MSN: Trump administration estimates Iran war cost at over $11 billion in six days, source says.
AP/Reuters: Pentagon says first week of Iran war cost the US $11.3 billion.
As a rule of thumb, when I hear the government (fed, state, local) giving us a cost estimate; I immediately double the amount. A bit later I triple it.
"PRINT THAT FIAT!"
"Don't forget the usury!"
Despite a deadlock over funding for the agency, lawmakers left town and left Democratic and White House negotiators to try to work out a deal in their absence.[.]The Capitol emptied out on Thursday, a full day before the midnight Friday deadline for funding the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers who were deadlocked over new restrictions on immigration officers jetted off to Munich for a security conference or headed home for a weeklong recess, seemingly unconcerned with the looming closure. It was a jarring change from the past, when lawmakers were reluctant to seem like they were giving up for even a moment before time ran out for a deal.
"We can't do our job, we can't agree to anything (except when it's giving away U.S. money to Ukraine and Israel), so we're taking a week long recess."
Put your profession in their place: "I can't to my job so I'm going to take a week's long recess and still get paid." How long would your employer tolerate this?
Congress is worthless.
Find out HERE.
Once there, navigate on the right, select your State or City and find out what that money would do for YOU.
A federal agency this spring will convene government officials, forensics experts, academics, industry representatives, law enforcement and standards organizations for what it describes as “an open and candid discussion” about “the path forward to realize meaningful cannabis breathalyzer technology and implementation.”The two-day event, hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is scheduled to be held in Boulder, Colorado, on April 16 and 17.[.]Unlike with alcohol, there’s currently no widely accepted field test to determine whether someone is under the influence of marijuana.In 2023, a federally funded report by researchers at NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder concluded that evidence does “not support the idea that detecting THC in breath as a single measurement could reliably indicate recent cannabis use.”“A lot more research is needed to show that a cannabis breathalyzer can produce useful results,” Kavita Jeerage, a NIST materials research engineer and co-author of the report, said at the time. “A breathalyzer test can have a huge impact on a person’s life, so people should have confidence that the results are accurate.”More recently, a U.S. Department of Justice researcher cast doubt on whether a person’s THC levels are even a reliable indicator of impairment.States may need to “get away from that idea,” Frances Scott, a physical scientist at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences under DOJ, said on a podcast early last year.Scott questioned the efficacy of setting “per se” THC limits for driving that some states have enacted, making it so a person can be charged with driving while impaired based on the concentration of cannabis components in their system. Ultimately, there may not be a way to assess impairment from THC like we do for alcohol, she said.One complication is that “if you have chronic users versus infrequent users, they have very different concentrations correlated to different effects,” Scott said. “So the same effect level, if you will, will be correlated with a very different concentration of THC in the blood of a chronic user versus an infrequent user.”That issue was also examined in a federally funded study last year that identified two different methods of more accurately testing for recent THC use that accounts for the fact that metabolites of the cannabinoid can stay present in a person’s system for weeks or months after consumption.
[.]
“The consensus is that there is no linear relationship of blood THC to driving,” [a study preprint posted on The Lancet by an eight-author team representing Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Health Canada and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia identified and assessed a dozen peer-reviewed studies concluded]. “This is surprising given that blood THC is used to detect cannabis-impaired driving.”
Most states where cannabis is legal measure THC intoxication by whether or not someone’s blood THC levels are below a certain cutoff. The study’s findings suggest that relying on blood levels alone may not accurately reflect whether someone’s driving is impaired.
“Of the 12 papers included in the present review,” authors wrote, “ten found no correlation between blood THC and any measure of driving, including [standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP)], speed, car following, reaction time, or overall driving performance.
[.]
Evan [sic] as far back as 2015, a U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that it’s “difficult to establish a relationship between a person’s THC blood or plasma concentration and performance impairing effects,” adding that “it is inadvisable to try and predict effects based on blood THC concentrations alone.”
In a separate report last year, NHTSA said there’s “relatively little research” backing the idea that THC concentration in the blood can be used to determine impairment, again calling into question laws in several states that set “per se” limits for cannabinoid metabolites.
With added Sarcastic commentary.
Breitbart: Pentagon Reveals It Actually Has 2,000 Troops in Syria, Not 900.
The Pentagon on Thursday admitted there are actually 2,000 American troops in Syria, not the 900 it previously said were in the country.
[.]
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder characterized the higher troop count as a “surprise” — without clarifying if Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin or President Joe Biden knew there were 2,000, not 900 U.S. troops in Syria.
Ryder said at a briefing Thursday:
As you know, we have been briefing you regularly that there are approximately 900 U.S. troops deployed to Syria. In light of the situation in Syria and the significant interest, we recently learned that those numbers were higher, and so asked to look into it, I learned today that in fact there are approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria.
"We recently learned..." Yeah. Sure. What else is this administration not telling us? The Pentagon Press Sec is, "surprised" upon learning the number of U.S. troops is higher than he thought, or was told, or he's plain lying. What does Lloyd Autism or Herr Biden have to say about this?
- - -
Breitbart: Transgender Drug lord series moves closer to Oscar nomination.
