Just One Thing: Climate hypocrisy
Thanks to the great Robert Bryce for this. I recommend that you subscribe to his Substack here: Robert Bryce | Substack
One More Thing: If there's a gov't shutdown, it will likely be just hours long
It looks like a deal has been struck to keep the government funded, which is just the usual Kabuki theater we’ve come to expect from D.C. While Donald Trump and the Democrats are claiming victory for "stopping the bleeding," it really just means they’ve agreed to keep spending your hard-earned money at a breakneck pace to avoid a shutdown. I’m glad we’re avoiding the chaos, but I remain skeptical that this agreement does anything to address the underlying fiscal rot that continues to plague our national budget.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and other budget hawks voted against the deal. Their argument, which is correct, is that these bills contain something like $14 billion in earmarks. Of course most Republicans will go along, not least because our current Republican president doesn't care about spending. It will pass with Democrat votes even as some courageous Republicans vote no.
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Today's Guests
Monique Kelley: Associate Professor at Boston University and author of the upcoming book Redefining Networking: Lead with Your Unique Value. She joins us to discuss how AI is shaking up the job market and why real human relationships are now one of the few ways to differentiate yourself in an increasingly automated world.
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Brittany Trujillo: Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity-Colorado. Brittany is leading the charge against Xcel Energy’s massive utility rate increases and will tell us about the "Your Voice Matters" community action event taking place tomorrow in Northglenn. AFP-CO No more rate increases!
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Other Stuff
Several Denver restaurants are closing their doors today as part of a "general strike" to protest ICE operations, which is certainly an interesting way to manage a business: Jan. 30 general strike, ICE out protests will close these Denver restaurants restaurants
The perspective of one Denver business owner: Scavenged Goods on Facebook
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Is anyone else sick of watching this movie over and over? Senate aims to vote on funding deal before shutdown deadline - The Washington Post
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Seems like a good choice to me: Donald Trump expected to nominate Kevin Warsh as US Federal Reserve chair | Federal Reserve | The Guardian
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A man actually tried to pose as an FBI agent at a jail to free accused murderer Luigi Mangione, proving that some people’s boldness is only exceeded by their stupidity: Luigi Mangione: Man posed as FBI agent at jail to to free accused murderer
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Another military confrontation with Iran is risky to our friends and assets in the region. As to whether it's necessary, that's way above my pay grade. One thing stands out: Trump likes to back up his redlines and is well aware of the "TACO" (Trump always chickens out) concept and that some folks believe that he led Iranian protesters to their deaths by promising that "help is on the way." Trump says 'it would be great' if US 'didn't have to use' military force on Iran
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Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, the worst big-city mayor in America by a country mile, is now vowing to prosecute immigration officers: Brandon Johnson vows to prosecute immigration officers
And in another case of a nitwit comparing ICE to Nazis: Leland Vittert is weighing in on Stephen Colbert’s idiocy, specifically his comparing ICE to Nazis: Leland Vittert’s War Notes: Politics is About Momentum
That said, ICE has been way way too aggressive and I'm glad that Tom Homan is likely to rein them in: A federal judge just slammed ICE for violating nearly 100 court orders, reminding everyone that the agency is not a law unto itself: Federal judge slams ICE for violating nearly 100 court orders
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Financing is getting tough for developers in Denver, though some are still optimistic that the downtown area is rebounding: Denver developers: financing is tough, but downtown is rebounding
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Now Kristi is throwing Border Patrol under the bus, too. Poor ol' Greg Bovino. Noem says her response to Pretti shooting may have been wrong - POLITICO
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Governor Polis is opting Colorado into a voucher-like federal tax credit scholarship program. It's a no-brainer but he's actually only the second Democratic governor to say yes: Polis plans to opt Colorado into voucher-like federal tax credit scholarship program
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A Maine nonprofit is finally returning $65,000 to shooting victims after public pressure and an investigation finally forced their hand: Maine nonprofit returns $65K to shooting victims after nationwide calls, investigation
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Elon Musk says Tesla aims to build 1 million Optimus robots per year at the Fremont factory, which makes the sci-fi future feel much closer than most of us are ready for: Tesla to build 1 million Optimus robots per year at Fremont factory, Musk says
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Frustrated neighbors are suing a Colorado concert venue after years of noise complaints, a classic example of what happens when you ignore the people living nearby: Frustrated neighbors sue Colorado concert venue after years of noise complaints
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This is exactly what happens when you’re spending other people’s money: the Colorado Medicaid program mistakenly paid providers 10 times too much in a massive administrative failure: Colorado Medicaid program mistakenly paid providers 10 times too much
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The Trump administration is suing a woman who failed to self-deport for nearly $1 million, showing they are getting very serious about enforcement penalties: Trump admin sues woman who failed to self-deport for nearly $1 million But how exactly will they enforce this against people who likely have approximately $0 in savings, or at least not many thousands? I realize that this administration will consider it a victory if the people just leave the country.
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Tulsi Gabbard’s role in a Georgia FBI raid has Democrats angry and election officials puzzled, adding another layer of drama to the political investigation landscape: Gabbard’s role at Georgia FBI raid angers Dems, puzzles election officials
I think it's nuts that the DNI is doing this. But maybe her fealty to the conspiracy theory is what's keeping her employed.
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Colorado Senate Bill 26-043 is a massive waste of time that will not impact so-called “gun crime” at all. It tries to regulate firearm barrels like firearms and will almost certainly be found unconstitutional: Ava Flanell on SB 26-043 Download the Bill Text
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We might be in an academic doom loop, as college students are now turning to AI tools just to avoid being accused of AI cheating: To avoid accusations of AI cheating, college students turn to AI
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Today's Video
I wonder if this is AI, but still he has a great point