Off topic. WAPO - "The Washington Post reported Tuesday night that the Trump administration, “has instructed federal health agencies to pause all external communications, such as health advisories, weekly scientific reports, updates to websites and social media posts.” The announcement impacts the NIH, as well as the FDA, CDC and HHS".
I'm a nurse for over 30 years and public health nurse too and to have a government that forbids our Centers for Disease Control CDC from collecting and collating and publishing CDC's Weekly Morbidity and Mortality report that captures and reports the weekly numbers of infections and deaths due to all "reportable infectious illnesses", by state. What a shame to loose this level of oversight of infectious threats because 34 Bro's want money not facts. Peace We are in this together.
NIH oncology and infectious disease funding is shut down also. It wasn't enough the R's and Elon removed this funding from the last bill. We need to press on product boycotts, no elimination of the debt ceiling because the orange one is driving our economy down. He is shutting down communication in large ways. Mortgage tax credits and the no tax on tips is dead. Did you all hear that if your company feeds you or provides gym access it is considered income to you? The project 2025 folks are driving the boat and they are planning on pushing everyone off except christian nationalists (they will keep women only to breed)
I agree but the younger generation doesn't read. They want short videos for everything while I'd just rather read the information in a page or two. Ironically, someone on Bluesky complained that the videos were not 'entertaining' enough as if every learning experience or exchange of information has to be entertaining. I'm starting to feel like an old person talking about 'the kids'. ;)
You have a choice. Don't watch the podcast or read the transcript. Just because you pay for the content, it does not give you the right to dictate the form of the content.
Am here for the facts, whether they come in written or podcast form. For many of us It is helpful to see those who are collecting the facts and hear the their spoken word and conversation. The mix of written and visual/oral allows diversity in sourcing the news.
I assume you are one of those people who reads every article in the newspaper. The Contrarian will garner a larger audience with a wider presentation. Therefore, only consume those articles, interviews, or podcasts that interest you and leave the rest for others.
Executive orders are the weakest form of law in that, as Jennifer, Norm and Robert point out they do not take effect immediately and can be blocked in the courts to the extent they violate legislation or the Constitution.
The take-aways are fairly clear:
1. This is an attempt to cow people into surrender by sheer force of the numbers of orders issued and the expansive area they purport to cover; and
2. They know that can't get any of it through Congress, or they would pursue that path and make laws that are much harder to deal with. Their position is weak, and they know it.
As serious as these matters are, there is clearly an element of entertainment for the MAGA masses involved. Why else do something as doltish as attempting to rename the Gulf of Mexico by fiat?
The "emergency" language may make Trump a "unitary executive."
Here's what happened to some cases that were within my former jurisdiction. "On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued a broad executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the “Order”), which among other things, rescinds Executive Order (“EO”) 11246. EO 11246 is the underpinning for government contractor race and sex affirmative action program requirements. The order also instructs OFCCP to immediately cease:
(A) Promoting “diversity”; (B) Holding Federal contractors and subcontractors responsible for taking “affirmative action”; and (C) Allowing or encouraging Federal contractors and subcontractors to engage in workforce balancing based on race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.
In line with other actions taken with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives, President Trump’s executive order also instructs agency heads to “include in every contractor or grant award” a term requiring the contractor/grantee to “certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”
I wonder whether other DOL entities are gone? We handled many other types of cases that had aspects of discriminaion. How about HIB visas?
Could you please have transcripts or fewer interviews. Many of us don’t have time to listen. We appreciate the effort but want to read. My feedback from the gift subscriptions I’ve sent out is no one is listening.
READ THE TRANSCRIPT. It's the button below the screen that says transcript. If that is too difficult, then don't watch the podcast.
Thank you Contrarian for doing all you can to communicate your thoughts and ideas to your paying subscribers! I appreciate your desire to communicate in as many ways as possible. Best Substack, ever!!
Are you using the app? If you are, you may want to try it without the app. Although I typically read substack on my laptop, I am not currently doing so. I am now on my Android, signed in, although NOT using the app, and I see the transcript button directly below the video.
Not being snarky here... I would suggest not using the app. Although I typically read substack on my laptop, I am not currently doing so. I am now on my Android, signed in, although NOT using the app, and I see the transcript button directly below the video.
I don’t know whether my request is inside the scope of The Contrarian, or whether it should be addressed to the developers of the Substack application itself. It is an annoyance. I can read anytime. I cannot always listen. Substack is primarily a site for writers, though, so my expectation for the Contrarian is that it provide an option for reading the interviews. At a minimum, the Contrarian folks can copy and paste the transcript available on the Web version into the body of the article. Again, I expect a text-based copy to be available as this is what I am subscribing for. Thanks, though.
I second this. I really do not have time or bandwidth to watch a lot of videos but can much more quickly scan the text or narrative of these and would so appreciate having that feature if possible
So if a suit is brought against a cabal masquerading as an advisory committee, then the committee cannot meet/make recommendations/function until the legal action has been resolved? Please clarify what this suit accomplishes in the present, not only what the litigants hope it will do in the future.
