Politics

[CJW]

The father had the Exclusive Right to designate the religion for the child. It's the mother fault for allowing that as an Exclusive Right and not an Independent Right. All that said, the Judges' order does go too far restricting the Child's friends. I suspect, the order will be upheld in part and reversed in part.

Did the mother really have a say in the matter?

 

[Altitude sickness]

Hopefully Zelenskyy refuses to sign the “deal”
Or gets half of it removed

 

[steve white]

Can't believe Ukraine would agree to this. Also, this type of deal will only embolden Putin. Europe should be very concerned.

Will this be Trump's "Neville Chamberlain moment?" Peace in our time?

Ukraine's president is under growing pressure. Here are 5 things to know

The president of Ukraine is facing a confluence of crises testing his ability to lead an increasingly weary nation nearly four years into a devastating full-scale invasion by Russia.

apnews.com

Putin no longer has the wherewithal to be emboldened.

 

[steve white]

You want your blonde comedian back? You can bloody have her!!View attachment 727913

Comedian? when was she ever funny?

 

[Brent in Az]

Comedian? when was she ever funny?

Word has it, that she's a nasty Sea Hag behind the scenes, and people don't like working with her.

 

[Hunt anything]

Looks like Marjorie Taylor Green is resigning!

 

[Trophyhunter01]

She just wanted in for the 5 years to get the $139k pension per year.

 

[Aaron N]

Looks like Mamdani is Trumps new best friend. How does his base feel about that?

 

[wesheltonj]

Looks like Mamdani is Trumps new best friend. How does his base feel about that?

Till tomorrow

 

[Aaron N]

Till tomorrow

Do you think he will make it that long, or will there be a 1am truth post coming shortly

 

[spike.t]

Ukraine's allies hold talks on White House peace plan at G20

The gathering in South Africa comes as US President Donald Trump gives Ukraine until Thursday to agree to the deal.

www.bbc.com

 

[Brent in Az]

Trump ending TPS for Somalis in Minnesota.

Omar meltdown in 3...2...1

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

She just wanted in for the 5 years to get the $139k pension per year.

Source? I think that figure is wildly inaccurate.

For Members of Congress covered by FERS after December 31, 2012, the accrual rate for congressional service covered by FERS is 1.0% per year of service.

With 5 years service, the pension is more like $8700 per year and deferred until age 62.

$174,000 x 0.01 x 5 years = $8700 / yr

There were 619 retired Members of Congress receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service as of October 1, 2022. Of this number, 261 had retired under CSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $84,504. A total of 358 Members had retired with service under FERS and were receiving an average annual pension of $45,276 in 2023.

Members become vested in (legally entitled to) a pension benefit under CSRS or FERS after five years of service. The age and service requirements for retirement eligibility are determined by the plan under which a Member is covered at the time of retirement, regardless of whether he or she has previous service covered under a different plan.<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL30631#fn13" name="ifn13" title="Active-duty military service can be counted toward retirement eligibility, but not toward five-year vesting. In order for military service to count toward the amount of one's retirement annuity, the individual must deposit in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund the amount that would have been withheld if retirement deductions had been made during the person's years of military service, plus accrued interest on this amount. For more information, see CRS Report R40428, Credit for...">13</a> Depending on a Member's age and years of service, a pension can be taken immediately upon separating from service or only on a deferred basis. Likewise, the Member's age and years of service, as well as the starting date of the annuity, will determine whether he or she is eligible for a full pension or a reduced pension.

Retirement with a deferred, full pension is available at the age of 62 to former Members of Congress with at least 5 years of federal service.

Under P.L. 113-67, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, federal employees hired (or rehired with less than five years of FERS service) after December 31, 2013, are subject to further increased FERS contributions. Regular FERS employees first hired after 2013 contribute 4.4% of pay to their FERS annuity. Members of Congress first covered by FERS after 2013 and congressional employees first hired after 2013 also contribute 4.4% of pay. Currently, employing agencies contribute 13.1% of pay for regular FERS employees and Members of Congress, and 15.2% of pay for congressional employees. Members and employees enrolled in FERS also contribute 6.2% of pay up to the Social Security taxable wage base to the Social Security trust fund. Their employing agencies also contribute an additional 6.2% on the same wage base to the Social Security trust fund.

