David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
@dburbach.bsky.social
(furloughed) Prof. National Security and International Relations. Space security, civil-military relations. Cats, science, photography for fun. Providence RI; Oregon at heart - PDX Strong🌹! Personal views ONLY; no govt resources used. Assoc Ed @TNSR.org
Pinned
My pinned tweet through Presidents of both parties: Sen. Leahy reminds an appointee that federal employees swear an oath to the Constitution, not of personal loyalty to any one man or woman.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSI...
A more specific point re Musk: he never even talks about beauty or wonder *about space*.
When has he ever talked about Mars as a place, as opposed to a thing, blank hexes on which to drop *his* creations. Or even talk about joy and thrill of scientific discoveries there?
When has he ever talked about Mars as a place, as opposed to a thing, blank hexes on which to drop *his* creations. Or even talk about joy and thrill of scientific discoveries there?
November 11, 2025 at 2:19 AM
A more specific point re Musk: he never even talks about beauty or wonder *about space*.
When has he ever talked about Mars as a place, as opposed to a thing, blank hexes on which to drop *his* creations. Or even talk about joy and thrill of scientific discoveries there?
When has he ever talked about Mars as a place, as opposed to a thing, blank hexes on which to drop *his* creations. Or even talk about joy and thrill of scientific discoveries there?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
NEW: President Trump's pardon of his alleged 2020 co-conspirators was less about shielding them from past crimes, his adversaries say, than about signaling to others that he has their back if he needs them again in 2026 or 2028.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM
NEW: President Trump's pardon of his alleged 2020 co-conspirators was less about shielding them from past crimes, his adversaries say, than about signaling to others that he has their back if he needs them again in 2026 or 2028.
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
We do in fact have a market where individuals can buy health insurance. That existed pre ACA too. People hate it, it doesn't cost less, and no you can't call up Blue Cross and talk them down 50% as if you're buying a used car
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
We do in fact have a market where individuals can buy health insurance. That existed pre ACA too. People hate it, it doesn't cost less, and no you can't call up Blue Cross and talk them down 50% as if you're buying a used car
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
“Unlikely”. Tremendous understatement, epic work.
November 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
“Unlikely”. Tremendous understatement, epic work.
I suppose I need to see the movie at some point but it irks me that someone as knowledgeable as Moniz is going along with "President has only minutes to make a retaliation decision in response to 1 missile of unknown origin hitting a non-military target"
@camanpour.bsky.social & @ernestmoniz.bsky.social (@nti.org) — head of the Nuclear Threat Initiative — discuss the film House of Dynamite and reveal how long a U.S. President would really have to respond to a nuclear attack
Watch Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files 🗂️ on @globalplayer.com 🎧
Watch Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files 🗂️ on @globalplayer.com 🎧
November 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I suppose I need to see the movie at some point but it irks me that someone as knowledgeable as Moniz is going along with "President has only minutes to make a retaliation decision in response to 1 missile of unknown origin hitting a non-military target"
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
im realizing that companies calling "anything a computer does" "AI" isn't ignorance or marketing, it's them figuring out that calling something "AI" is currently a get-out-of-liability-free card
recently at an automotive industry conference and the way every CEO swapped between obsessing about how engineers will be replaced by "prompt engineers", and justifying confidence in "AI" by referring to "basically anything a computer does" as "AI," was terrifying
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
im realizing that companies calling "anything a computer does" "AI" isn't ignorance or marketing, it's them figuring out that calling something "AI" is currently a get-out-of-liability-free card
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
The U.S. Air Force Academy's academic accreditation is under review following a formal complaint that the institution no longer has sufficient Ph.D.-level faculty as the federal government reduces its civilian workforce // Story by @thenoellephillips.bsky.social
Air Force Academy’s accreditation under review after cuts to civilian faculty
Concerned alumni and former faculty told The Denver Post they believe the academy is losing too many civilian Ph.D.-level instructors without the ability to replace them with qualified military mem…
www.denverpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The U.S. Air Force Academy's academic accreditation is under review following a formal complaint that the institution no longer has sufficient Ph.D.-level faculty as the federal government reduces its civilian workforce // Story by @thenoellephillips.bsky.social
They really are going with "you and your neighbor both paid $10,000 for health insurance last year and that mooch got a heart transplant while you got bupkiss! Is that fair?".
