Winner's Swamp and Surfing in Gaza 02/08/25

[JohnUbele]

'Hitting a fly with a sledgehammer': Judge blocks DOGE from accessing sensitive Social Security records

"...The Department of Government Efficiency approach's to identifying fraud at the Social Security Administration "is tantamount to hitting a fly with a sledgehammer", a federal judge said Thursday, blocking DOGE's unlimited access to sensitive agency data.

In a 137-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander wrote the Trump administration never justified the need to access the data - which they argued was vital to identifying alleged fraud - and likely violated multiple federal laws in doing so..."

Source:
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/hit ... =120002248

[JohnUbele]

Telsa attacks mark a surreal twist in political violence as Musk divides America

"..."We have a continuum of activity, some of which we rightfully tolerate, such as boisterous and passionate protests", said Brian Levin, a professor emeritus at Cal State San Bernardino and an expert on extremism.

"But now we’re getting to another level of this kind of directed arson and violence, which, to be sure, has an intimidation effect"..."

Source:
https://www.latimes.com/california/stor ... -terrorism

[JohnUbele]

Source:
https://www.flyingpenguin.com/?p=68672

[JohnUbele]

What's happening on April 5th 2025? What is the 'Hands Off' protest, what are they protesting about - and where is it taking place
https://www.nationalworld.com/us/whats- ... ng-5054729

[JohnUbele]

"...Over 1,000 anti-Trump protests, both big and small, are scheduled across America Saturday..."

Source:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol ... 708910007/

[JohnUbele]

Trump tariffs spark US government debt sell-off

"...Confidence in the US economy is plummeting as investors dumped government debt amid growing concerns over the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs.

Governments sell bonds - essentially an IOU - to raise money from financial markets for public spending and in return they pay interest.

The US does not normally see high interest rates on its debt as its bonds are viewed as a safe investment, but on Wednesday rates spiked sharply to touch 4.5%..."

Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yrr0e7499o.amp

[JohnUbele]

Source:
https://goldprice.org/

[JohnUbele]

Johnson City protest calls for action on social security, economy, and hunger issues

"...JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Another group of protesters gathered in Johnson City on Saturday for the People’s Power Protest.

The event was held on People’s Street.

It included more than 15 organizations with the goal of bringing awareness to issues at the state and federal level..."

Source:
https://wcyb.com/news/local/johnson-cit ... ger-issues

[JohnUbele]

Anti-Trump sentiments mounting? Massive protests planned in 50 US states and over 11 million expected to take part

"...On April 5, crowds of protestors gathered in cities across the United States to denounce President Donald Trump, in the largest nationwide show of opposition since the president took office in January. Now, a group who took part in the major "Hands Off!" protests against Trump have organized another day of action.

According to NewsWeek, the 50501 group is prompting nationwide protests in all 50 US states on the same day against the Trump administration on April 19..."

Source:
https://m.economictimes.com/news/intern ... 128509.cms

[JohnUbele]

Trump wants to halve State Dept budget, slash foreign aid 75%

"...President Donald Trump's administration wants to halve the State Department budget, cutting more than $30 billion, in fiscal 2026, four U.S. officials familiar with the plan said on Monday - a massive reduction that could see nearly 30 U.S. missions shut and foreign aid slashed by nearly 75%.

The sources said the cuts are outlined in a response by the White House budget office - the Office of Management and Budget - to funding requests submitted by the State Department for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1..."

Source:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/pol ... 087292007/