The Spoon in the Road
@haphazardcloud.bsky.social
As far from the fork as silverware can be.
People are sleeping on this OPM guidance on probationary employees. Its timing - the EO & OPM guidance coming shortly after recent court losses on terminating probationary employees - and terms set stage for agencies to broadly conclude most probationary employees aren’t in best interest 1/
May 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
People are sleeping on this OPM guidance on probationary employees. Its timing - the EO & OPM guidance coming shortly after recent court losses on terminating probationary employees - and terms set stage for agencies to broadly conclude most probationary employees aren’t in best interest 1/
Senate should ask Caine why so many of the President’s nominees for Defense positions primarily come from NG backgrounds. Which enemy does that selection suggest he’s most interested in defeating?
April 2, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Senate should ask Caine why so many of the President’s nominees for Defense positions primarily come from NG backgrounds. Which enemy does that selection suggest he’s most interested in defeating?
There’s a campaign ad about Gay Valimont that begins with saying that she HATES Trump. Then it plays a video of her saying that she does indeed dislike what he’s doing immensely.
It’s ostensibly a Patronis ad, but honestly makes a strong case for Valimont: they had me at “she hates Trump.”
It’s ostensibly a Patronis ad, but honestly makes a strong case for Valimont: they had me at “she hates Trump.”
March 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
There’s a campaign ad about Gay Valimont that begins with saying that she HATES Trump. Then it plays a video of her saying that she does indeed dislike what he’s doing immensely.
It’s ostensibly a Patronis ad, but honestly makes a strong case for Valimont: they had me at “she hates Trump.”
It’s ostensibly a Patronis ad, but honestly makes a strong case for Valimont: they had me at “she hates Trump.”
Early voted for Gay Valimont. No idea how this election will turn out, but even some very openly conservative folks I know have expressed concerns. It’ll be closer than it was in November.
March 29, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Early voted for Gay Valimont. No idea how this election will turn out, but even some very openly conservative folks I know have expressed concerns. It’ll be closer than it was in November.
Huge for consumers, especially military members. The CFPB is a force that regularly not only helps train military legal assistance offices but also works to solve consumer issues that uniquely harm our military (whether intentionally or not)
NEWS
In a 112-page order, a federal judge GRANTS a preliminary injunction keeping the CFPB alive as the lawsuit progresses.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson says "the Court can and must act."
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
In a 112-page order, a federal judge GRANTS a preliminary injunction keeping the CFPB alive as the lawsuit progresses.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson says "the Court can and must act."
Doc storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![In sum, the Court cannot look away or the CFPB will be dissolved and dismantled completely in approximately thirty days, well before this lawsuit has come to its conclusion. For all of the reasons set forth above, the Court will GRANT [Dkt. # 10] plaintiffs’ motion and issue a preliminary injunction that maintains the agency’s existence until this case has been resolved on the merits, reinstating and preserving the agency’s contracts, work force, data, and operational capacity, and protecting and facilitating the employees’ ability to perform statutorily required activities.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:353gzbhcjbznfxegvayffqek/bafkreih7vmwcucdcbm75gcm32kkrrb6qasydxgebm6xq3k7csgcnqyhbeq@jpeg)
March 28, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Huge for consumers, especially military members. The CFPB is a force that regularly not only helps train military legal assistance offices but also works to solve consumer issues that uniquely harm our military (whether intentionally or not)
I like how Pam Bondi caught herself revealing they pushed for the alleged MS-13 leader’s arrest (whose name isn’t released yet) over the past couple days and realized that sure sounds like this is a distraction, so then she added “probably weeks.”
(Even News Nation noted no name’s been given.)
(Even News Nation noted no name’s been given.)
March 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I like how Pam Bondi caught herself revealing they pushed for the alleged MS-13 leader’s arrest (whose name isn’t released yet) over the past couple days and realized that sure sounds like this is a distraction, so then she added “probably weeks.”
(Even News Nation noted no name’s been given.)
(Even News Nation noted no name’s been given.)
