17D_guy
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Everything posted by 17D_guy
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Welp, I'm sure they'll figure it out with this coming - Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts Also getting rid of probationary means people that have moved positions as well, and a ton of vets. So, if you had a shit hot tech person that moved into a supervisory position last year -- thanks for your service your performance isn't good enough and you're out. Personal anecdote, wife's gig hired a new tech lead last year...still on probation, the old tech lead got a new position higher up to better inform leadership of test capes for F22...still on probation. Same thing they just did to VA nurses (2 year probationary period), seasonal firefighters (def won't be a problem here in the West...), etc. Meanwhile my state leg is trying to get rid of mail in voting because...well no reason. They've got an R super-majority but apparently some foreign influence campaign is going to flip UT blue next election? Also setting the standards for ballot initiatives even harder than legislators have, and to get rid of the FOIA agency and make it a single person accountable only to the Gov. You know, anti-representative democracy stuff. Yea, haven't read it yet. Like I said before, while we disagree on a lot I still value the input here. The tax and home examples a few pages back were fucking money for discussion.
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Thoughts on the new EO where only the Pres and AG can interpret the laws? Or Trump saying Ukraine shouldn't have started the war?
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Often getting a Amazon warehouse or other large corp HQ comes with corresponding tax cuts/breaks from the local/state governments. So, we got an inland port up where I'm working, for the next 10~15 years the owners of that port are paying severely reduced taxes compared to other businesses in the area. Idea is to spur growth obviously. Is that passed on to the businesses who utilize said inland port? No idea. I legit have no strong feeling either way about that. Additionally, these large corp's have armies of tax lawyers looking for ways to categorize for tax savings, and Amazon itself has many sub-business arrangements under the Amazon umbrella (ex. AWS) that allow for further tax savings (ex. R&D like I mentioned before). Finally, there's the whole revenue vs. profit and how that applies to taxes. Also not a tax lawyer. EDIT: As a nerd, the story of how AWS came to be is pretty cool.
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Fair, I've hated the 1% saying. It's more the .1% that are "the problem." Technically I'm in the 1% as well according to some metrics. But as I said in another post, I ain't "hide my money like an oligarch rich" and my stock investments aren't ever going to make a dent in the percentage of ownership of a company. But, with the flat tax how is that going to work with the Bezo's, Musk's, et al who use loans on their stock as their means of acquisition/funding? Does this include a flat tax on corporations, no more R&D deductions for example? The rich can also pay cash to avoid these taxes, a la "the greek experience" 😁. The flat tax has been shown to hit the poor harder than the current system. I don't know everyone's experience here, but I feel like a lot of you haven't interacted with many poor people regularly. I have them in my family, and because of my political/religious leanings I deal with them regularly. The majority of them aren't lazy, do nothings. Most are working at least one job, or have a disability of some kind, or medical challenges that are just outside their control. Note, I say all this with a son who has rejected every leg up I could provide (Tricare/GI bill/VA ed benefits) who completely fits the bandied about poor person trope on here. But again...kid has some mental disabilities he's no longer taking meds for. SIGH....
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I'm 100% T&P. Some days I do great and feel like the disability is fraud; some days I can barely get out of bed and realize why it's there. Basically every joint from L4 down is jacked up. Either way the rating is a roll of the dice. I'd hate to go on a good day and be told I've been faking it. Or get means tested and since I make so much get it cut off...then get laid-off/fired (PTO just got changed where I work) and be in the wind. Doubly worried since the wife is a DAF Civ... That doesn't even go into the tax "benefits" of being a disabled vet and possibly losing them.
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So we all cool with the Democratic Mayor of New York City getting his bribery case dismissed since he jumped on the immigration band wagon? Then the DOJ getting the resignation of the primary prosecutor, then firing the prosecutors who wouldn't dismiss the case? Nice Quid pro quo.
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It's fixed now but...lol. Also...why isn't the White House included in the "bureaucracy"?
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For my conservative bros/chicks here - thoughts on RFK being confirmed, or Tulsi as DNI? I don't know enough about Tulsi to give real opinion. I was/am deeply concerned with RFK. I also think it's hilarious how a decade ago the vaccine nuts (and playboy models) were all Left, and now it's shifted Right.
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How do you account for the red-states that receive more in federal funding than blue states? As someone (and friend's) who's moved into the "productive class" since retiring I've learned something about the taxes: we pay a lot because we're not rich enough to get the breaks or have the capital (yet) to either avoid most of these taxes, or just eat the fines/audits. @M2 fucking excellent on that one. I busted that image out for one of my morning meetings and all the vets groaned.
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Cool. It'll make all those Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome complaints invalid too. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency-workforce-optimization-initiative/ Looks like the RIF for gov't is now coming. With "individuals identified as non-essential during appropriations lapses" as first targets. Ah, loved having to go from a 24/7 positions with appropriate manning of AD and civ's, to pulling constant 12s because the civ's were "non-essential." I'm sure the F22 capes and test program out at the base(s) near me will be 100% protected. Oh wait, nope a chunk of them got "non-essential during appropriations lapses." Guess those F22 capes can wait. Also, making DOGE Team Lead sound an awful lot like Commissars; The Emperor protects.
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The irony here is amazing
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Damn...I'd rather have that too.
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Tech upgrades are good and necessary, but they need more trained people that have to be compensated at a rate that is above "do it for America." That is not in the blueprint put forward by this administration. Lets do a crazy prediction: before June Elon says they're going to replace ATC w/ AI by 2027.