I was involved with the Grace Commission, "Reinventing Government" and other similar initiatives. I have a cause, saving the trust funds without legislation via charitable deductions. There have been times when ACUS was defunded and was completely out of action. Most of the outsiders, including people appointed to advisory boards have a half assed notion how to find the restroom, let alone how government works.
I appreciate the podcasts very much. It is wonderful to hear your voices. It is very helpful in these times to have both written news and audio. Thank you for doing this. I'm so impressed with how much you provide.
Does this remind anybody else of Dick Cheney's Energy Task Force during the Bush administration? The GAO investigation of that 'advisory committee' concluded that "these members held ten meetings over the course of three and a half months with petroleum, coal, nuclear, natural gas, and electricity industry representatives and lobbyists. None of the meetings were open to the public and no non-federal participants were involved."
As far as I know the companies and executives from oil and gas companies were never made public and an appeals court ruled it could stay that way. Are we seeing a repeat here, but on a larger, more corrupt scale?
Republican modus operandi is to operate in the dark with the fat cats in America. They have been doing it for 40 years and they have reaped the benefits of kowtowing to these wealthy oligarchs. For the longest time, we assumed the Democrats and the legacy media would be fighting the good fight to hold these people accountable. But guess what? It didn't happen. Now we need to dig in and beat these bastards at their own game.
Jen, Norm,
Off topic. WAPO - "The Washington Post reported Tuesday night that the Trump administration, “has instructed federal health agencies to pause all external communications, such as health advisories, weekly scientific reports, updates to websites and social media posts.” The announcement impacts the NIH, as well as the FDA, CDC and HHS".
I'm a nurse for over 30 years and public health nurse too and to have a government that forbids our Centers for Disease Control CDC from collecting and collating and publishing CDC's Weekly Morbidity and Mortality report that captures and reports the weekly numbers of infections and deaths due to all "reportable infectious illnesses", by state. What a shame to loose this level of oversight of infectious threats because 34 Bro's want money not facts. Peace We are in this together.
Do you know if these agencies are pushing back at all?
Surely you jest!
NIH oncology and infectious disease funding is shut down also. It wasn't enough the R's and Elon removed this funding from the last bill. We need to press on product boycotts, no elimination of the debt ceiling because the orange one is driving our economy down. He is shutting down communication in large ways. Mortgage tax credits and the no tax on tips is dead. Did you all hear that if your company feeds you or provides gym access it is considered income to you? The project 2025 folks are driving the boat and they are planning on pushing everyone off except christian nationalists (they will keep women only to breed)
Please FEWER podcasts. We’re mostly here to read. Please consider reducing an overwhelming number of podcasts in favor of written posts. Thank you.
I find the podcasts keep me feeling connected in these dark times. I appreciate them a lot. Adds a layer of authenticity and humanness.
I love the podcasts! Just sayin’😉💕
I appreciate the podcasts
I agree.
I agree but the younger generation doesn't read. They want short videos for everything while I'd just rather read the information in a page or two. Ironically, someone on Bluesky complained that the videos were not 'entertaining' enough as if every learning experience or exchange of information has to be entertaining. I'm starting to feel like an old person talking about 'the kids'. ;)
lol! I enjoy both. I like the podcasts because I can put a face to the words. Sometimes I read the story (if possible) then watch the podcast after.
it would be great to have the podcast printed as well
Easy to do and each of us can choose to read or listen. Thanks, Doc
You have a choice. Don't watch the podcast or read the transcript. Just because you pay for the content, it does not give you the right to dictate the form of the content.
I don't think anyone is dictating, just stating preference
Am here for the facts, whether they come in written or podcast form. For many of us It is helpful to see those who are collecting the facts and hear the their spoken word and conversation. The mix of written and visual/oral allows diversity in sourcing the news.
I love the podcasts. Skip them if you don't like them since not everyone is you. 😉
Yes, more writing fewer podcasts. They are too slow.
I like the podcasts and the written posts. The podcasts give me a chance to stay involved when I'm moving around and unable to read the posts.
I assume you are one of those people who reads every article in the newspaper. The Contrarian will garner a larger audience with a wider presentation. Therefore, only consume those articles, interviews, or podcasts that interest you and leave the rest for others.
Executive orders are the weakest form of law in that, as Jennifer, Norm and Robert point out they do not take effect immediately and can be blocked in the courts to the extent they violate legislation or the Constitution.
The take-aways are fairly clear:
1. This is an attempt to cow people into surrender by sheer force of the numbers of orders issued and the expansive area they purport to cover; and
2. They know that can't get any of it through Congress, or they would pursue that path and make laws that are much harder to deal with. Their position is weak, and they know it.
As serious as these matters are, there is clearly an element of entertainment for the MAGA masses involved. Why else do something as doltish as attempting to rename the Gulf of Mexico by fiat?
The "emergency" language may make Trump a "unitary executive."
