I had no idea the Canadian flag was that young.

This is my shocked face.

TIL that Cooper was selected by the Cardinals in the 1970 Rule 5 draft from the Red Sox, and then returned to Sox after spring training in 1971.

But I want you to ponder the implications of this literal Bond villain being given the keys to so many aspects of our government, and to consider his motivations and self-interests as he continues to do what he’s doing.

#USAID

I say this not out self-preservation or self-interest; I don’t think my job is at risk, although in these last two weeks, now that we’ve sailed straight through the looking glass, who knows?

So to see Elon Musk tear USAID down so quickly and with such callous glee (he boasted on X that he “spent the weekend feeding USAID into the woodchipper” and that “USAID is evil” and that “USAID must die”) is upsetting and ominous.

I helped out on searches for other USAID-funded projects, most of them focused on bringing potable drinking water and sanitary sewer systems to developing countries in Africa, providing massive gains in the fundamental quality of life for these underserved areas.

I was able to recruit an appropriate candidate for the role, and I’ve remained in the civil engineering industry since then, which has given me a career satisfaction that I value greatly.