Cancel culture anyone? I’m remembering the furor over refugee resettlement and Goodhue County’s requirement to address refugee resettlement due to Trump’s Executive Order 13888. What a mess that was, and the ugliness was unreal. The county did do the right thing then, that’s good news, and that’s 5 years ago.

• Refugee Resettlement in Goodhue County  January 6th, 2020

• Goodhue County consents to continue to accept refugees  January 8th, 2020

And now, the above. Attorney General Keith Ellison was to speak, and apparently some parents loudly objected, though it’s not clear, so I’ve sent in a Data Practices Act Request to learn exactly what triggered this response:

If the School District did cancel in response to threats, that only encourages them to keep on threatening, so I hope it was not that. AND if there were threats, those should be prominently published.

I’d like to see this event rescheduled, and if there were objections, to send engraved invitations via mail, and a letter to all of them by name published in the paper, inviting any objectors to attend. If there were threats, objections, that should not be swept under the rug.

In the meantime, from A.G. Ellison’s page, there are forums scheduled in March:

PROTECTING MINNESOTA COMMUNITY FORUMS

March 6: Golden Valley – 7:00-8:30 PM

• Topic: Executive Overreach
• RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/g/GHve4NscFw

March 13: Minneapolis – 7:00-8:30 PM

• Topic: Immigration
• RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/g/R1XXc1Pein

March 15: Rochester – time and location TBD

• With: Sen. Liz Boldon
• RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/g/trE6e6zWJ9

March 20: Westside Saint Paul – 6:00-7:30 PM

• Topic: Executive Overreach
• RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/g/bKnBHxSS4B

Soon to be added: stops in Rochester and Moorhead

Be sure to RSVP today, share with your community, and make your voice heard!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WE MUST STAND UP!

JUST SAY NO TO THREATS AND EXTORTION!

Minnesota under threat after Trump Justice Department sues ‘sanctuary’ states Illinois and New York

Read it… just read it:

H. CON. RES. 14

The Committee Report

Here’s the Congressional Record with some discussion of the bill:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025; Congressional Record Vol. 171, No. 37 (House – February 25, 2025)

Really, take some time and read it, get an idea of what’s in store if this passes. THEN, call your U.S. House Representative and convey your thoughts and feelings in technicolor:

WHO REPRESENTS ME IN THE U.S. HOUSE

What went down in the prior Trump administration? SEVERE changes to USPS:

USPS to reverse service changes October 15th, 2020

Bye bye, DeJoy!

It’s just wrong. Zelyenskyy a DICTATOR? Ukraine shouldn’t have started the war? Spoken by Trump, his agents, repeat and repeat — that does not make these lies true. What I’m seeing and hearing of this administration’s position on Ukraine, slamming Zelyenskyy, and supporting Putin and mouthing his words, it’s disgusting beyond belief.

Try reaching Department of Defense — the contact form does not work, there’s no “captcha” but it says my “captcha” was wrong, try again! Try finding a phone number — from PR, got this: (703) 697-5131 and left a message. Dept. of State was a little easier, (202) 647-6575, or secretary@state.gov So these, in addition to “our” Representatives and Senators, right? And the White House — got through to a recording on Comment line today — but only when connected by the Switchboard: 202-456-1414 so try that first (the Comment line, 202-456-1111 still is not working).

Trump echoes Russia as he upends US position on Ukraine

Trump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Trump aide tells Zelenskyy to ‘tone it down’ as US envoy cancels Kyiv press conference – Europe live

Extortion much? Access to Ukraine’s minerals??

Trump’s latest broadside against Zelensky came after the Ukrainian leader publicly rejected an American bid to gain access to – and profits from – Ukrainian minerals. Also from the BBC:

“That’s not a serious conversation,” Zelensky said. “I can’t sell our state.”

BBC News; Kyiv needs to rein in criticism of US, White House security adviser says

White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz says Ukraine needs to rein in its criticism of the US, as Washington tries to secure a peace deal to end the war.

“It’s unacceptable, they [Ukraine] need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal,” he tells Fox News. The deal he is referring to is a push by Donald Trump for access to rare minerals in Ukraine in return for aid, or even as compensation for the support the US has already provided.

“We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible, and a historic opportunity,” the adviser says, adding that it would be “sustainable” and “the best” security guarantee they could hope for.

Zelensky has publicly rejected an American bid to gain access to – and profit from – Ukrainian minerals, saying: “I can’t sell our state.”

But he says that the two countries can reconcile their differences.

Check out “The Order of the Day,” by Eric Vuillard (many affordable options at abebooks.com):

Trump’s extortion, Ukraine’s minerals for US support, is right out of Hitler’s playbook. In “The Order of the Day, there’s a similar scene of extortion where the head of Austria was invited to meet with Hitler, and Hitler “offered” not to invade Austria if Hitler’s minions were put in major offices in Austria. He stalled, hemmed and hawed, under extreme pressure of Goebbels & crew, and ultimately “agreed.” Shortly afterward, Hitler “invaded” though the “invasion” was a slo-mo attack of broken down tanks, and not exactly a show of military strength.

Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US and Europe in CPAC speech

US vice-president also reaffirmed the administration’s Ukraine stance at largest conservative voters conference

And Vance’s rant on Twit

When you click on this, compare the url with the headline, “Fired” v. “Dismissed.” Fired seems most accurate:

Fired Nuclear Bomb Specialists Recalled by Energy Department

They’re trying to round up those employees, but get real, who would want to come back to work in those circumstances? Get a grip. From the article:

The agency’s quick reversal was announced Friday in an all-staff meeting. The NNSA is seeking to recall the workers because they deal with sensitive national security secrets, according to the people, who weren’t authorized to talk about the matter, which is not public.

Those cuts are especially concerning because the positions typically require high-level security clearances and training that can take 18 months or longer, said Jill Hruby, who served as the NNSA administrator during the Biden administration.

“These people are likely never going to come back and work for the government,” Hruby said in a phone interview. “We’ve had a very active program requiring an increase to our staff so the indiscriminate layoffs of people will be really difficult for the coming years.”

And as if that isn’t bad enough, more nuclear news:

Fed workers in Tri-Cities lose jobs in 1st round of federal layoffs. Nuclear site impacted

Haphazardness of federal layoffs causes concern with Sen. Murray, Public Power Council

And from that article:

“This administration is sending (Elon) Musk into agencies he knows nothing about, randomly telling people they’ve lost their jobs,” Murray claimed. “This will impact the safety and security of people across our country.”

Firings were ‘indiscriminate,’ says Sen. Patty Murray

Murray called the layoffs “indiscriminate,” saying that none were based on competence or performance.

“We are losing some of our best and brightest researchers, scientists, and cybersecurity experts,” the senator added. “This is not how you ensure your country’s security.”