I once visited a prison like this on official business. I stood in front of a cell very similar to this one filled as this one is with “criminals.”
There isn’t anything like it. It is a harrowing experience that permanently damages your soul even when you think there’s nothing left to damage.
There isn’t anything like it. It is a harrowing experience that permanently damages your soul even when you think there’s nothing left to damage.
March 27, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I once visited a prison like this on official business. I stood in front of a cell very similar to this one filled as this one is with “criminals.”
There isn’t anything like it. It is a harrowing experience that permanently damages your soul even when you think there’s nothing left to damage.
There isn’t anything like it. It is a harrowing experience that permanently damages your soul even when you think there’s nothing left to damage.
Vance’s comments here caught my attention because they reveal a lot:
- Despite their claims, they know the economy matters and their ability to do crazy stuff depends in part on the economy;
- Their playbook is to do “messaging work” to prime their audience to accept their actions.
- Despite their claims, they know the economy matters and their ability to do crazy stuff depends in part on the economy;
- Their playbook is to do “messaging work” to prime their audience to accept their actions.
March 25, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Vance’s comments here caught my attention because they reveal a lot:
- Despite their claims, they know the economy matters and their ability to do crazy stuff depends in part on the economy;
- Their playbook is to do “messaging work” to prime their audience to accept their actions.
- Despite their claims, they know the economy matters and their ability to do crazy stuff depends in part on the economy;
- Their playbook is to do “messaging work” to prime their audience to accept their actions.
Just read an interesting piece by a recently fired AUSA. It touches on a question I’ve been grappling with: what should a govt employee do in this environment? What factors should weigh in decision to stay or go? Does it matter who relies upon you professionally? How are others handling this?
Why I'm Speaking Out – And So Should You
Until recently, I worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where I represented the United States and its agencies in civil litigation. Everything changed on ...
www.linkedin.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Just read an interesting piece by a recently fired AUSA. It touches on a question I’ve been grappling with: what should a govt employee do in this environment? What factors should weigh in decision to stay or go? Does it matter who relies upon you professionally? How are others handling this?
And anyone who stays (attorney or client) does so with the knowledge that this firm will not only sacrifice them if politically expedient, they’ll offer to process the butchered free of charge.
March 20, 2025 at 11:47 PM
And anyone who stays (attorney or client) does so with the knowledge that this firm will not only sacrifice them if politically expedient, they’ll offer to process the butchered free of charge.
Anyone else notice that the Government is asserting “months” of negotiations in securing the agreement with El Salvador?
He hasn’t been President for “months.” When exactly did these negotiations start?
He hasn’t been President for “months.” When exactly did these negotiations start?
March 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Anyone else notice that the Government is asserting “months” of negotiations in securing the agreement with El Salvador?
He hasn’t been President for “months.” When exactly did these negotiations start?
He hasn’t been President for “months.” When exactly did these negotiations start?
A lot of federal employees found strength in the past two months believing Dems would act now.
Many won’t last until Sept. Their livelihoods and, in tragic cases, their lives will be lost because Schumer was scared.
Our focus turns to working w/o their help to protect the vulnerable they failed
Many won’t last until Sept. Their livelihoods and, in tragic cases, their lives will be lost because Schumer was scared.
Our focus turns to working w/o their help to protect the vulnerable they failed
He's a weak man and a fool. This was one of the big arguments by the vote Yes Team: The moment will be more ripe in September. There's a good chance that's right, politically. But by September the federal government will be unrecognizable.
Schumer tells me Republicans might try to jam Democrats again in September, but thinks Trump will be less popular then and Republican appropriators might be more willing to stand up to him. He said they refused to do so now.
March 14, 2025 at 1:01 AM
A lot of federal employees found strength in the past two months believing Dems would act now.
Many won’t last until Sept. Their livelihoods and, in tragic cases, their lives will be lost because Schumer was scared.
Our focus turns to working w/o their help to protect the vulnerable they failed
Many won’t last until Sept. Their livelihoods and, in tragic cases, their lives will be lost because Schumer was scared.