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I'm honestly surprised we're talking about the forced migration of the long-term inhabitants of the land like the Trail of Tears was a good thing, and it's "different" than the Soviet's doing the same to Ukraine (and other satellite countries they invaded during/after WW-dos) under Stalin. I'm often wrong, and again hope that I am; but I don't see anyway that region just goes along with that. It's nation building in a different color of crayon, which I thought we wanted to stop doing? I know I do. Would this "extreme ideology" disqualifier also extend to the Israeli (huh, spelled it right the first time) settlers that would apply? Note - I'm newly back, and not asking shit to be snarky or going to make rude comments. I'm here to understand in a forum I'm clearly an outlier in but we have a shared experience that makes comms easier in some ways.
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Come on man, we all know what he's doing with that statement.
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I knew where this would end up and still loved the journey and destination.
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Holy shit, I forgot about the 2014 O6 debacle. Thanks for that call back. I was just musing with the wife about the RIF where too many people signed up, so they closed it and said your volunteering won't impact your career. That was a lie. I also don't have a problem with the open ranks inspections...but then I was enlisted for 10 years so maybe that's why? I kinda view that as being a "innate military" thing. Couching it as leading to warfighting success is...stupid. I realize I'm the way outlier on this one.
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I think the accountability will come since it's the NTSB's job and not the Army's. If it was the Army's I'd have a pitchfork with you guys. They've covered up so much corruption I'd have a hard time with them saying it was "an accident." Not sure on passenger families perception, but again it sucks all the way around.
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Might be in the minority here, but the EEO office complaints I dealt with were #1 - Civilians usually complaining about BS; but often on some legit things. Got a buddy now the CC legit did some illegal items to fire him and the EEO office helped. #3 - Racism items against white/Caucasian members #2 - Brutal climate surveys Anecdotal of course, I was surprised my career had that exp. Also, dealt with a lot of "rapes" that turned out not to be. Doesn't mean it wasn't happening, and I think a lot of good came out of the SARC programs...but damn if I wasn't in a weird nexus of false allegations against my Amn for a couple of years.
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Having done GO/VIP support for more years than I care to remember while I was on AD I learned GO's can individualize their uniforms in ways no one else can. Super annoying when having to explain that shit to Amn. BREAK BREAK Got this from one of my Capt's who did some amazing stuff on the cyber side. Good to know the fuck-you games haven't changed. "My assignment dropped last Monday, and it was to a CyberOps Sq that I didn't bid on, nor did they bid on me. I had matches on all my bids (pretty high ones as well) but AFPC was not helpful. So last week I talked to just about everyone I could (Major Gen name, Group CC, new CC, old CC, AFPC, people in, people out) to see if I could get at least my 2nd bid which was the 90th. AFPC said there were slots open there, but didn't want to fill them because they can't give every CC everything they want (even though we matched). So very frustrating to say the least. My supervisor was really helpful and was really seeking justification, and they kept flip-flopping on "well we have plenty of people with his skills", which my supe said no you don't, and "well we really need him". Wife and I decided we are going to 7-day opt..." So, now I'm helping my boy prep his resume and job hunt for a first gig in the low $100K's. He'll def be making more than me within 5 years, probably 2 if he tries even a little. Good job AF!
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Either way, she was going to be accused of being a DEI hire no matter what her history/performance. We can crow about how rules should always be followed, but then get pissed when we/family/friends don't get "exceptions" when we feel they're warranted. I feel like giving the family time to lock down the social media from the coming onslaught was warranted. Highly likely the family has already been doxed on some forum/site and is starting to receive threats. Or not, can't know for sure. I can't speak for the process, or reasons by the CC's/big army. I assume good intentions by default, worked well when I was in charge (and still does). Same as allowing exceptions when I could was a good tactic. Just trying to be empathetic to a family who's daughter/sister was a pilot who's now dead and being looked at as the cause of the worst air disaster in decades. Shit just sucks all around.
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I can't speak to Mexico...because they could do more. I think a wall is stupid, but more "evil gov't employees 😁" in CBP and more tech to protect that area I'm good with. Canada however, reading their own press release what they committed to on Dec 17 seems to list everything "surrendered" by the Trump tariff tiff. Outside the "Fent Czar" being new, and last I saw less than 50lbs came through the great white north last year.
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I read in a book once about the UN taking over the holy sites and providing peacekeepers from the Vatican who respected both sides and reduced the tension and violence. I thought that was a good idea, then I turned 13 and watched the news. I think (and hope) he was talking out his ass again. We "resettle" the population there and put troops...likely to make Iraqi look like a brief holiday. That said I could be wrong, have been before and will be again. I'm not rooting against Donny, I don't ever hope America fails. But this one...big oof. All that said, I'm wondering how the Muslim population in Michigan, and protest students are now feeling for not voting for Genocide Joe? EDIT - Also wondering how this fits in with the "America First" policy? I could be cynical and point out real estate developer, and Jared the Kush saying Gaza was good beach front property...but that seems way too on the nose. Again, prob just shit talking...I hope.
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I retired admits the craziness of COVID (out in June). Once they all went remote all the delays in civilian hiring ceased. It was amazing how fast we got position descriptions approved. Additionally there are people that can still provide for the mission but are medically unable to be in the office. This is one of my wife's workers, he works on the F-22 test program. Probably going to have to quit and go on disability now.
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Are you really saying Canada, who we've been aligned with culturally, military, economically for at least 100 years isn't an ally? They were ride or die with us in Afghanistan. Let's planes land in their county on 9/11 and took those people into their homes. Not an ally? What is an ally then?
