And Congress, please use common sense
7 Ways Congress Should Sharpen Its Oversight in 2026
7 Ways Congress Should Sharpen Its Oversight in 2026
7 Ways Congress Should Sharpen Its Oversight in 2026
Seven practical ways Congress can strengthen bipartisan oversight, improve accountability, and deliver results in a constrained legislative year.
www.pogo.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:13 PM
And Congress, please use common sense
7 Ways Congress Should Sharpen Its Oversight in 2026
7 Ways Congress Should Sharpen Its Oversight in 2026
Reward for being up at the crack of dawn on New Year’s Day is seeing 2 Bald Eagles soaring. I was alone so I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was really awake.
January 1, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Reward for being up at the crack of dawn on New Year’s Day is seeing 2 Bald Eagles soaring. I was alone so I had to rub my eyes to make sure I was really awake.
NYE is a time to look back at your EBird list. One thing that jumped out is the I had over a hundred less checklists this year. Start looking around at county and state totals and notice a significant drop overall. Some of this could be weather, but I think the big theme is no atlas this year.
December 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM
NYE is a time to look back at your EBird list. One thing that jumped out is the I had over a hundred less checklists this year. Start looking around at county and state totals and notice a significant drop overall. Some of this could be weather, but I think the big theme is no atlas this year.
For the last several months my neighborhood has become a staging area for a hundred crows or more. (Rough estimate: 80% American / 20% Fish) They don’t roost here - pretty sure that’s in Rockville - but as dawn approaches they come over here till the day warms up a little and then they move on.
December 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
For the last several months my neighborhood has become a staging area for a hundred crows or more. (Rough estimate: 80% American / 20% Fish) They don’t roost here - pretty sure that’s in Rockville - but as dawn approaches they come over here till the day warms up a little and then they move on.
Overheard at work:
That sounds like a January problem.
That sounds like a January problem.
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Overheard at work:
That sounds like a January problem.
That sounds like a January problem.
Great walk around the neighborhood this morning. 6 Woodpeckers, Winter Wren, Creeper, and two common birds that aren’t common in the neighborhood this time of year— a Red-tailed Hawk and Chipping Sparrow.
December 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Great walk around the neighborhood this morning. 6 Woodpeckers, Winter Wren, Creeper, and two common birds that aren’t common in the neighborhood this time of year— a Red-tailed Hawk and Chipping Sparrow.
This morning’s walk produced a Raven. Second on in a week. That’s a good bird. :)
December 8, 2025 at 12:41 PM
This morning’s walk produced a Raven. Second on in a week. That’s a good bird. :)
On this morning’s walk there were 3 Piliated Woodpecker squawking up a storm on one tree. Appeared to be 2 males arguing over a female. Seems like unusual behavior for December
December 7, 2025 at 1:21 PM
On this morning’s walk there were 3 Piliated Woodpecker squawking up a storm on one tree. Appeared to be 2 males arguing over a female. Seems like unusual behavior for December
Reposted by Keith Rutter
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
Increasing Oversight of the Relief of Military Leaders
Congress can stop the politicization of the armed services and reverse the defense secretary’s abuse of power.
www.pogo.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
Happiness is seeing a late Great Blue Heron flying at dusk to their roosting spot
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Happiness is seeing a late Great Blue Heron flying at dusk to their roosting spot
On this morning’s walk every tree was filled with Robins
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
On this morning’s walk every tree was filled with Robins
New month. All new birds!
November 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
New month. All new birds!
A huge flock of about 90 Robins flew by this morning. Just an amazing site.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
October 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A huge flock of about 90 Robins flew by this morning. Just an amazing site.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
I haven’t checked my records but it seems like the Chipping Sparrows are sticking around the neighborhood longer this year. I appreciate them, but am curious as to why.
October 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I haven’t checked my records but it seems like the Chipping Sparrows are sticking around the neighborhood longer this year. I appreciate them, but am curious as to why.
Hermit Thrush in the backyard makes getting up before dawn worth it
October 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Hermit Thrush in the backyard makes getting up before dawn worth it
Reposted by Keith Rutter
Must-read analysis from two POGO experts:
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pentagon Press Restrictions – Experts Weigh In
A Pulitzer Prize-winning Pentagon reporter and former USMC press officer reflect on the latest restrictions from Hegseth’s DOD.
www.pogo.org
October 16, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Must-read analysis from two POGO experts:
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
At Blue Mash this evening the pond that some birders call Big Louie was very dry. Only 30% full.
October 17, 2025 at 12:54 AM
At Blue Mash this evening the pond that some birders call Big Louie was very dry. Only 30% full.
Early October and already a Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch show up in the neighborhood.
October 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Early October and already a Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch show up in the neighborhood.
On this morning’s walk around the neighborhood the big dogs were out - had a Barred Owl, Red-shoulder, Coop, and a Raven. All by 7:30
October 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
On this morning’s walk around the neighborhood the big dogs were out - had a Barred Owl, Red-shoulder, Coop, and a Raven. All by 7:30
By 7 am I had 3 new birds for my day list. Great birding day so far. Either that or I previously haven’t got out much on Oct 1. 🤪
October 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM
By 7 am I had 3 new birds for my day list. Great birding day so far. Either that or I previously haven’t got out much on Oct 1. 🤪
First Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season this morning
October 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
First Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season this morning
Reposted by Keith Rutter
bsky.app/profile/mdhe... are you working on something like this? (Please do)
August 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
bsky.app/profile/mdhe... are you working on something like this? (Please do)
Neighborhood walk this morning turned up a cuckoo, 2 green herons- twice the fun, and a great blue heron - flyover, but it still counts. 🤓
July 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Neighborhood walk this morning turned up a cuckoo, 2 green herons- twice the fun, and a great blue heron - flyover, but it still counts. 🤓
Reposted by Keith Rutter
The former city council president, Ben Stuckart, was charged with conspiracy, as were all but two of the other named defendants. (Hatfield and Silva also were charged with assault).
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Spokane ICE protesters arrested by federal agents
Federal agents on Tuesday morning arrested and searched the homes of multiple people who took part in a June 11 mass protest against immigration enforcement in Spokane.
www.spokesman.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:33 AM
The former city council president, Ben Stuckart, was charged with conspiracy, as were all but two of the other named defendants. (Hatfield and Silva also were charged with assault).
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Keith Rutter
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July 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Want to shape defense policy, not just read about it?
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
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zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
Save your spot—sign up now!
zoom.us/meeting/regi...