Rich Okulski
@polishwxguy.bsky.social
Retired Meteorologist in Charge and former Army officer.
The 1920s America First policy paid dividends through most of the decade. The economic collapse (1929) was followed by the existential military threat (National Socialist Germany and Imperial Japan) a decade later.
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The 1920s America First policy paid dividends through most of the decade. The economic collapse (1929) was followed by the existential military threat (National Socialist Germany and Imperial Japan) a decade later.
Hmm...student loan forgiveness?
November 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Hmm...student loan forgiveness?
I had a conversation with a former neighbor in October 2024. Started with weather control and FEMA not being in NC. Moved on to what would happen to federal employees in a second term. She didn't believe a word of what I said even though federal meteorology was my profession for 32 years.
November 15, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I had a conversation with a former neighbor in October 2024. Started with weather control and FEMA not being in NC. Moved on to what would happen to federal employees in a second term. She didn't believe a word of what I said even though federal meteorology was my profession for 32 years.
Combining operations and research into one line office is a short sighted idea which will cause scientific stagnation in the coming years. The requirement to "run the railroad" will stifle applied innovation.
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Combining operations and research into one line office is a short sighted idea which will cause scientific stagnation in the coming years. The requirement to "run the railroad" will stifle applied innovation.
Departments and agencies are often frugal during CRs to mitigate the risk of anti-deficiency if the full year appropriations come in leaner than anticipated. The language in the proposed CR indicates very austere budgets through 1/30/26.
November 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Departments and agencies are often frugal during CRs to mitigate the risk of anti-deficiency if the full year appropriations come in leaner than anticipated. The language in the proposed CR indicates very austere budgets through 1/30/26.
Caving in to protect the filibuster makes that legislative tool almost useless moving forward. What keeps the head of state and the Senate majority from making future threats to get what they want?
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Caving in to protect the filibuster makes that legislative tool almost useless moving forward. What keeps the head of state and the Senate majority from making future threats to get what they want?
"No one can serve two masters. For he will either hate the one and the love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24
November 9, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"No one can serve two masters. For he will either hate the one and the love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24
Three months of time off in their home districts must be boring them.
November 6, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Three months of time off in their home districts must be boring them.
One of the best Speakers in our nation's history. Admired her courage and conviction in this challenging era.
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 PM
One of the best Speakers in our nation's history. Admired her courage and conviction in this challenging era.
The government played down or denied for years the sporadic WMD incidents during the First Gulf War including the Khamisiyah munitions depot demolition (sarin gas). I was a combat engineer officer in Safwan at the time. The government's eagerness to play up WMD twelve years later made me suspicious.
November 4, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The government played down or denied for years the sporadic WMD incidents during the First Gulf War including the Khamisiyah munitions depot demolition (sarin gas). I was a combat engineer officer in Safwan at the time. The government's eagerness to play up WMD twelve years later made me suspicious.
So many career senior executives and GS-15s retired this year, because of what you highlighted in this article.
November 3, 2025 at 10:14 PM
So many career senior executives and GS-15s retired this year, because of what you highlighted in this article.
I'm with Morty Seinfeld and the morning people gang. Didn't care for late day meetings. Compromised with the night owls on my staffs.
November 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I'm with Morty Seinfeld and the morning people gang. Didn't care for late day meetings. Compromised with the night owls on my staffs.
The store doesn't want customers to give their two cents worth. The store could round prices to either a 0 or 5. U.S. Army Europe stores did that 35 years ago. Loved not having to deal with pennies!
November 2, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The store doesn't want customers to give their two cents worth. The store could round prices to either a 0 or 5. U.S. Army Europe stores did that 35 years ago. Loved not having to deal with pennies!
The Jamaicans will need an immense amount of international humanitarian aid and quickly. Think Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria (2017), except one category more powerful.
October 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The Jamaicans will need an immense amount of international humanitarian aid and quickly. Think Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria (2017), except one category more powerful.
Think Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria (2017), except one category more powerful. The Jamaicans will need an immense amount of international humanitarian aid and in short order.
October 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Think Puerto Rico and Hurricane Maria (2017), except one category more powerful. The Jamaicans will need an immense amount of international humanitarian aid and in short order.
Just noticed they went 180 mph at 9 am.
October 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Just noticed they went 180 mph at 9 am.
A sub 900 mb TC at landfall. Does NHC go 180+ mph sustained winds at the 11 AM EDT advisory?
October 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A sub 900 mb TC at landfall. Does NHC go 180+ mph sustained winds at the 11 AM EDT advisory?
Howard Cosell left ABC's Monday Night Football at the end of the 1983 season due to the outrage from him calling a black Redskins wide receiver "a little monkey." Hard to believe the USA has regressed in race relations more than 40 years.
October 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Howard Cosell left ABC's Monday Night Football at the end of the 1983 season due to the outrage from him calling a black Redskins wide receiver "a little monkey." Hard to believe the USA has regressed in race relations more than 40 years.
Media accompanied my combat engineer battalion at times during demolition missions after the Desert Storm ceasefire. The platoon leaders engaged the reporters, explained mission safety rules, and why we were doing it. Helped the folks back home understand the mission wasn't over yet.
October 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Media accompanied my combat engineer battalion at times during demolition missions after the Desert Storm ceasefire. The platoon leaders engaged the reporters, explained mission safety rules, and why we were doing it. Helped the folks back home understand the mission wasn't over yet.
A German woman looked at me in horror at Wawel Cathedral this spring when I told her in German that I am an American. Her expression made me so sad as a former Army officer who helped liberate Kuwait at substantial personal cost and served in NATO at the end of The Cold War.
October 14, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A German woman looked at me in horror at Wawel Cathedral this spring when I told her in German that I am an American. Her expression made me so sad as a former Army officer who helped liberate Kuwait at substantial personal cost and served in NATO at the end of The Cold War.
Once the lapse ends, Congress appropriates funds for the length of a continuing resolution at FY25 levels. The CR is retroactive to Oct 1, therefore the salaries of employees in all departments are covered.
October 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Once the lapse ends, Congress appropriates funds for the length of a continuing resolution at FY25 levels. The CR is retroactive to Oct 1, therefore the salaries of employees in all departments are covered.
First profession: Fire in the hole.
Second profession: Helene not turning left.
Second profession: Helene not turning left.
October 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
First profession: Fire in the hole.
Second profession: Helene not turning left.
Second profession: Helene not turning left.