Our focus turns to working w/o their help to protect the vulnerable they failed
Not a coincidence that DoD plans to resume probationary terminations next week. Potentially a “thanks for the CR, here’s your sign” for the Dems.
March 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Not a coincidence that DoD plans to resume probationary terminations next week. Potentially a “thanks for the CR, here’s your sign” for the Dems.
Received this handwritten note today. It proves two things: (1) some of the nation’s best, most decent people are federal employees and (2) there’s no day so bad that it cannot be markedly improved by a handwritten note.
I’ll forget most of today. I’ll keep this note forever.
I’ll forget most of today. I’ll keep this note forever.
March 12, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Received this handwritten note today. It proves two things: (1) some of the nation’s best, most decent people are federal employees and (2) there’s no day so bad that it cannot be markedly improved by a handwritten note.
I’ll forget most of today. I’ll keep this note forever.
I’ll forget most of today. I’ll keep this note forever.
The dearth of statements from Big Law isn’t surprising, but could be costly.
Many of the insanely talented lawyers recently thrust into the job market will not just look for those firms that rise to the moment, but find another gear in working for them.
Many of the insanely talented lawyers recently thrust into the job market will not just look for those firms that rise to the moment, but find another gear in working for them.
Fuck Donald Trump.
Ok, Big Law partners...Your turn.
Ok, Big Law partners...Your turn.
Trump: "We have a lot of law firms that we're going to be going after, because they were very dishonest people. They were very, very dishonest. We have a lot of law firms that we're going after."
March 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
The dearth of statements from Big Law isn’t surprising, but could be costly.
Many of the insanely talented lawyers recently thrust into the job market will not just look for those firms that rise to the moment, but find another gear in working for them.
Many of the insanely talented lawyers recently thrust into the job market will not just look for those firms that rise to the moment, but find another gear in working for them.
It really does come down to a lack of empathy. An empathetic person who saw their own child anxious and scared would see suffering in Ukraine and Gaza and want to do whatever was in their power to prevent that pain for others. #empathyisntweakness
This is classic right wing gaslighting. They do horrendous things and then complain about people being “uncivil” to them for it. And it works, for their base. They think the left are “intolerant” and “extreme” because the dead babies are far away and the American babies are on TV.
March 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
It really does come down to a lack of empathy. An empathetic person who saw their own child anxious and scared would see suffering in Ukraine and Gaza and want to do whatever was in their power to prevent that pain for others. #empathyisntweakness
Was talking to an attorney who practices in Florida’s 1st District, where Jimmy Patronis (who bears some responsibility for state of home insurance market in state) is favorite for Gaetz’s open seat.
They’re pivoting their practice to foreclosures: anticipate it’ll be big business in Florida soon.
They’re pivoting their practice to foreclosures: anticipate it’ll be big business in Florida soon.
March 7, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Was talking to an attorney who practices in Florida’s 1st District, where Jimmy Patronis (who bears some responsibility for state of home insurance market in state) is favorite for Gaetz’s open seat.
They’re pivoting their practice to foreclosures: anticipate it’ll be big business in Florida soon.
They’re pivoting their practice to foreclosures: anticipate it’ll be big business in Florida soon.
As a veteran who has tried multiple times to use the VA for mental health care, I can tell you the current VA system is already dangerously long and cumbersome even when it simply cannot afford to be.
This jeopardizes lives needlessly.
This jeopardizes lives needlessly.
Apropos, new research in the American Economic Review finds that longer waits for mental health specialists in the VA leads to more veterans dying.
www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
March 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
As a veteran who has tried multiple times to use the VA for mental health care, I can tell you the current VA system is already dangerously long and cumbersome even when it simply cannot afford to be.
This jeopardizes lives needlessly.
This jeopardizes lives needlessly.
Reposted by The Spoon in the Road
jesus fucking christ, man, it gets really tired noting this kind of thing, but "[veterans] aren't fit to have a job or aren't willing to come to work" is the kind of headline that should absolutely destroy a fucking administration and would, if that administration were led by a democrat
Alina Habba on veterans who have been fired from government jobs: "Perhaps they're not fit to have a job at this moment."
