February 2, 2017

Solar Employs More Americans than Coal, Oil and Gas Combined

February 2, 2017 Buck Banks

43%

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Energy, solar power employed 43 percent of the Electric Power Generation sector’s workforce in 2016, while fossil fuels combined accounted for just 22 percent.

The Silent Republicans

February 2, 2017March 17, 2017 Buck Banks

As the Trump bulldozer buries the weak,
And havoc and chaos he continues to wreak,
Where are the disciples
Of Republican principles,
And why don’t they stand up and speak?

Who’s Got the Button?

February 2, 2017February 23, 2017 Buck Banks

“Go nuclear!” said the Trump to McConnell,
If his SCOTUS choice the Democrats do throttle.
With bravado and bluster —
Poof! No more filibuster!
Let’s just hope Trump doesn’t lead by example.

A Canticle for Arnold

February 2, 2017March 17, 2017 Buck Banks

Since Ike, every president’s had a National Prayer Breakfast,
But to date only one’s talked about “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Trump’s lamentations on its ratings
Were especially grating,
But his prayer for Schwarzennegger was just the tackiest.

Melania In Absentia

February 2, 2017February 23, 2017 Buck Banks

Melania Trump ain’t been seen since the inaugural,
And her early absence from Trump’s side augurs ill.
Trump knows he’s uncouth
And we suspect he suspects, forsooth,
That Melania just ain’t First Lady material.

Cabinet of Expendables

February 2, 2017February 23, 2017 Buck Banks

Donald Trump doesn’t really have advisers,
Deeming himself better, sharper and wiser.
Except for Jared and Ivanka,
Who meld into JAVANKA —
Trump’s only trusted and true SUPER ADVISER.

Ryan Speaks More with Trump than Obama — Duh!

February 2, 2017 Buck Banks

I have spoken more with Donald Trump in the last month more than I have spoken with Barack Obama in the last eight years.”

— Speaker Paul Ryan, quoted by the Washington Examiner. It should be noted that Ryan has been speaker only since October 2015, prior to which why would the president speak regularly to a congressman from a “flyover” state?

Trump’s Campaign Paid Trump’s Companies $12.8 Million

February 2, 2017 Buck Banks

$12.8

“Donald Trump’s campaign paid his companies $12.8 million from the time he launched his improbable presidential bid in the lobby of his company’s flagship Trump Tower property through the end of last year,” Politico reports.

Day: February 2, 2017

Solar Employs More Americans than Coal, Oil and Gas Combined

43%

According to a new report from the U.S. Department of Energy, solar power employed 43 percent of the Electric Power Generation sector’s workforce in 2016, while fossil fuels combined accounted for just 22 percent.

The Silent Republicans

Who’s Got the Button?

A Canticle for Arnold

Melania In Absentia

Cabinet of Expendables

Ryan Speaks More with Trump than Obama — Duh!

I have spoken more with Donald Trump in the last month more than I have spoken with Barack Obama in the last eight years.”

— Speaker Paul Ryan, quoted by the Washington Examiner. It should be noted that Ryan has been speaker only since October 2015, prior to which why would the president speak regularly to a congressman from a “flyover” state?

Trump’s Campaign Paid Trump’s Companies $12.8 Million

$12.8

“Donald Trump’s campaign paid his companies $12.8 million from the time he launched his improbable presidential bid in the lobby of his company’s flagship Trump Tower property through the end of last year,” Politico reports.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.