Ben Muse
benmuse.bsky.social
Ben Muse
@benmuse.bsky.social
900 followers 2.1K following 370 posts
Worked as an economist with Alaska and Federal fishery management agencies. Retired in Juneau now.
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Yes, this.
#USDemocracy #coalition
Heather Cox Richardson discourages infighting:
“This is not a partisan moment for our country. You're gonna find yourself making common cause with people that you do not agree with on a lot of stuff. We can hash that out on the other side of saving our democracy”
This Moment Is About Standing up Against Those Who Would Turn Us Into a Dictatorship
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
youtube.com
Reposted by Ben Muse
"Narco-terrorists."

Another reason we shouldn't have been calling everything terrorism for 20+ yrs.
His domestic policy is Orbanism, his foreign policy is Putinism, and his economic policy is 17th Century mercantilism.
I’m afraid this includes Alaska’s Murkowski.
“Orbanization” rather than “a word based on his name” emphasizes derivative, unoriginal nature of his project. Attack on the ego.
Well, you’re not all wrong. My thinking: Orbanization is his domestic political policy. That word is an alternative to “Tr**pism,”allowing us not to use his name. It is foreign to the American constitution and the way we do things here. It is answers “America first” sloganeering.
Important point. President’s agenda matters, but is only part of what matters. But to this President, it is all that matters.
Just to note it, the idea that an Ambassador's only job is to exclusively represent the views of the Administration, rather than the United States, would be news to every Ambassador and foreign service professional who's ever served.
I like the way you framed that. Let’s not use the word “Tr**p” anymore. Why flatter his ego? Also “Orbanize” is good, emphasizes foreign origin of this part of MAGA.
Reposted by Ben Muse
President says the government's policy to contend with drug traffickers is indiscriminate murder.
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
Delegation should remember how incompetent this administration is, and be prepared for lawsuits.
He tasted blood and he liked it. Now he wants more.
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
Reposted by Ben Muse
This is openly and clearly illegal based on the public statements and justifications from the Admin (specifically continuing to reference the FTO designation), and everyone in uniform involved down to the individual trigger pullers and analysts doing targeting need to face Article 32 hearings
No punishment any future admin could realistically deliver will be enough for this murderous regime. archive.today/sYuw3
Alaska Senator Murkowski is helping make all of this possible by supporting Republican (essentially MAGA) control of Congress.
I hope voters make them pay for all of Trump’s corruption, incompetence, lies and malfeasance. It is only made possible by the acquiescence and cowardice of Republicans in Congress, so they are the ones who should be held accountable for all of it in the short term.
Thanks, that helps. I don’t think there is a Congressional authorization or appropriation here.
Reposted by Ben Muse
He is talking about executing civilians
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
How was the money solicited? Questions about quid pro quos? What about Congressional authorization and appropriation? What about compliance with laws and rules governing project evaluation and public input. Hope you covered these.
Look forward to reading your article. This summary misses big questions the action raises about the rule of law and Congressional authority. Hope you addressed them.
How does this work absent Congressional authorization and appropriation? Does this go through a Treasury account? How was the money solicited?
Reposted by Ben Muse
@jacobbogage.bsky.social is there a missing context to this or can I trust that WAPO will report Trump saying we’re just going to straight up murder people now?
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
This is the way.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he is creating an independent commission to build a public record of the conduct of federal agents engaged in aggressive immigration actions in his state with plans to use the information later to hold them accountable.
JB Pritzker Creates Watchdog for Federal Immigration Actions in Illinois
The governor signed an executive order to establish the Illinois Accountability Commission.
on.wsj.com
Reposted by Ben Muse
The ballroom *has* to be torn down, because Trump has made it a symbol of an un-American, monarchial conception of the presidency.

@timmiller.bsky.social, @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social, and @jvl.bsky.social talk that and more in the latest episode of The Next Level!
Reposted by Ben Muse
This is extrajudicial murder. It is illegal and unethical. And it is a pathetic use of American military force, demonstrating not strength but weakness.
U.S. strikes alleged drug vessel, this time on the Pacific side.

In what is the eighth known U.S. attack on a boat since Sept. 2, two to three individuals aboard the vessel were killed.

www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-str...
U.S. strikes 8th alleged drug vessel, this time on the Pacific side
This is the first U.S. strike against an alleged drug vessel on the Pacific side of South America.
www.cbsnews.com
Reposted by Ben Muse
this *is* the story, this is the *whole* story
"The White House has released few details on the project’s funding — and has not sought permission from Congress, which is empowered with authorizing all federal spending." is in the story
President Trump’s plan to build a White House ballroom has underscored an overlooked aspect of presidential power: no one could stop him.

“Our hands are tied,” Rebecca Miller, executive director of the D.C. Preservation League, said.
Although, granted, there are conservatives like Murkowski, who think they can get things they want from MAGA. Imagine, thinking you can use MAGA and not be destroyed by it!
There is nothing conservative about MAGA.