Public Health News | Measles outbreak, RFK Etc

[UNCatTech]

Do you really believe either of those statements are true?

Well, why would they lie?

I mean I don't vote for liars and con men, so yest I trust those I vote for to do what they say.

But I guess it is hard to believe a habitual liar like trump and his goon. Maybe the courts will prove them to be liars again.

 

[gtyellowjacket]

Which started a while back. Still has a way to go but it started about a decade ago with hard numbers on materiel as well as just training and expansion. Trump's action might change the amount spent but he didn't start this. That started under Obama.


"I welcome what [NATO] Secretary General Stoltenberg yesterday called an 'unprecedented rise' in defense spending across our European and Canadian allies, who have added more than $600 billion for defense since the Defense Investment Pledge was made in 2014, including a real increase of 11% in defense spending in 2023 alone," Austin said in today's statement. "The secretary general projects that in 2024, 18 allies will spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense — a major improvement over 2014, when only three hit that target. Any ally not spending at least 2% of GDP on defense this year should have plans to swiftly meet that target."

Austin said he was pleased by the progress the U.S. and allies made at today's meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels and underscored the importance of the alliance to U.S. security.

I am not seeing us reducing our overseas defense spending since Obama. Certainly on a dollar for dollar basis as we ended two wars, but the general, let's spend a bunch of money to defend first world countries so they don't have to, I'm not seeing it. If anything, we are increasing commitments more with expanding NATO and checking China.

 

[UNCatTech]

I don't support all of the current administration's policies but I am warming to it based on some of their policies. I do think some of the criticism towards the administration is overblown and a bit ridiculous.

My question was specifically asking him if he really believes that HHS is no longer issuing grants or if he believes that HHS never allows research on differences based on ethnicity? It shocks me that anyone would think that so I'm clarifying its not some sort of sarcasm or embellishment.

I've listened to three different podcast this week interviewing researchers, who are very worried because grant money isn't flowing.

The issue, as he stated, is that many of these research projects have no buffer, so when the grant money is late some of the researchers cannot stay around hoping, they take other jobs or move on. Once they move on, it isn't that simple to for them to come back.

They also listed off the sources of many discoveries that have improved our lives, that came from some really obscure research that may have been questioned at the time, but the learnings from the research we eventually beneficial enough to more than pay for itself.

One example was research on poppies that lead to understanding of RNA degradation.

They also mentioned that there will be a lagging effect to slowing or stopping funding for research.

So, to be honest, I'll listen to those in the field who believe that drump's approach could really fuck up the American Science industry for decades to come, over you.

But you go ahead and keep warming to the trump lies.

 

[superrific]

I've listened to three different podcast this week interviewing researchers, who are very worried because grant money isn't flowing.

The issue, as he stated, is that many of these research projects have no buffer, so when the grant money is late some of the researchers cannot stay around hoping, they take other jobs or move on. Once they move on, it isn't that simple to for them to come back.

They also listed off the sources of many discoveries that have improved our lives, that came from some really obscure research that may have been questioned at the time, but the learnings from the research we eventually beneficial enough to more than pay for itself.

One example was research on poppies that lead to understanding of RNA degradation.

They also mentioned that there will be a lagging effect to slowing or stopping funding for research.

So, to be honest, I'll listen to those in the field who believe that drump's approach could really fuck up the American Science industry for decades to come, over you.

But you go ahead and keep warming to the trump lies.

Gila monster venom led to ozempic.

 

[UNCatTech]

Lower spending. The willingness to hold bureaucrats accountable for wasting tax payer funds. The willingness to look at new scientific information and not dismiss it out of hand.

I honestly think if Trump can pull off a significant culling of the bureaucracy without significantly curtailing services, he could be FDR level. But he's Trump so its more likely he blows it and he goes GWB level. But I'm hoping.

And there are proper ways to go about efficiency. A bull in a China shop approach doesn't work, you end up with broken non-functional shit.

How do you believe he's going to let go of all of these people and still get the job done?

Maybe like them letting go of the nuclear workers and having to rehire them because he didn't know what their job was.

Trump administration fires then rehires nuclear stockpile employees

The Trump administration fired and rehired dozens of staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear weapon stockpile. | TAG24

www.tag24.com

 

[superrific]

And there are proper ways to go about efficiency. A bull in a China shop approach doesn't work, you end up with broken non-functional shit.

How do you believe he's going to let go of all of these people and still get the job done?

Maybe like them letting go of the nuclear workers and having to rehire them because he didn't know what their job was.