Social Security Payroll Taxes

All Members of Congress pay Social Security payroll taxes, regardless of their other retirement plan coverage. The Social Security tax rate of 6.2% applies to gross wages up to $160,200 in 2023, which is the Social Security taxable wage base. The Social Security taxable wage base is usually adjusted each year for wage growth in the economy.<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RL30631#fn23" name="ifn23" title="Social Security taxes are levied on gross wages. They are not deducted for purposes of det ermining adjusted gross income. The taxable wage base increases only in those years where a Social Security c ost-of- l iving a djustment is payable.">23</a> Members of Congress, like all other workers covered by Social Security, pay Medicare Hospital Insurance taxes on all earnings at a rate of 1.45% of pay.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Europe on the reality with a war with Russia

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce91zvnrz0lo

UK lacks plan to defend itself from invasion, MPs warn

A highly critical report says the UK does not have the resources it needs to deal with complex military threats.

www.bbc.com

 

[Altitude sickness]

That BBC report is flawed in many ways. (shocker).

Sure there may not be a detailed by the minute step-by-step plan on how Norway links up with Poland and goes into this or that region of Russia. I’ll guarantee you that within days they would have that sorted out.

The old Bear would have its hands full getting entangled with several European countries individually. you add in Norway, Finland, Poland, and many many more and people would be feeling sorry for Russia it would be so decisive.

Russia may get a few nukes off, but they are surrounded by competent nuclear powers. Between internal mutinies, not willing to launch nukes and a high percentage of launch and accuracy issues. And if the US got involved, taking out most of their communication, command and control.

It’s a snaggletooth, broken tooth, rotten tooth, Bear growling.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Ukraine's allies hold talks on White House peace plan at G20

The gathering in South Africa comes as US President Donald Trump gives Ukraine until Thursday to agree to the deal.

www.bbc.com

Trump's hubris, particularly on this, makes me want to vomit.

I will never understand why he is so favorable to Putin. He occasionally gives lip service to dealing with him differently... and never does.

Every time he does or says somewhat is clearly favorable to Putin, this is what I see.

 

[Tanks]

Pretty good assessment here.

Opinion | Trump Issues an Ultimatum to Ukraine — The Wall Street Journal

His latest peace offer fulfills Vladimir Putin’s wishes and leaves Kyiv with a terrible choice.

apple.news

 

[WAB]

Schumer, Jeffries accuse Trump of calling for 'execution of elected officials'

Congressional Democrats warned Trump's "seditious conspiracy" accusations against six lawmakers would encourage political violence.

www.foxnews.com

Trump is as easily baited as a four-year-old. What the Democrats with their video did was an obvious political stunt to anyone with the remotest iota of common sense. Trump's response was better than they could have ever hoped. If he has no control over himself, how will anyone continue to trust he has control over events. The economy, supposedly his great strength, is like a millstone around the party's neck headed toward the mid-terms. Instead of addressing those issues coherently, he makes himself look ridiculous.

Totally agree. He single-handedly turned this from a loss to a win for the Dems.

 

[WAB]

Those video comments were most certainly seditious and deserved the most direct and pointed response by Trump. You all better get on Al Green’s impeachment bandwagon. Pick a side,

The appropriate response was to either ignore it, or if warranted, initiate a focused investigation resulting in accountability if proven justified. His comment about the death penalty was ridiculous and put the administration on defense. If you can’t see that I fear you are blinded by ‘Trump Can Do No Wrong’ Syndrome.

 

[cwpayton]

Maine's Judiciary is clearly Athiest-Marxist. I cannot believe this ruling:

Maine Mom Challenges Court Order Forbidding Her to Take Daughter to Church

The girl’s father, who never married her mother, claims church is causing her “psychological harm.” A district court agreed.

thenewamerican.com

this crap is unbelievable how much longer will we endure this, although Im not a proponent of said church I fully support anyones right to attend thats wants too , even too the point of disobedience to the mighty government of Rome, excuse me ,Maine