I wonder if we're far enough past the uninsured / preexisting condition days that voters will fall for it?
I wonder if we're far enough past the uninsured / preexisting condition days that voters will fall for it?
Remember that insurance is actually a thing you hope never to use, and then read this critique.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
They really are going with "you and your neighbor both paid $10,000 for health insurance last year and that mooch got a heart transplant while you got bupkiss! Is that fair?".
I wonder if we're far enough past the uninsured / preexisting condition days that voters will fall for it?
I wonder if we're far enough past the uninsured / preexisting condition days that voters will fall for it?
Impact on ATC morale aside, not beating the sense that what mattered to DC was having their flights delayed not food stamps or other Americans left in real need
Trump to air traffic controllers: "For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK"
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Impact on ATC morale aside, not beating the sense that what mattered to DC was having their flights delayed not food stamps or other Americans left in real need
Willing to bet in the cases of Sen Marshall or Cassidy they DO in fact understand it, but believe voters will not
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Willing to bet in the cases of Sen Marshall or Cassidy they DO in fact understand it, but believe voters will not
I guess where we are that Breaking Defense runs a profile of Rep Ronny Jackson and fails mention that he was fired and demoted, or anything negative at all, just put out as honorable doc to presidents who retired by choice as O7 then ran for Congress
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/whos...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/whos...
Who's Who in Defense: Ronny Jackson, Chairman, House Armed Services (HASC) Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee - Breaking Defense
The ISO is focused on DoD policies and programs affecting military and national intelligence.
breakingdefense.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I guess where we are that Breaking Defense runs a profile of Rep Ronny Jackson and fails mention that he was fired and demoted, or anything negative at all, just put out as honorable doc to presidents who retired by choice as O7 then ran for Congress
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/whos...
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/whos...
I'll miss some brands but if prosciutto goes away we've got real trouble 🐷
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I'll miss some brands but if prosciutto goes away we've got real trouble 🐷
If the Republicans won't give up ACA subsidies when they are being pressured and taking political hits, the theory for why they are *more* likely to concede with the pressure removed is .... ?
Angus King: "This initial strategy didn't work. And now we have one. We're gonna have a guaranteed vote on the ACA, and it may not succeed. I grant that. But a reasonable chance -- 10, 20, 30% -- is a lot better than 0% which is where we were."
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
If the Republicans won't give up ACA subsidies when they are being pressured and taking political hits, the theory for why they are *more* likely to concede with the pressure removed is .... ?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
the minute flights got canceled, Dems folded like a house of cards, leaving me to wonder why the fuck this post made some of you so angry
not enough chatter about how frequently members fly and how attacking airport capacity directly affects them in a way that cutting SNAP does not
November 10, 2025 at 3:41 AM
the minute flights got canceled, Dems folded like a house of cards, leaving me to wonder why the fuck this post made some of you so angry
Congressional Procedure Question: assume maximal UC in the Senate and House moves smoothly and willing to pass what Senate gives them.
From tonight, then, what's the day appropriations land on POTUS desk to sign?
From tonight, then, what's the day appropriations land on POTUS desk to sign?
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Congressional Procedure Question: assume maximal UC in the Senate and House moves smoothly and willing to pass what Senate gives them.
From tonight, then, what's the day appropriations land on POTUS desk to sign?
From tonight, then, what's the day appropriations land on POTUS desk to sign?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
I'm not sure if GOP is just that bad at self preservation or if the R theory is that they really can convince voters that "your premiums tripled because Obamacare sucks and we should get rid of it!" then get them to buy into Magic Beans Savings Accounts instead
don't even know what to say because my thinking six weeks ago was "the ACA subsidies are a bad negotiating move because it's too easy for republicans to agree to that, it's not asking enough" & now here they are ready to destroy the country to prevent people from being able to afford their premiums
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I'm not sure if GOP is just that bad at self preservation or if the R theory is that they really can convince voters that "your premiums tripled because Obamacare sucks and we should get rid of it!" then get them to buy into Magic Beans Savings Accounts instead
Very likely. I am curious what the *real* cave / not split was in the caucus.
