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Clinton/Gingrich shutdown back in early 1990s lasted 30+ days. We survived. Since then, so many people and programs have been added to the "not affected by a shutdown" list, that it's not really a shutdown. The high viz ones like military and ATC were not, I suspect deliberately. Gets headlines/clicks. Having been through that one and numerous others, it sucks. Especially for younger troops who don't make a lot to start with and then don't live very smartly to be able to absorb life's curves. Despite the MSM's best efforts, this is a Democrat-induced wound. How many clean CR's did Shumer and company vote for in the past? This isn't a cut; it was funding at the exact same levels as last fiscal year, at least until something for the rest of this fiscal year could be hammered out. Pure theatrics, of which both sides play their roles. Trump firing 4,000 more GSs' had to have hurt (I believe a district judge halted that, but those have nearly all gone the Administration's way eventually) the Democrats who didn't think he'd do it. If this continues to drag on past the oh-so-useful "No Kings" protest this coming weekend, I expect more firings. For those government employees who decide not to show for work even without a current paycheck and it's part of your contract, bye-bye. For the uniformed, it's a bit more serious. The not so much discussed flip side and hugely precedent setting, IMO, is Trump paying troops for the next pay period from non-personnel accounts in DoD. Allocating funds is a strictly Congressional role and they are content to let Trump abrogate that role because the optics would look bad to sue to not pay troops. All fun and games until the next time somebody decides to move money arbitrarily.

Trump begins mass layoffs of federal workers amid government shutdown

One ping only, Dmitri... (is all it takes).

So, one guy who has never run a large legal office, federal or state, says the head of the DOJ is unqualified. But that same head of DOJ has run a state DOJ, which is pretty substantial. Las head of DOJ was quite the liberal lawyer, but had never actually run anything. How'd that turn out? I also am unaware when the last time a sitting head of DOJ argued a case. That's what minions are for. In the end, only one opinion matters. The guy we elected by a fairly large margin chose her. Gnash your teeth all you want, but that's the reality. Until or if he changes his mind. That whole "serving at the pleasure of the President" gotcha thing.

Navy fires commanding officer of USS Wyoming

DOJ dropped the ball on not having a perp walk for Comey. Was satisfying seeing the mugshot. Now, let's see this hippo get perped walked and a mugshot. New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James indicted on fraud charge, source says

Certainly not a perfect record, but overall, I voted for this: Illegal border crossings drop to lowest level since 1970: ‘Most secure border in American history’ Kash Patel says FBI agents fired over monitoring GOP senators Trump's DC police takeover: What the crime stats show National Guard Exceeds 2025 Recruiting Goals | American Military News Comey pleads not guilty in court after indictment on alleged false statements, obstruction As to non-citizens serving in the Guard and how they feel about helping ICE, while I certainly can't know, I imagine most of them feel like those immigrants who came here the legal way - make the illegals earn their entrance. Dude who enlisted is paying his dues to get his citizenship. Why should someone else get a free ride?

And? One other point; nothing says sincerity/seriousness like the face-to-face interaction. Rather reinforces the point of the new sheriff in town operates differently so get on board or get out. Also, generals work for SECDEF & POTUS. If those offices chose to call generals in, said generals respond with "yes, sir." Pretty standard, I'd say. A maybe conspiracy thing is that this meeting was a cover for another purpose regarding upcoming actions.

I simply thank my God that there is someone to be my moral and wisdom mentor posting here. Also: US Special Operations Command general retires As he's been there since 2022, simply a routine retirement. But still another one gone.

Two. Very disappointed there weren't two lines - one for those returning to their jobs and one for those retiring. However, good speech by Hegseth, certainly not sugar-coated political correctness. Also, despite the non-culling of the herd, still like the idea of various minor princes(ess') being returned to the mother ship and seeing that they are not special; that there's actually a bunch of them. And that here are the direct, to your face, expectations. Hope the coming fat and PT tests start taking out the hippos. added: Air Force Downgrading USAFE Commander Job to 3 Stars Not a firing but certainly a loss of bloat.

800 GOFOs? WTactualF...time for a large culling of the herd. Random thoughts: 1. The number of straphangers/peppergrinders that will also travel is going to be stunning. Aide(s), security details, comm teams, CAG directors or equivalants, etc, etc, etc. Pretty big airlift right there. And imagine finance having to deal with this during a government shutdown. Oh, the wailing and gnashing of teeth will be glorious... 2. Spare a thought for the 800 execs/aides/CAG directors, etc who are being mercilessly squeezed right now to find out WTF? Will bros in SECDEF/(SECWAR?) leak and take the risk? Somebody will undoubtedly, whether uniform or civilian. But the hours spent thrashing will also be glorious...pretty sure all business at 4-star places will this 24/7 to cover every possible contingency ("Prep a brief/note cards/talking points on XYZ x 1 million") Think of the wasted electrons... 3. NGB was told to chop GO billets as well. Wonder if the administration will target only certain states?

1. 2. 3. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...deep intake of breath....HAHAHAHAHAHAH

Much obliged, thank you.

So how does the Fed's .25% rate drop yesterday affect new/refinance VA loans? And, if they go another .50% over the rest of 2025, is it possible to extrapolate the new rates?

To be fair, the sound probably originated from the literary agent, not the SEALS themselves...