David Burbach 🌹
@dburbach.bsky.social
29K followers 670 following 7.2K posts
(furloughed) Prof. National Security and International Relations. Space security, civil-military relations. Cats, science, photography for fun. Providence RI; Oregon at heart - PDX Strong🌹! Personal views ONLY; no govt resources used. Assoc Ed @TNSR.org
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dburbach.bsky.social
Like other civil servants, I took an oath of loyalty to our CONSTITUTION, not to any one man.

t.co/F4PJLuAI53
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=GlSIwJgX5J4
t.co
dburbach.bsky.social
"yeah but this one is in *our* sphere of influence so it's ok", said the antimilitarist
dburbach.bsky.social
Kids? The participants in the racist chat were in their 20s and 30s and included elected state legislators and senior staff to statewide elected officials.
thebulwark.com
Vance on public outrage over the "I love Hitler" group chat: "Grow up! Focus on the real issues. Don't focus on what kids say in group chats... The reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys — they tell edgy, offensive jokes. That's what kids do."
Reposted by David Burbach 🌹
davidkurtz.bsky.social
Not just Venezuela. Colombia, too. And not just extra-judicial, but indiscriminate: "the Pentagon was unable to determine the individual identities of each person on the boats before they struck them."
dburbach.bsky.social
There are a very tiny few of us who seem to care about that, even among most of the military people I follow
dburbach.bsky.social
I'm doing fine on a temporary furlough as a relatively senior employee with a spouse bringing in similar income.

But plenty of civil servants are *not* in that boat and are running into hardships quickly.
dburbach.bsky.social
I'd ask military service members to remember those civilians designated as essential and required to work alongside you will NOT get paychecks, and also have fewer resources available like leniency from banks, relief societies, etc.
starsandstripes.bsky.social
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military...and to the Coast Guard.

The administration has begun tapping funds from Trump’s tax breaks and budget law to pay for priorities during the shutdown, ensuring that the Coast Guard doesn’t go without paychecks.
Trump’s ‘big bill’ will help ensure Coast Guard salaries get paid
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military ... and to the Coast Guard.
www.stripes.com
dburbach.bsky.social
Reminder the issue is not lack of funds in the treasury (as with debt ceiling crises), but Congress did not legally authorize using those funds funds to disburse paychecks after 10/1

Admin now asserts they can both refuse to spend as Congress said in law, and, can spend without legal appropriations
starsandstripes.bsky.social
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military...and to the Coast Guard.

The administration has begun tapping funds from Trump’s tax breaks and budget law to pay for priorities during the shutdown, ensuring that the Coast Guard doesn’t go without paychecks.
Trump’s ‘big bill’ will help ensure Coast Guard salaries get paid
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military ... and to the Coast Guard.
www.stripes.com
dburbach.bsky.social
As always:
dburbach.bsky.social
Regular reminder that:

1. Strictly personal posts here not affiliated with any employer

2. Currently furloughed / unemployed so at all times no government property, government equipment or government time used

3. The rose 🌹in my profile is for solidarity with Portland in these tough times
dburbach.bsky.social
I will be at a local rally on the 18th, wearing my red-white-and-blue tie and holding a sign with an American flag, because I support our Constitutional values, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law
atrupar.com
Johnson: "We call it the Hate America Rally that will happen Saturday. Let's see who shows up for that. I bet you you'll see Hamas supporters, I bet you'll see antifa types, I bet you'll see Marxists on full display, people who don't want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic"
dburbach.bsky.social
"This proves how robust a 737 is! 98% of the people on board were fine!"

Well, yeah, but if this is a regular flight outcome and not one in ten million, your design has problems....
Reposted by David Burbach 🌹
Reposted by David Burbach 🌹
natashabertrand.bsky.social
NEW: How the Pentagon sidelined lawyers while testing the legal limits of military action
New details here about how the Army’s top uniformed lawyer was fired just weeks after raising concerns about the use of the military domestically and mass firings of DoD employees www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/p...
How the Pentagon sidelined lawyers while testing the legal limits of military action | CNN Politics
For weeks earlier this year, the Army’s top uniformed lawyer had been raising legal concerns inside the Pentagon about some of the new policies being rolled out dictating how the military can be used ...
www.cnn.com
dburbach.bsky.social
I viscerally dislike the idea of AI girlfriends / sexbots but if something tragic befell my wife it might actually be better than what dating is today
dburbach.bsky.social
I recall a column from a college student in the early 80s musing about how she and her classmates would be gathered around a cheery piano singing "You Must Whip It, Whip It Good" in a retirement home fifty years hence
dburbach.bsky.social
My college roommate and I listened Sunday nights on KLSX, I see many of the late 80s Funny Five staples are there in the all time top 40 (but I get how Rich Little's "Contra Rap" didn't stand the test of time). Thanks for all the laughs Dr.!
avclub.com
The influential, top hat-wearing DJ, Dr. Demento, wrapped his long-running radio show yesterday with a countdown of his top 40 most requested songs.

www.avclub.com/dr-demento-f...
Dr. Demento ends 55-year run as radio's weirdest DJ
Dr. Demento ends 55-year run as radio's weirdest DJ
www.avclub.com
dburbach.bsky.social
Right. From the review and others tidbits I've read, sounds like it's a regular ballistic weapon in the movie
dburbach.bsky.social
(*) to allow for the special cases of maneuvering off of an MET during boost and a launch from the DPRK - China - Russia triborder area
dburbach.bsky.social
If we figure out which American city it is headed towards, which apparently we do, we also then know where it came from (*)
dburbach.bsky.social
I'm on the record worrying that a single low-yield Trident warhead fired during a war might not stay limited -- and that I wouldn't count on the US holding back if it were us receiving -- but that assumes an ongoing war against a known adversary
dburbach.bsky.social
Maybe that BAS review is written poorly but if not, "we don't know where this lone missile came from" and "advisors recommending we must do full retaliation before it hits" is nonsensical. Hopefully in the actual movie fleshes out and makes more sense.