That they chose to make the minimum number walk the plank vs to show 'unity' says something about their read of the politics of it, which then raises, why do it?
That they chose to make the minimum number walk the plank vs to show 'unity' says something about their read of the politics of it, which then raises, why do it?
The caucus meeting was just to orchestrate who would fall on the sword but not be up for a vote in 2026.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Very likely. I am curious what the *real* cave / not split was in the caucus.
That they chose to make the minimum number walk the plank vs to show 'unity' says something about their read of the politics of it, which then raises, why do it?
That they chose to make the minimum number walk the plank vs to show 'unity' says something about their read of the politics of it, which then raises, why do it?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake.
I voted NO.
I voted NO.
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake.
I voted NO.
I voted NO.
SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALL YOU HAVE IS AN HSA AND YOUR KID NEEDS SURGERY OR YOU GET CANCER?????
I am going to go insane that anyone things a personal savings account is a replacement for insurance.
I am going to go insane that anyone things a personal savings account is a replacement for insurance.
(also pretty sure this graphic is is AI-generated, haha)
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALL YOU HAVE IS AN HSA AND YOUR KID NEEDS SURGERY OR YOU GET CANCER?????
I am going to go insane that anyone things a personal savings account is a replacement for insurance.
I am going to go insane that anyone things a personal savings account is a replacement for insurance.
If any Dem is dumb or blinkered enough to say "let's stick it to health insurance CEOs by just having everyone pay cash out of pocket direct to docs and hospitals" then by god we deserve what will be coming.
I dunno if other "big insurance sucks!" Dems are thinking the same thing -- Bernie? -- but eliminating insurance for HSAs is INSANE. THat's basically the most extreme Republican idea from the past. You can't possibly expect people, let alone needy, to self-insure against catastrophic illness!
November 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
If any Dem is dumb or blinkered enough to say "let's stick it to health insurance CEOs by just having everyone pay cash out of pocket direct to docs and hospitals" then by god we deserve what will be coming.
I'm usually happy with my former Senator @wyden.senate.gov but what the hell is he thinking?
Sure insurance cos suck, so you give poor people a couple of 1000/yr HSA to pay docs directly, then first heart attack or tough pregnancy cleans out the HSA and leaves them bankrupt. wtf???
Sure insurance cos suck, so you give poor people a couple of 1000/yr HSA to pay docs directly, then first heart attack or tough pregnancy cleans out the HSA and leaves them bankrupt. wtf???
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
I'm usually happy with my former Senator @wyden.senate.gov but what the hell is he thinking?
Sure insurance cos suck, so you give poor people a couple of 1000/yr HSA to pay docs directly, then first heart attack or tough pregnancy cleans out the HSA and leaves them bankrupt. wtf???
Sure insurance cos suck, so you give poor people a couple of 1000/yr HSA to pay docs directly, then first heart attack or tough pregnancy cleans out the HSA and leaves them bankrupt. wtf???
"Democrats recognize President Trump’s new hardline against extending the ACA subsidies prevents a real chance of reaching a bipartisan deal on that issue, so several are willing to settle for just a [doomed -ed] standalone vote"
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 PM
"Democrats recognize President Trump’s new hardline against extending the ACA subsidies prevents a real chance of reaching a bipartisan deal on that issue, so several are willing to settle for just a [doomed -ed] standalone vote"
This can't possibly be something Senate Ds, even moderates, are agreeing to. Not only terrible policy but you couldn't possibly just switch to this on a dime like that, major implementation issues setting it up. And ACA 2026 enrollment already underway!
"A development that appeared to break the logjam: Republicans proposed that healthcare funding be provided directly to households rather than used to pay for a 1-year extension of ACA subsidies. That involves sending federal money into FSAs instead of insurance companies" www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Republicans Pitch Alternative to ACA Extension to End Government Shutdown
A proposal by GOP senators to send money directly to consumers’ health accounts rather than to insurance companies showed signs of breaking a stalemate on negotiations.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
This can't possibly be something Senate Ds, even moderates, are agreeing to. Not only terrible policy but you couldn't possibly just switch to this on a dime like that, major implementation issues setting it up. And ACA 2026 enrollment already underway!