It flies under the radar because it is overwhelmed by the sheer repulsiveness of the physical destruction of the east wing, but there is no way that a president should be allowed to use private money to change public property. It circumvents the power of the purse.

In July, Trump said about his ballroom “It won’t interfere with the current building. It’ll be near it, but not touching it". We've all seen pictures proving that was a lie. Now the NYT cites a senior administration official indicating that the plans involve demolition of the entire East Wing.

On the subject of the Declaration of Independence…

"Every once in a while, Trump has a day — a single, 24-hour period — in which his authoritarian vision comes into sharp relief..." www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Distraction from political action for a bit... first attempt at a chess set. Many things to improve, but I'll take it for a first try. Maple and sapele with a walnut border, blonde shellac finish. I don't have a lathe to the pieces are a bit modernist. :) #woodworking

Backyard visitor helping keep the packrat population down... #Tucson #owl

Here's the webpage put up by the office of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes for people to notify her office if they're havig problems dealing with Social Security. Every state AG's office could do this. Might help. www.azag.gov/socialsecurity

Tariffs xkcd.com/3073

Hands Off post #2, more pictures...

Hands Off protest, Tucson. Don't have official attendance numbers yet, but it was bigger than is obvious from the pictures.

CNN: Stock market plummets MSNBC: Stock market craters Highlights for Children: Stock market down big FOX News:

After getting some rest, I am in awe of everyone who continues to lift their voice and speak out. This is a moment for our country, and we must make a choice about the America we want to be.

I've seen tragic moments in American history. (Shootings of MLK and RFK in 1968.) I've seen infuriating moments. (Bush v Gore 2000. 'Weapons of mass destruction' 2002-2003.) But I can't recall a moment as flat-out stupid as Trump's tariff declaration.

Senator Cory Booker -- nearly 23 hrs into this -- is more coherent than your average elected official speaking (while seated) at an average legislative hearing. Even if you haven't been watching all along, dip in for a moment -- he is making considerable sense: www.c-span.org/event/us-sen...

Tucson, Arizona today. Original projected attendance was 3,000 people. 23,000 showed up.

Very brave. I only represent Republicans, not all Americans in my district. Hopefully those independent voters will let him know how they feel about this when he runs for Senate.

NEW: A federal judge, for the first time, has ordered discovery on Elon Musk’s role in DOGE and his authority over the massive overhaul of the federal bureaucracy. w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

This is a grave and sobering admission: they are not pursuing the “WELL ACTUALLY he broke the law during protests,” they are bragging that they are deporting people for protected speech.

Latest (beginner) woodworking project - mostly poplar; the border is red oak. This has one coat of diluted tung oil - more to come of course. Many people consider poplar to be "paint grade" only, but I disagree, I rather like the green tones and the grain. #woodworking #poplar

Whitewater Draw, near Bisbee AZ. Big migratory stop for sandhill cranes, though this was too late in the season to catch most of them.

Let me hammer this in: -I have endlessly reminded people that US commercial aviation is a *miracle* of cooperative, collaborative safety systems, studied and admired around the world. -What could make me say: 'Start worrying about getting on an airliner'? Exactly this. Musk bros in the mix.

Fourteen hours before the crash. 👇

Colombia produces ~25% of the world's roses. And eight of every ten of those Colombian roses are exported to the US. We’re less than 20 days until #ValentinesDay. emergingmarkets.today/colombia-blo...

"'Just to be clear, both of your clients testified that they were paid by Rep. Gaetz to have sex?' Chang asked Leppard. 'That's correct. The House was very clear about that and went through each." abcnews.go.com/US/lawyer-te...