Trump administration fires then rehires nuclear stockpile employees

The Trump administration fired and rehired dozens of staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear weapon stockpile. | TAG24

www.tag24.com

The crazy thing is that Musk already tried this approach with twitter. He killed it. Shit was breaking left and right, and instead of fixing it, he just decided to bill that as a new feature.

Sam Altman joked about buying X for $9B (that was 10% of the Musk offer for OpenAI) but the real joke is that X is probably only worth half of that. It's lost 90% of its value since Musk started ripping it to shreds.

 

[UNCatTech]

Gila monster venom led to ozempic.

Yes, that was also mentioned. I was just looking up a reference.

 

[gtyellowjacket]

And there are proper ways to go about efficiency. A bull in a China shop approach doesn't work, you end up with broken non-functional shit.

How do you believe he's going to let go of all of these people and still get the job done?

Maybe like them letting go of the nuclear workers and having to rehire them because he didn't know what their job was.

Trump administration fires then rehires nuclear stockpile employees

The Trump administration fired and rehired dozens of staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nuclear weapon stockpile. | TAG24

www.tag24.com

I think he might be moving too fast, but its in line with corporate practice that tends to cut too much and then hire back as needed. Its not ideal, and there are hiring and training costs involved, but it does tend to get companies leaner. And if it works, without compromising services, we are all better off for it, except the surplus workers of course.

And it will only work if the federal government has too many workers or they are underutilized. If the government workforce is largely efficient and has the right staffing levels, the effort will fail.

 

[finesse]

I think he might be moving too fast, but its in line with corporate practice that tends to cut too much and then hire back as needed. Its not ideal, and there are hiring and training costs involved, but it does tend to get companies leaner. And if it works, without compromising services, we are all better off for it, except the surplus workers of course.

And it will only work if the federal government has too many workers or they are underutilized. If the government workforce is largely efficient and has the right staffing levels, the effort will fail.

It might be fine for a corporation but not for a country. There are different obligations which is why most people understand that you don't run a country like a business.

 

[WaynetheDrain]

I think he might be moving too fast, but its in line with corporate practice that tends to cut too much and then hire back as needed. Its not ideal, and there are hiring and training costs involved, but it does tend to get companies leaner. And if it works, without compromising services, we are all better off for it, except the surplus workers of course.

And it will only work if the federal government has too many workers or they are underutilized. If the government workforce is largely efficient and has the right staffing levels, the effort will fail.

But you're "warming to it."

Smh.

 

[gtyellowjacket]

It might be fine for a corporation but not for a country. There are different obligations which is why most people understand that you don't run a country like a business.

Okay but its very possible the old way didn't work. There is a real perception that much of the federal staff is underutilized and/or incompetent. There is also a perception that it has been very difficult to get rid of underperforming personnel so they kind of float along cashing a paycheck. Finally there is a perception that a number of things the government works on that might not be worth it for the taxpayer but there isn't a real impetus to end the programs.

If there is a better way to address those concerns, feel free to expound, but in the past, nothing has really changed

 

[finesse]

Okay but its very possible the old way didn't work. There is a real perception that much of the federal staff is underutilized and/or incompetent. There is also a perception that it has been very difficult to get rid of underperforming personnel so they kind of float along cashing a paycheck. Finally there is a perception that a number of things the government works on that might not be worth it for the taxpayer but there isn't a real impetus to end the programs.

If there is a better way to address those concerns, feel free to expound, but in the past, nothing has really changed

In no small part, through the intransigence of the Republican Party. The last immigration bill is a great example. By all rational standards, it should have been passed. It failed because of loyalty to a party and an unelected citizen of dubious character instead of to the American people. You'll find countless examples of that. The Dems aren't free of it but that's generally just good old fashioned greed. The Republicans do it for power and control.

 

[Duke Mu]

Epidemics are happening now that could/is threatening America, especially with the Trump Idiocracy eviscerating health care, NIH.


1. Bird flu - Americans dying

2. Ebola - Out of Africa

3. Marburg virus - hemorrhagic fever

4. Measles

 

[tallheel95]

Okay but its very possible the old way didn't work. There is a real perception that much of the federal staff is underutilized and/or incompetent. There is also a perception that it has been very difficult to get rid of underperforming personnel so they kind of float along cashing a paycheck. Finally there is a perception that a number of things the government works on that might not be worth it for the taxpayer but there isn't a real impetus to end the programs.