March 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
jesus fucking christ, man, it gets really tired noting this kind of thing, but "[veterans] aren't fit to have a job or aren't willing to come to work" is the kind of headline that should absolutely destroy a fucking administration and would, if that administration were led by a democrat
If you’re entitled to and need any service from a military office (finance, claims, legal, new ID card, etc), I recommend you get to your nearest one ASAP. Availability is not what it was a month ago.
March 4, 2025 at 1:19 AM
If you’re entitled to and need any service from a military office (finance, claims, legal, new ID card, etc), I recommend you get to your nearest one ASAP. Availability is not what it was a month ago.
In 2023, there were roughly 778,000 Appropriated Fund DOD employees. demographics.militaryonesource.mil/chapter-1-to...
If they each just spent only 6 minutes working on their “5 bullets” today and average pay is $100k ($48/hr), we spent $3.7M on unencrypted emails about bullets. (1/2)
If they each just spent only 6 minutes working on their “5 bullets” today and average pay is $100k ($48/hr), we spent $3.7M on unencrypted emails about bullets. (1/2)
March 4, 2025 at 1:02 AM
In 2023, there were roughly 778,000 Appropriated Fund DOD employees. demographics.militaryonesource.mil/chapter-1-to...
If they each just spent only 6 minutes working on their “5 bullets” today and average pay is $100k ($48/hr), we spent $3.7M on unencrypted emails about bullets. (1/2)
If they each just spent only 6 minutes working on their “5 bullets” today and average pay is $100k ($48/hr), we spent $3.7M on unencrypted emails about bullets. (1/2)
For anyone getting instructions verbally, it’s always a good practice to email afterwards explaining what you understand the requirements to be and asking for confirmation.
If that also generates a paper trail that protects you when you’re invariably pushed under the bus, so be it.
If that also generates a paper trail that protects you when you’re invariably pushed under the bus, so be it.
No one wants a paper trail because spending funds Congress has not appropriated is colloquially known as “stealing from the US Treasury.”
March 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
For anyone getting instructions verbally, it’s always a good practice to email afterwards explaining what you understand the requirements to be and asking for confirmation.
If that also generates a paper trail that protects you when you’re invariably pushed under the bus, so be it.
If that also generates a paper trail that protects you when you’re invariably pushed under the bus, so be it.
And the members of that orchestra aren’t on some single team: they’re often spread out across an agency and use the relationships they’ve built over careers to pull the right people in at the right time.
It looks easy from the outside, but it takes years to make it appear that way.
It looks easy from the outside, but it takes years to make it appear that way.
I'll also add that without all the agency staff clearing that path to make it possible for me to help them, there's just no way this would've worked out. It wasn't me, right? There were like 20+ different people aligning across silos.
A conductor w/o an orchestra is just a goof waving their arms
A conductor w/o an orchestra is just a goof waving their arms
March 2, 2025 at 1:18 AM
And the members of that orchestra aren’t on some single team: they’re often spread out across an agency and use the relationships they’ve built over careers to pull the right people in at the right time.
It looks easy from the outside, but it takes years to make it appear that way.
It looks easy from the outside, but it takes years to make it appear that way.
In the DOD, we have orgs that are mixed military and civilian: the civilians are usually vets and have vastly more experience than the military: they keep things running and mentor the military.
On my team, my civilians have on avg 15X more experience than my most experienced AD person. (1/3)
On my team, my civilians have on avg 15X more experience than my most experienced AD person. (1/3)
March 2, 2025 at 1:05 AM
In the DOD, we have orgs that are mixed military and civilian: the civilians are usually vets and have vastly more experience than the military: they keep things running and mentor the military.
On my team, my civilians have on avg 15X more experience than my most experienced AD person. (1/3)
On my team, my civilians have on avg 15X more experience than my most experienced AD person. (1/3)