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Culture War Roundup for the week of December 16, 2024

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I did have a dark thought this could be some sort of 4d chess play.

Back in 2022, Elon cleared the way for his purchase of Twitter by trying to get out of it. It was a brilliant move. Everyone who was against him before said "no, no, you HAVE to buy it". Incredibly, progressives celebrated when they "won" and forced him to buy it. Two years later, Trump won the popular vote and DEI programs are being canceled all across America.

There's a chance that the shutdown is actually the intended point. If he were smart, Jeffries would get the Dems to go along with the new 116 page bill. The bill is fine. But instead, he is apparently fighting it. Now HE owns the shutdown. When Trump takes charge, there's a chance they'll just tell the furloughed workers, "you know what, stay home, you're fired". They are, after all, self-identifying as non-essential. Too bad the Democrats couldn't sign the continuing resolution..

Epistemic status: Extremely speculative.

They are, after all, self-identifying as non-essential.

This is perhaps the furthest thing possible from "self identification" - it's your boss telling you you're not important enough to be paid.

I know we're all super cynical mercenaries here, but ...

If my job was essential to the well-being of the country, I'd work anyway if they let me. Even if they didn't let me, I might sneak in and do work.

I've been one of those people. I was told if it got that bad, I'd have to come in without pay (while everyone else was at home without pay)... but that my line manager would be right there in the office beside me, working without pay, out of personal principle on his part rather than any corporate requirement.

It's a violation of the anti deficiency act to work while forloughed. You risk being fired when everyone else comes back, for violating a very clear red line.

Thanks for that. I was pretty sure it was illegal to work while furloughed.

If he were smart, Jeffries would get the Dems to go along with the new 116 page bill. The bill is fine. But instead, he is apparently fighting it. Now HE owns the shutdown.

No, the media decides who owns the shutdown. So when the National Christmas Tree goes dark, the Republicans will be to blame.

Who cares? New CEO. You start saying “the estimates are too rich we are going to lower.” Rio the band aide off at the start. As a result you start off with only upside.

The media will say that. But how much do they still matter?

I feel it is important to note that, just two month ago, the media decided that Kamala had all the momentum and Iowa was in play. They will certainly try to blame Republicans, they may very well succeed, but events might not play ball.

Events play ball by default. Most Americans default to blaming the party currently in power for anything that goes wrong regardless if that's valid. The Republicans will get 100% of the blame for any government shutdown that happens.

After 20th of January. Republicans are not in power.