Champagne, oh that bubbly delight.

Beef bourguignon is a classic French beef stew from the Burgundy region, made by braising beef in red wine with bacon, onions, carrots, and mushrooms.

Our very own statue of Liberty.

The modern bra

And most importantly, but to be used only with discretion. The Guillotine. ‘Let them eat cake’

Current Status


BREAKING NEWS:
The Donald “John” Trump Commemorative Throne opens to the public this week, inviting admirers to bask in marble and gold while paying tribute to the man who never met a surface too shiny to name after himself. Visitors are encouraged to reflect, recline, and perhaps flush away lingering doubts about the golden age of self-promotion.



Here are several recent updates (past ~21 days) on benefits and healthcare for veterans.
Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has processed more than 2 million disability claims in the current fiscal year, reaching the mark faster than ever before. The American Legion+1
The VA reported that the backlog of disability claims (claims pending more than the threshold) has dropped to under 200,000 for the first time since March 2023. VA News+1
A federal appeals court unanimously rejected a VA request to delay rulings on veterans’ benefits claims amid the government shutdown, signaling limits on the agency’s ability to pause adjudications. The Guardian
An investigative report criticized as misleading by veterans-groups suggested “rampant” fraud in the VA disability system, but advocates counter that the core issue remains bureaucratic delays rather than broad abuse. The Guardian+1
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, nearly 37,000 VA employees are either furloughed or working without pay, and several VA services (GI Bill hotline, certain benefits offices, transition briefings) are disrupted. nypost.com
Government Shutdown Impact on Healthcare: The ongoing federal government shutdown has led to the suspension of two Medicare remote care programs, including telehealth and hospital-at-home services, which expired on October 1. Health Policy Institute of Ohio
Medicare Advantage Oversight: Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), addressed concerns over in-home health assessments and rising Medicare spending on skin substitutes. He emphasized the need for efficient prior authorization processes and warned of potential regulatory actions against misuse. The Washington Post
Public Trust in Healthcare Leadership: An Axios-Ipsos poll revealed that a majority of Americans believe the nation is less healthy under President Trump’s leadership, citing concerns over vaccine policies and the dissemination of unproven health claims. Axios
California Legislation on Pharmacy Benefit Managers: Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 41 into law, regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to lower prescription drug costs. This legislation prohibits certain practices like patient steering and mandates PBM licensure through the state government. Wikipedia
Governing requires Thought not Fear
It takes intelligence, patience, and courage to govern—balancing competing needs, anticipating consequences, and building systems that endure. Dictating? That takes nothing but fear and greed. Instill panic or promise reward, and people fall in line. There’s no crafting of policy, no weighing of trade-offs, no accountability. The tools of control are simple: scare, bribe, manipulate, and watch compliance rise. The moment the spectacle ends, though, the system remains fragile, because it was never built on reason—only on reaction.
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