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[Frumple]

I'd been half wondering about that last bit. Seems kinda' questionable how much it'd help. During previous admins, or a less self-destructive one, sure, but tugging on bureaucratic levers kinda' requires the levers to be there and vaguely functional. Whereas unfilled posts and malfunction have been a consistent refrain for this administration.

[misko27]

I'm not sure, to be honest. From the description of the article, his skillset includes knowing when the take internal fights public and going around bureaucracy. While admittedly a lot of people are able to do that in this administration due to a general lack of harder rules, it doesn't mean his skillset isn't worthwhile/terrifying. After all, access to Trump = influence, and he might be better able to get that access.

[Trekkin]

Surprising to see such openness from an official like this. Usually, it takes weeks before they find their voice. I wonder if that means he was removed out of nowhere or if it was just the breaking point.

It wasn't random; there was at one point a plan to announce Shulkin's, McMasters', and Tillerson's departures simultaneously, which Trump ruined by tweet-firing Tillerson early. Shulkin knew he was going to be removed, but not when.

[hector13]

Not quite Ameripol, but tangential I s’pose: Cambridge Analytica stuff.

[Ghills]

Not quite Ameripol, but tangential I s’pose: Cambridge Analytica stuff.

The past few months have really confirmed that my decision to avoid Facebook was correct. I've been wavering on that lately because so much stuff goes through it, but nope, definitely not something I want in on.

ETA: On Bolton, I think unfortunately this is an administration that he could do real damage in.

He's being given a position with actual power were Bush gave him a diplomatic position without actual command. He knows how and when to fight dirty, which Trump will respond well to and which other members of this administration have been blindsided by. He's decent at personal politics, which means he'll probably be able to get Trump on his side.  He and Trump can find common ground in their violent outlook, which isn't something Trump gets from other members of the administration.

Even if Bolton can't stand Trump - he's a smart intellectual type and Trump is not - Bolton can use his position to start working towards his goals and influence people near Trump and possibly the security agencies. I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of Trump's associates find themselves rapidly outflanked when it comes to soft power in the executive branch. 

Of course, at this point I also wouldn't be surprised by much. 

[martinuzz]

The Trump administration now wants people who apply for a US visum to diclose their social media usernames, and all e-mail adresses and telephone  numbers they have been using for the past five years.

The new rules apply only to the D-160 application form, so Western countries with white people, for now, are excluded from the new rule.

Heh, if this ever applies to Western countries as well, I guess I can never come visit the US. No one is going to believe that I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING FACEBOOK ACCOUNT. Nor Twatter, or Instakilo. Sorry, no mobile phone number either for the past 8 years.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Note that it's also still a proposal. I'm not sure if HomeSec has the latitude to just change it under executive powers (though I wouldn't be surprised), but if not it's gotta face Congress.

[Draignean]

I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING FACEBUG ACCOUNT.

FTFY.

[Karnewarrior]

My facebook is and remains inactive save for sporadic posts with sometimes years between them.

Of course, I'm an Amerifat, so I'm apparently the Ubermensch. Although I'm also a democrat, so maybe I'm just a race traitor.

What's insidious is that they'd probably deny entry to people not possessing facebook accounts, thus being able to put a blanket ban on those damn, dirty, educated but poor african immigrants... And Mexicans.

We may as well be putting up signs that say "YOU MUST SMELL WHITE TO PASS".

[Trekkin]

What's insidious is that they'd probably deny entry to people not possessing facebook accounts, thus being able to put a blanket ban on those damn, dirty, educated but poor african immigrants... And Mexicans.

Or the obvious security risk posed by people who encrypt their social media accounts using the infamous "Español" cipher, as yet unbroken by ICE.

[scriver]

What's insidious is that they'd probably deny entry to people not possessing facebook accounts, thus being able to put a blanket ban on those damn, dirty, educated but poor african immigrants... And Mexicans.

I think you are widely underestimating people's propensity to use social media.

[Dunamisdeos]

Both of those groups have facebook.

Also, I move to add kershuffle to the thread title since there has been yet more shuffling to date. This would make it "reshuffle shuffle kershuffle".

[Folly]

Higgledy Diggledy Dump,
There once was a beast called The Trump,
With a face like a pumpkin,
And the brain of a Dumbkin,
His hands were just little stumps.

[martinuzz]

On a scale from 1 to Vogon, I rate that a 42

[redwallzyl]

Higgledy Diggledy Dump,
There once was a beast called The Trump,
With a face like a pumpkin,
And the brain of a Dumbkin,
His hands were just little stumps.

Amusingly I have third hand confirmation that he does in fact have tiny hands. Also that he is a moron.