Here's what happened to some cases that were within my former jurisdiction. "On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued a broad executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the “Order”), which among other things, rescinds Executive Order (“EO”) 11246. EO 11246 is the underpinning for government contractor race and sex affirmative action program requirements. The order also instructs OFCCP to immediately cease:
(A) Promoting “diversity”; (B) Holding Federal contractors and subcontractors responsible for taking “affirmative action”; and (C) Allowing or encouraging Federal contractors and subcontractors to engage in workforce balancing based on race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.
In line with other actions taken with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives, President Trump’s executive order also instructs agency heads to “include in every contractor or grant award” a term requiring the contractor/grantee to “certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”
I wonder whether other DOL entities are gone? We handled many other types of cases that had aspects of discriminaion. How about HIB visas?
Could you please have transcripts or fewer interviews. Many of us don’t have time to listen. We appreciate the effort but want to read. My feedback from the gift subscriptions I’ve sent out is no one is listening.
The transcript button is below the the title of the video between the "Share" and the "..." buttons.
Thank you so much for that.
I listen…in fact, sometimes prefer it.
Me, too.
READ THE TRANSCRIPT. It's the button below the screen that says transcript. If that is too difficult, then don't watch the podcast.
Thank you Contrarian for doing all you can to communicate your thoughts and ideas to your paying subscribers! I appreciate your desire to communicate in as many ways as possible. Best Substack, ever!!
No button on iPhone.
Are you using the app? If you are, you may want to try it without the app. Although I typically read substack on my laptop, I am not currently doing so. I am now on my Android, signed in, although NOT using the app, and I see the transcript button directly below the video.
There is no transcript when you’re using the app.
Not being snarky here... I would suggest not using the app. Although I typically read substack on my laptop, I am not currently doing so. I am now on my Android, signed in, although NOT using the app, and I see the transcript button directly below the video.
I don’t know whether my request is inside the scope of The Contrarian, or whether it should be addressed to the developers of the Substack application itself. It is an annoyance. I can read anytime. I cannot always listen. Substack is primarily a site for writers, though, so my expectation for the Contrarian is that it provide an option for reading the interviews. At a minimum, the Contrarian folks can copy and paste the transcript available on the Web version into the body of the article. Again, I expect a text-based copy to be available as this is what I am subscribing for. Thanks, though.
I second this. I really do not have time or bandwidth to watch a lot of videos but can much more quickly scan the text or narrative of these and would so appreciate having that feature if possible
Me too. I read faster than most people speak.
I'm Listening! Don't assume you can speak for everyone!
Vivek thought Eloon was going to take direction from a brown person. 😂😂😂
At first I thought Eloon was a typo. Duh! Did you happen to see last week's New Yorker cover, by the great Barry Blitt, in which Eloon is prominent?
After the Nazi salute? Uh, no.
They just think they are above it all...They think no rules, laws, etc. apply to them. Thanks for calling them out and hopefully keep them inline.
Thank you for updating us and fighting for us!
Wow, another expert!! Wonderful to hear more people taking action against the cesspool: sensible, planned, and even legal. Thank you for your efforts!
Robert Weissman and all of you who are fighting for us give me hope. Thank you.
The Contrarian has become my lifeline from day one of its inception. THANK YOU
Mine, too. You have no idea how important what you are sharing is to the public! Thank you.
It's really good to know there are people on top of Trump's illegal and secretive maneuvers. Thank you
So if a suit is brought against a cabal masquerading as an advisory committee, then the committee cannot meet/make recommendations/function until the legal action has been resolved? Please clarify what this suit accomplishes in the present, not only what the litigants hope it will do in the future.
Quo vadis ACUS? https://www.acus.gov/
I was involved with the Grace Commission, "Reinventing Government" and other similar initiatives. I have a cause, saving the trust funds without legislation via charitable deductions. There have been times when ACUS was defunded and was completely out of action. Most of the outsiders, including people appointed to advisory boards have a half assed notion how to find the restroom, let alone how government works.
I appreciate the podcasts very much. It is wonderful to hear your voices. It is very helpful in these times to have both written news and audio. Thank you for doing this. I'm so impressed with how much you provide.
Keep calling out the bullshit. Thank you.
Does this remind anybody else of Dick Cheney's Energy Task Force during the Bush administration? The GAO investigation of that 'advisory committee' concluded that "these members held ten meetings over the course of three and a half months with petroleum, coal, nuclear, natural gas, and electricity industry representatives and lobbyists. None of the meetings were open to the public and no non-federal participants were involved."
As far as I know the companies and executives from oil and gas companies were never made public and an appeals court ruled it could stay that way. Are we seeing a repeat here, but on a larger, more corrupt scale?
Republican modus operandi is to operate in the dark with the fat cats in America. They have been doing it for 40 years and they have reaped the benefits of kowtowing to these wealthy oligarchs. For the longest time, we assumed the Democrats and the legacy media would be fighting the good fight to hold these people accountable. But guess what? It didn't happen. Now we need to dig in and beat these bastards at their own game.
I remember! It was a violation that was let pass.
Absolutely. Cheney was given a total pass for violating federal reporting requirements.
I'm 75 and immunocompromised. I rely on CDC reports to stay healthy. What do we lose next? Weather reports from NOAA?