If there is a better way to address those concerns, feel free to expound, but in the past, nothing has really changed

I worry about “perception” vs reality in your previous statements. Also, I’m happy for downsizing in federal government if it needs to be done, but it seems like a better way would be to 1) lower some of the barriers to termination of employment and 2) complete a focused, comprehensive audit to eliminate positions that are redundant and/or unnecessary. Trump has the political capital to do both of these things, and as such this slash and burn elimination of government employees is not only unnecessary but downright irresponsible.

Honestly, do you not find it worrying that Trump has the political will to do much of his agenda above board — he has both chambers of congress on his side and they have certainly capitulated to his cabinet picks — but instead he moves forward in these extreme ways that he KNOWS will be challenged in the courts?

 

[gtyellowjacket]

I worry about “perception” vs reality in your previous statements. Also, I’m happy for downsizing in federal government if it needs to be done, but it seems like a better way would be to 1) lower some of the barriers to termination of employment and 2) complete a focused, comprehensive audit to eliminate positions that are redundant and/or unnecessary. Trump has the political capital to do both of these things, and as such this slash and burn elimination of government employees is not only unnecessary but downright irresponsible.

Honestly, do you not find it worrying that Trump has the political will to do much of his agenda above board — he has both chambers of congress on his side and they have certainly capitulated to his cabinet picks — but instead he moves forward in these extreme ways that he KNOWS will be challenged in the courts?

It is certainly some grandstanding and I think a lot of it will be challenged in court. I'm not sure Trump has quite as much political will as you think with Congress. Congress sets up some of these programs to placate donors or get economic impact into their districts.

Yes, he can get a few people primaried but is that going to help him if the new Republican nominee is nuts and the Democrat wins in the midterm? I think Trump is about to realize that he can't ride quite as roughshod over Congress as he likes but I also think Congressional Republicans are going to notice the popularity of these programs and how quickly Trump can end some of their political careers with a tweet.

 

[UNCatTech]

The crazy thing is that Musk already tried this approach with twitter. He killed it. Shit was breaking left and right, and instead of fixing it, he just decided to bill that as a new feature.

Sam Altman joked about buying X for $9B (that was 10% of the Musk offer for OpenAI) but the real joke is that X is probably only worth half of that. It's lost 90% of its value since Musk started ripping it to shreds.

Agreed. Even in situations where a company knows the roles and plans things this isn't the the best methodology. In drump's case they don't even understand the job functions and responsibilities.

 

[UNCatTech]

I worry about “perception” vs reality in your previous statements. Also, I’m happy for downsizing in federal government if it needs to be done, but it seems like a better way would be to 1) lower some of the barriers to termination of employment and 2) complete a focused, comprehensive audit to eliminate positions that are redundant and/or unnecessary. Trump has the political capital to do both of these things, and as such this slash and burn elimination of government employees is not only unnecessary but downright irresponsible.

Honestly, do you not find it worrying that Trump has the political will to do much of his agenda above board — he has both chambers of congress on his side and they have certainly capitulated to his cabinet picks — but instead he moves forward in these extreme ways that he KNOWS will be challenged in the courts?

He doesn't know any other way to move forward. A lifetime bully isn't going to change at 80.

 

[UNCatTech]

It is certainly some grandstanding and I think a lot of it will be challenged in court. I'm not sure Trump has quite as much political will as you think with Congress. Congress sets up some of these programs to placate donors or get economic impact into their districts.

Yes, he can get a few people primaried but is that going to help him if the new Republican nominee is nuts and the Democrat wins in the midterm? I think Trump is about to realize that he can't ride quite as roughshod over Congress as he likes but I also think Congressional Republicans are going to notice the popularity of these programs and how quickly Trump can end some of their political careers with a tweet.

The court challenges are a waste of tax payer money compared to doing it the appropriate way.

 

[Duke Mu]

Epidemics are happening now that could/is threatening America, especially with the Trump Idiocracy eviscerating health care, NIH.


1. Bird flu - Americans dying

2. Ebola - Out of Africa

3. Marburg virus - hemorrhagic fever

4. Measles

Yeah, I did not have

1. Bird flu
2. Ebola
3. Marburg virus - hemorrhagic fever
4. Measles
AND
5. Tuberculosis

North Carolina tuberculosis cases are on the rise for the first time in decades

Cases of the world’s deadliest infectious disease have been increasing in the U.S. in recent years

www.the-independent.com

on the Infectious Disease parlay. Be safe out there, folks.

 

[Lando]

This thread shows how pointless it is to engage MAGA. We have a populist movement centered around nostalgia and a hate for the elites. So naturally an explicitly poor business decision (cutting too deeply) is defended with some Jack Welch shareholder value gibberish.