Reposted by Keith Rutter
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
Increasing Oversight of the Relief of Military Leaders
Congress can stop the politicization of the armed services and reverse the defense secretary’s abuse of power.
www.pogo.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Pete Hegseth "is removing capable military leaders for political theater rather than actual performance concerns": @pogo.org Senior Defense Policy Analyst Virginia Burger explains why Congress must strengthen oversight of the removal of senior military officers www.pogo.org/analysis/inc...
Happiness is seeing a late Great Blue Heron flying at dusk to their roosting spot
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Happiness is seeing a late Great Blue Heron flying at dusk to their roosting spot
On this morning’s walk every tree was filled with Robins
November 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
On this morning’s walk every tree was filled with Robins
New month. All new birds!
November 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
New month. All new birds!
A huge flock of about 90 Robins flew by this morning. Just an amazing site.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
October 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A huge flock of about 90 Robins flew by this morning. Just an amazing site.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
BTW they were flying north which cracked me up.
I haven’t checked my records but it seems like the Chipping Sparrows are sticking around the neighborhood longer this year. I appreciate them, but am curious as to why.
October 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I haven’t checked my records but it seems like the Chipping Sparrows are sticking around the neighborhood longer this year. I appreciate them, but am curious as to why.
Hermit Thrush in the backyard makes getting up before dawn worth it
October 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Hermit Thrush in the backyard makes getting up before dawn worth it
Reposted by Keith Rutter
Must-read analysis from two POGO experts:
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pentagon Press Restrictions – Experts Weigh In
A Pulitzer Prize-winning Pentagon reporter and former USMC press officer reflect on the latest restrictions from Hegseth’s DOD.
www.pogo.org
October 16, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Must-read analysis from two POGO experts:
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
Pulitzer-winner Mark Thompson and former USMC press officer @virginiajburger.bsky.social reflect on the latest restrictions from the DOD⬇️
At Blue Mash this evening the pond that some birders call Big Louie was very dry. Only 30% full.
October 17, 2025 at 12:54 AM
At Blue Mash this evening the pond that some birders call Big Louie was very dry. Only 30% full.
Early October and already a Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch show up in the neighborhood.
October 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Early October and already a Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch show up in the neighborhood.
On this morning’s walk around the neighborhood the big dogs were out - had a Barred Owl, Red-shoulder, Coop, and a Raven. All by 7:30
October 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
On this morning’s walk around the neighborhood the big dogs were out - had a Barred Owl, Red-shoulder, Coop, and a Raven. All by 7:30
By 7 am I had 3 new birds for my day list. Great birding day so far. Either that or I previously haven’t got out much on Oct 1. 🤪
October 1, 2025 at 11:10 AM
By 7 am I had 3 new birds for my day list. Great birding day so far. Either that or I previously haven’t got out much on Oct 1. 🤪
First Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season this morning
October 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
First Golden-crowned Kinglet of the season this morning
Reposted by Keith Rutter
bsky.app/profile/mdhe... are you working on something like this? (Please do)
August 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
bsky.app/profile/mdhe... are you working on something like this? (Please do)
Neighborhood walk this morning turned up a cuckoo, 2 green herons- twice the fun, and a great blue heron - flyover, but it still counts. 🤓
July 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Neighborhood walk this morning turned up a cuckoo, 2 green herons- twice the fun, and a great blue heron - flyover, but it still counts. 🤓
Reposted by Keith Rutter
The former city council president, Ben Stuckart, was charged with conspiracy, as were all but two of the other named defendants. (Hatfield and Silva also were charged with assault).
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Spokane ICE protesters arrested by federal agents
Federal agents on Tuesday morning arrested and searched the homes of multiple people who took part in a June 11 mass protest against immigration enforcement in Spokane.
www.spokesman.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:33 AM
The former city council president, Ben Stuckart, was charged with conspiracy, as were all but two of the other named defendants. (Hatfield and Silva also were charged with assault).
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Excellent coverage at The Spokesman-Review, but it didn't have the document: www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...
