI and the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden.

Please call a wambulance for King Donald.

Following Trump’s inauguration, many prosecutors handling riot-related cases have been dismissed by officials appointed by the White House at the Justice Department. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan stated, “This report confirms what we suspected. The FBI had encouraged and tasked confidential human sources to be at the Capitol that day. There were 26 total present. Four entered the Capitol and weren’t charged, which is not the same treatment that other Americans received.“

The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it! The FBI did it!

Herr Patel, please come home from the nightclub & sober up!

‘No Coincidence’: New Report into FBI Actions on Jan. 6
More for You

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/no-coincidence-new-report-into-fbi-actions-on-jan-6/ss-AA1FlNEK

Rolling Stone: Rubio Says Blocking Deportations to South Sudan Will Harm Humanitarian Aid

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As Trump guts foreign aid, his secretary of state warns a judge that blocking migrant deportations to South Sudan will harm “humanitarian efforts”

A judge ruled this week that Donald Trump’s administration violated his order barring officials from deporting people to third countries by attempting to send a group of Asian immigrants to South Sudan – and directed them to maintain custody of the immigrants at a U.S. military base.

On Friday night, Trump’s Justice Department and Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a wild new argument as they demanded Judge Brian Murphy either reconsider or pause his orders so they can appeal them. The Trump officials argued that blocking the president’s attempt to deport immigrants to war-torn South Sudan will harm efforts to distribute humanitarian aid in the region. 

That’s got to be one of their stupidest, wackiest rationales yet.

Especially considering that:

It’s a rich argument, considering that the Trump administration has gutted the government’s humanitarian efforts, starting with the elimination of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The scraps of USAID, America’s foreign aid bureau, have been folded into Rubio’s State Department.

Last month, the nonprofit aid group Save the Children reported that it had closed seven free health facilities in South Sudan as a result of foreign aid cuts. The organization told The Washington Post that the Trump administration had terminated about $13 million in funding for South Sudan. The money had come from the State Department and U.S.-funded United Nations programs.

According to Save the Children, five children with cholera and three adults died last month as they attempted to travel three hours – in 104-degree weather and with “no access to clean water, shade, or medicines” – to the organization’s nearest health facility after the aid cuts forced closures.

Illegal immigrants being deported are not your foreign policy tools to be toyed with as you please.

Rubio Says Blocking Deportations to South Sudan Will Harm Humanitarian Aid
In a court filing, Trump’s secretary of state claimed blocking migrant deportations to South Sudan will harm efforts to distribute humanitarian aid.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-rubio-south-sudan-deportations-humanitarian-aid-1235347674

Newsweek: Proposal may ban some green card holders from owning land throughout state

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King told Newsweek that “this is about protecting our obligation to keep our power stations, water treatment plants, and gas lines safe from surveillance and espionage.” It seeks to do so byprohibiting noncitizens from designated “foreign adversaries,” including China, Russia, and Iran, among others, from owning land within 25 miles of “critical infrastructure.”

Designating “foreign adversaries” would seem to be a federal power, not permitted to individual states.

The bill exempts American citizens or those with dual citizenship from the ban. The Senate counterpart bill notes that impacted individuals would have to sell and divest their property within two years.

Under the bills, county sheriffs would be responsible for enforcing the new restrictions. If the legislation passes, individuals subject to the prohibition would be required to sell restricted property within two years.

…

Xiang Zhang, a professor of genomics at the University of Cincinnati, said at a hearing on Tuesday, as reported by the South China Morning Post: “I never thought that one day, I would have to stand here in front of you to defend myself solely because of my nationality. I never thought that one day, I would lose my house in Ohio solely because of my nationality.”

Proposal may ban some green card holders from owning land throughout state
An Ohio legislative proposal aims to restrict certain property ownership.

https://www.newsweek.com/proposal-may-ban-some-green-card-holders-owning-land-2076488