It would be an Oscar cinch had the writers created the character as also being disabled and confined to a wheelchair. (No, I'm not poking fun at the disabled or those in wheelchairs. If that's your take-away, you are terminally sarcasm-impaired.)
- - -
BBC: US scraps $10m bounty for arrest of Syria's new leader Sharaa.
The US has scrapped a $10m (£7.9m) reward for the arrest of Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, following meetings between senior diplomats and representatives from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf said the discussion with Sharaa was "very productive", and he came across as "pragmatic".
Someone considered a terrorist by both U.S. and Israel is now their best Fren. What a cohencidence. What are the odds the U.S and Israel find a terrorist who is,"very productive and pragmatic." It'll all work out for the best, no doubt.
- - -
Time: COVID-19 Rates Are Strangely Low This Holiday Season.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no! How will the Mask-wearing Branch Covidians cope?
- - -
RT: US spent $9 million on ‘anal prints’ and on giving puppies cocaine – DOGE.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has published a list of unusual programs funded by the federal government.
[.]
[...]$6.97 million has been spent on studying ‘smart toilets’ that recognize the user’s ‘anal print,’ while $2.3 million went into studies on injecting dogs with cocaine. Some $118,000 was reportedly dedicated to studying whether a metal replica robot of Marvel Comics’ Thanos could snap his fingers, and $75,000 was given in grants on a Harvard study on lizards being blown off trees with leaf blowers.
Your Smart Toilet: "I recognize that ass."
Why inject cocaine into poor dogs when I'm sure there are plenty of humans who would happily volunteer as lab rats? 🤣
You've entered...
Oh Sweet Jesus, Thank you! How perfect! 🤣
At ~ .19 seconds.
100 Percent Fed Up: ➡ The RINOs Who Voted YES On Ukraine Aid.
"Eyepatch McCain" is on the list, surprising no one.
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Goes to Senate where the UniParty will slobber all over it, drooling anxiously to vote "YES!"
Aren't there any options a handful of Republicans can do to kill this bill? When Democrats are the minority, they manage to pull-out ancient procedural BS to kill, delay or reduce bills by the Republicans.
Zero Hedge: House Passes $95 Billion Aid Package For Ukraine, Israel And Taiwan - But Not US Border.
In total, the foreign assistance package totals $95 billion - which only passed after Speaker Mike Johnson cut a deal with Democrats in order to force it through by a vote of 311 to 112.
Breitbart: Betrayal Complete: Mike Johnson Passes $61 Billion Ukraine Aid, Violates Hastert Rule Again.
Breitbart: Ukraine’s Zelensky ‘Personally’ Thanks Mike Johnson for $61 Billion Gift from U.S. Taxpayers.
"Gift..."
NPR: House approves sell-or-be-banned TikTok measure, attaching it to foreign aid bill.
100 Percent Fed Up: Tucker Carlson: “Weak people just become a host for evil… And that’s exactly what’s happening to Mike Johnson.”
This video is, purportedly, what current (recent) life is like in war torn Ukraine.
The $95B aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will pass, imho. It shouldn't, but it will.
With cucks like Johnson, dems, RINOs and the UniParty - how can it fail? When was the last time the U.S. government gifted the American people with over $200 Billion? (... checking notes ...) ... N E V E R.
"Muh Ukraine! Muh Israel! Muh Taiwan!"
"Biblical admonition", my ass.
IF you're writing a check to Uncle Sam or to your state today, remember that thousands of illegals - many who may dislike you a lot - along with liberals, the UniParty, rinos, Neocons, many foreign governments - especially Ukraine and Israel - Bill Gates, Klaus, Soros, the Rothschilds, Big Pharma, the Globalist Industrial Complex, Blackrock, Raytheon and the rest of the Military Industrial Complex (MIC) really appreciate you working hard so they can continue their grift and schemes that depend on our/your money. Their "Thank You" card is in the mail.
The Guardian: Mitch McConnell calls for Congress to take action on supplemental bill that includes aid for Israel and Ukraine.
Spending like this is unsustainable. Financial collapse incoming.
FOX Business: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen: 'I regret' saying inflation was transitory.
Oh. The Yale-educated economics expert and Harvard professor with a Masters and PhD regrets saying this. Well, it's time to forget what she said, right?
Biden was asked about the debt ceiling:
Why isn't The Diaper King wearing his wedding ring? Did he lose it? Did he eat it? Something amiss in his wedded bliss with Tamale Jill? 🤔
The Herd of RINOs Voting Yes (18) : Senators Blunt, Boozman, Capito, Collins, Cornyn, Cotton, Graham, Inhofe, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Portman, Romney, Rounds, Shelby, Thune, Wicker & Young.
Not Voting and Couldn't Care Less (3): Barrasso, Burr & Cramer.
Breitbart: $1.7 Trillion, 4,155-Page Omnibus Bill Passes Senate with Help of 18 Republicans.
When have 18 Democrats crossed over and voted with Republicans?
👆LINK and Thread 👇
FOX Business News: Five eye-popping spending items in the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill.