Reposted by Keith Rutter
Want to shape defense policy, not just read about it?
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
Save your spot—sign up now!
zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
Save your spot—sign up now!
zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Training: Advocacy & The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual law that Congress passes to appropriate funding and establish policies for national defense. It covers things like: the Department of Defense...
zoom.us
July 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Want to shape defense policy, not just read about it?
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
Save your spot—sign up now!
zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Join our free NDAA virtual training, Jul 16 6PM ET
Learn:
• How the funding process really works
• Why it matters for military families, resources & readiness
• How you can add your voice
Save your spot—sign up now!
zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Also found a hatcher year Phoebe on the walk this morning. Good luck lil buddy
July 4, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Also found a hatcher year Phoebe on the walk this morning. Good luck lil buddy
Got a Warbling Vireo for the first time in the neighborhood. :)
July 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Got a Warbling Vireo for the first time in the neighborhood. :)
We just had a Chat at a local park. I definitely should have played the lottery today.
July 3, 2025 at 12:50 AM
We just had a Chat at a local park. I definitely should have played the lottery today.
A cuckoo in the neighborhood this morning is exciting
July 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A cuckoo in the neighborhood this morning is exciting
Reposted by Keith Rutter
While this ruling takes no clear position on the constitutionality of the admin's birthright citizenship EO, it's still dangerous.
Limiting ways people can be protected from authoritarianism facilitates the very trampling of the Constitution #SCOTUS has a duty to stop
Limiting ways people can be protected from authoritarianism facilitates the very trampling of the Constitution #SCOTUS has a duty to stop
BREAKING: Supreme Court limits universal injunctions issued by federal courts in birthright citizenship case decision
Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship order
At issue was how the lower courts should handle President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, which limited citizenship only to children born of parents with permanent status to be in the U.S.
n.pr
June 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
While this ruling takes no clear position on the constitutionality of the admin's birthright citizenship EO, it's still dangerous.
Limiting ways people can be protected from authoritarianism facilitates the very trampling of the Constitution #SCOTUS has a duty to stop
Limiting ways people can be protected from authoritarianism facilitates the very trampling of the Constitution #SCOTUS has a duty to stop
Reposted by Keith Rutter
THIS! On top of today’s Senate Judiciary hearing where judicial nominee Emil Bove is alleged to have encouraged DOJ to defy court orders. The Administration’s efforts to delegitimize the courts is breathtaking. And is a classic authoritarian move.
🚨 The DOJ suing every federal judge in Maryland isn’t just unprecedented — it’s an attack on the independence of the courts.
This isn’t about process. It’s about punishing judges for rulings the administration doesn’t like. That’s authoritarianism 101. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
This isn’t about process. It’s about punishing judges for rulings the administration doesn’t like. That’s authoritarianism 101. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Trump DOJ sues all federal judges in Maryland over deportation order
Legal experts described the move as an attack on judicial independence. The DOJ said its goal was to preserve Trump’s constitutional authority over immigration.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
THIS! On top of today’s Senate Judiciary hearing where judicial nominee Emil Bove is alleged to have encouraged DOJ to defy court orders. The Administration’s efforts to delegitimize the courts is breathtaking. And is a classic authoritarian move.
Reposted by Keith Rutter
The strikes against Iran are the latest in a series of presidential power grabs that threaten to not only contradict the Constitution, but to condemn “We The People” to spectator status. Here's what Congress must do now:
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
Iran and the War Powers Problem
The Constitution gives Congress – not the president – the power to declare war.
www.pogo.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The strikes against Iran are the latest in a series of presidential power grabs that threaten to not only contradict the Constitution, but to condemn “We The People” to spectator status. Here's what Congress must do now:
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
www.pogo.org/analysis/ira...
While Phoebes are usually in the neighborhood, they are rarely in my yard. In this heat, a Phoebe right outside the window is a reason to give thanks.
June 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
While Phoebes are usually in the neighborhood, they are rarely in my yard. In this heat, a Phoebe right outside the window is a reason to give thanks.