F.B.I. Opened Inquiry Into Whether Trump Was Secretly Working on Behalf of Russia – The New York Times

  In the months before the 2016 election, the F.B.I. was also already investigating four of Mr. Trump’s associates over their ties to Russia. The constellation of events disquieted F.B.I. officials who were simultaneously watching as Russia’s campaign unfolded to undermine the presidential election by exploiting existing divisions among Americans. Source: F.B.I. Opened Inquiry Into… Continue reading F.B.I. Opened Inquiry Into Whether Trump Was Secretly Working on Behalf of Russia – The New York Times

This is why you close the parks during a shutdown.

Vulnerable Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park in California have been cut down by visitors who illegally drove into areas where vehicles are banned during the partial government shutdown. As a result, the park is closed indefinitely, its superintendent said Thursday. From Axios

Opinion | Trump’s Big Libertarian Experiment – The New York Times

the philosophy of the party’s base is, in essence, big government for me but not for thee. Stick it to the bums on welfare, but don’t touch those farm subsidies. Tellingly, the centerpiece of the long G.O.P. jihad against Obamacare was the false claim that it would hurt Medicare. … if you have libertarian leanings… Continue reading Opinion | Trump’s Big Libertarian Experiment – The New York Times

Joshua trees cut down by vandals during government shutdown – Axios

In all previous government shutdowns that affected the Department of Interior, administrations closed the parks rather than allow access unsupervised. Joshua trees already face threats of extinction from climate change. Source: Joshua trees cut down by vandals during government shutdown – Axios This is awful and disappointing but also predictable.  

Poll: Voters blame Trump, GOP for shutdown

Nearly half of voters, 47 percent, say Trump is mostly to blame for the shutdown, the poll shows, while another 5 percent point the finger at congressional Republicans. But just a third, 33 percent, blame Democrats in Congress From Poll: Voters blame Trump, GOP for shutdown That 33% is his base and that number is… Continue reading Poll: Voters blame Trump, GOP for shutdown

National parks face overflowing trash, toilets in second week of shutdown

As the government shutdown extends into the new year, public lands and national parks are struggling to handle the trash, waste, and other damage from visitors. National parks face overflowing trash, toilets in second week of shutdown There is no more fitting metaphor for the Republican party than the piles of trash and overflowing toilets… Continue reading National parks face overflowing trash, toilets in second week of shutdown

“He’s not hurting the people he needs to be”: a Trump voter says the quiet part out loud

A Trump voter hurt by the shutdown reveals the real reason the president attracts hardcore supporters. “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be”: a Trump voter says the quiet part out loud The tell when someone is acting in bad faith is when the argument and their actions are misaligned to the point… Continue reading “He’s not hurting the people he needs to be”: a Trump voter says the quiet part out loud