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Andy's avatar

I shared this up on my Facebook as I still utilize the platform, so 3 (maybe even four!) other people will read it.

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Kathy Hughes's avatar

I agree with you. Canada is one of our strongest allies. They deserve more respect that Trump gives them. Also JD Vance embarrassed himself with the Germans.

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James Flanagan's avatar

Lots of government agencies got good, hard-working, idealistic people but the State Department used to get the best in my experience.

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James L Bruno's avatar

The amazing work of folks at NIH, CDC, Agriculture and other agencies is undertold. That’s why I recommend that folks read Michael Lewis’s book.

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James Flanagan's avatar

My father worked at an Air Force base and I was convinced it was their Siberia. They got some really talented and highly educated people, some of whom I assumed were too unconventional and free-thinking for Washington. Dad brought home a cassette tape during Vietnam that was circulating at work that said we had no idea what we were doing there. I think the main point was against lumping all the commies together, but it was a long time ago.

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James L Bruno's avatar

Nice anecdote of your dad.

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Judith Schwartz's avatar

Thank you for this information. I keep saying there is no deep state - vought is an enemy of the people not us. This is all their hate propaganda. The federal bureaucracy is our protection against dictatorship

It represents we the people by the people for the people

Fatass is a thief and grifter intent only on raising himself. He respects nothing about this country- he will mangle it steal the treasury and walk away

If people don’t wake up to that . . .

McConnell facilitated fatasses rise and now those who assist his ends have betrayed themselves and their country to the extent they will destroy it. Fatass will use them allowing them only an illusion they have power

I weep for what is occurring

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James L Bruno's avatar

Exactly. I plan to pull some vignettes out of Michael Lewis’s book, “Who is Government?” to underscore the essential and forward-looking work government workers actually do in contrast with MAGA’s lies.

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Michael Englander's avatar

James: are you one of the Argo-nauts, immortalized in the movie? In any case, you and your dedicated colleagues, and civil servants, who carry out their duties professionally, and for the nation’s good, deserve our thanks and respect.

‘Creep State’ is a term I’d apply to the current administration.

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James L Bruno's avatar

Thanks so much! But it is incumbent on all of us thinking citizens to counter the flood of lies coming from this administration on whatever subject. “Ceep State” - love it!

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Jeff's avatar

#respect

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James L Bruno's avatar

NB: I want to add another thing. I've almost never written or talked about the personal experiences in my essay in the past (plus others I've not revealed) because they give me quasi-PTSD. I had nightmares about them for years. I also leave out the details. I got myself into existential situations I could have avoided. And the State Dept was right to slap my knuckles. Several other close calls contributed to my leaving the Foreign Service not to mention that I had a young family who needed me and I them. I touched on my close calls and the hair-raising experiences, and deaths, of my colleagues now because I cannot just sit and say nothing in the face of the torrent of lies and abuse Trump & Gang are directing at public servants. I intend to draw on Michael Lewis's book, "Who is Government?" to disseminate the work of other federal workers who do amazing things for Americans, from countering epidemics to ensuring we drink clean water to making our lives safe in many other ways.

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