"Then, in late December 2024, it was part of a major government funding deal that was suddenly scuttled after Elon Musk threw a tantrum over the inclusion of any new spending provisions."
This sentence is an absolute indictment of our politics. At least Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders are senators. They are accountable to their voters for their decisions, who have empowered them with the ability to object to legislation. But Elon Musk is not an elected official. He is a white supremacist, pedophile-curious, ketamine-addicted man-child with a reputation for genius that is utterly undeserved (the geniuses behind his companies are the engineers and scientists) and enormous delusions of grandeur. He is not accountable to anyone, it seems. And in December 2024, Joe Biden was president. Musk had absolutely no official powers whatsoever.
I'm on the verge of saying we should set aside 1776, despite this year being what it is, and start partying like it's 1793.
Thank you for writing this, Sam. It's well written and presented the reality of how hard it can be to get something through our political system at any time, not just during Trump years. But I've been feeling recently like the only possible news until Trump leaves office is going to be horrible news, and it's hard to hang onto the kind of hope that we need to keep joy in our lives. And joy, as a lot of people are noticing lately, is a type of medicine, and a weapon against the dark. So reading this gave me something I really needed today. (Along with watching Rocky Kanaka of Sitting with Dogs save a terrified dog from life and death in a shelter. Two forms of inspiration in one day. Wow.)
"Then, in late December 2024, it was part of a major government funding deal that was suddenly scuttled after Elon Musk threw a tantrum over the inclusion of any new spending provisions."
This sentence is an absolute indictment of our politics. At least Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders are senators. They are accountable to their voters for their decisions, who have empowered them with the ability to object to legislation. But Elon Musk is not an elected official. He is a white supremacist, pedophile-curious, ketamine-addicted man-child with a reputation for genius that is utterly undeserved (the geniuses behind his companies are the engineers and scientists) and enormous delusions of grandeur. He is not accountable to anyone, it seems. And in December 2024, Joe Biden was president. Musk had absolutely no official powers whatsoever.
I'm on the verge of saying we should set aside 1776, despite this year being what it is, and start partying like it's 1793.
Finally!!! I’m thrilled. Thanks, Sam!
Fantastic news! Had my American friends contacting their senators but really thought Bernie had killed it, so, so glad to be wrong!
Thank you for writing this, Sam. It's well written and presented the reality of how hard it can be to get something through our political system at any time, not just during Trump years. But I've been feeling recently like the only possible news until Trump leaves office is going to be horrible news, and it's hard to hang onto the kind of hope that we need to keep joy in our lives. And joy, as a lot of people are noticing lately, is a type of medicine, and a weapon against the dark. So reading this gave me something I really needed today. (Along with watching Rocky Kanaka of Sitting with Dogs save a terrified dog from life and death in a shelter. Two forms of inspiration in one day. Wow.)
Rocky is great. Also We Rate Dogs!
So kid’s cancer gets a larger slice of a shrinking pie, and we declare it victory?
It’s not even obvious that children’s cancer is relatively underfunded.
Thanks goodness! Thanks Sam. Keep on keeping on.
Thanks for tracking this, Sam.