Federal lawmakers made public a massive $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill on Tuesday morning.
The release of the bill, which spans 4,155 pages, comes after negotiations between Senate Republicans and House and Senate Democrats.
[.]
Some lawmakers voiced complaints about the turnaround time to read the bill that contains $858 billion in defense spending and $772.5 billion in non-defense discretionary spending. Republican North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop pointed to certain provisions of the bill in a lengthy Twitter thread in the afternoon, calling them "egregious."
The bill contains $858 billion in defense spending and $772.5 billion in non-defense discretionary spending.
[.]
One earmark included in the spending bill asks for $3.6 million for a project called "Michelle Obama Trail – PATH Trail Project" in Georgia. *
No, Big Mike's Trail isn't one of the "eye-popping" spending items. Big Mike has something else that is eye-popping.
When did Libs begin worshiping at the Altar of The MIC?
This omnibus bill isn't funny. DC is spending money that doesn't exist.
Read Rep. Dan Bishop's Twitter Thread on this bill HERE.
[The bill] "allocates $410 million towards border security for Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Oman."
Oh, nice that our tax dollars will help border security in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and Oman. What - are there a lot of illegals from Mexico, Latin America, Argentina and Haiti trying to cross into those countries?
This bill is supported by RINO Mitch McWorthless, who referred to the bill's $45 billion in military and economic aid for Ukraine, as [a], "'Number One Priority’ for Republicans amid Inflation, Border Crisis."
But damn you if you accrue over $600 in your Venmo, PayPal or Cash App and fail to report it. The IRS will subject you to a fiscal colonoscopy.
* The Michelle Obama Trail is noted in Rep. Bishop's Twitter Thread. (not the FOX Business link.) Scroll down about 10 Tweet's, you can't miss it, it's in BIG LETTERS.
I know what I copy and paste and I know it was included in the FOX story. They must have updated it and removed Obama's Trail sentence. Then, it was re-Archived. That's strange. I know what I copy/paste!
Breitbart: Exclusive — Mitch McConnell Blocked from Moving Media Cartel Bill JCPA via Hotline.
Make SURE to read the story comments.
Mitch McWorthless is the guy the Never-Trumpers and the New-Never-Trumpers-Who-Used-To-Support-Trump wanted. Your wish was granted.
Oh, it's our fault now, Janet? Talk about gaslighting in extremis.
FOX News: Janet Yellen blames Americans' 'splurging' for record-high inflation.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen blamed consumers' excessive spending habits as a primary cause for the near 40-year-high in inflation on Wednesday.
The Biden official appeared on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," where she was asked about the price increases that have plagued the U.S. for more than a year.
[.]
Yellen argued the administration managed the COVID-19 pandemic so well that consumers felt comfortable to "splurge" on goods.
[.]
Instead, people spent more money on "grills," "technology" and office equipment as they were working from home.
"They were in their homes for a year or more, they wanted to buy grills and office furniture, they were working from home, they suddenly started splurging on goods, buying technology," she claimed, which led to supply chain "bottlenecks."
Later in the interview, Yellen also blamed Russia for the increase in food and gas prices.
No one is surprised by this.
Breitbart: Black Friday Disappoints: Thin Crowds and ‘Desolate’ Stores.
The busiest shopping day of the year is not as busy as retailers hoped.
Across the U.S., shopping malls are seeing only thin crowds, according to reports in business media. Inflation and depressed consumer sentiment appear to have dampened the holiday shopping spirit.
Reuters reported:
At Times Square in New York City, which was cloudy with occasional light rain, employees were seen waiting inside stores for crowds that so far had not arrived.
Outside the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, there were no lines outside stores. A ToysRUS employee was seen walking around the mall handing out flyers with a list of the Black Friday door busters.
Bloomberg reported:
Around 10:30am at Crossgates Mall in Albany, New York, the ultra low-cost brands and the higher-end buzzy retailers had the most foot traffic, while the middle-market stores were desolate.
Gap Inc.-owned Old Navy, which was offering 60% off most items, had a line so long that some shoppers turned around as soon as they entered the store. Athleisure favorite Lululemon Inc., which had only a few racks of discounted merchandise, and American Eagle Outfitters Inc.-owned Aerie, a popular intimates brand among Gen Z shoppers, also drew big crowds.
Meanwhile, stores like Banana Republic, Macy’s and Urban Outfitters had no lines at all, and only a handful of shoppers.
But - - - it's a transitory economic issue.
Josh Hammer@josh_hammer
Single best ad of the political cycle thus far.
Politico: McConnell pulls RNC ad money from AZ's Blake Masters.
Senate Republicans’ primary super PAC is canceling nearly $10 million in Arizona and Alaska ad reservations, raising questions about the party’s commitment to Blake Masters, its Senate nominee in the Copper State.
The Senate Leadership Fund, which is aligned with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is scrapping roughly $8 million in ads — about half of its initial Arizona reservation — that were supposed to start in the early fall. The group’s ads are now set to begin in early October.
McConnell doesn't want Conservatives, he wants RINOs and the UniParty. And that, dear valued readers who drop by here, isn't a "Red Wave."
..
