"At a church in Washington, D.C., last weekend, dozens of federal workers attended a support group for civil servants seeking a forum to discuss their opposition to the Trump administration. And 180 federal employees have signed up for a workshop next weekend, where experts will offer advice on workers’ rights and how they can express civil disobedience.
At the Justice Department, an employee in the division that administers grants to nonprofits fighting domestic violence and researching sex crimes said he and his colleagues have been planning to slow their work and to file complaints with the inspector general’s office if they are asked to shift grants away from their mission.
“You’re going to see the bureaucrats using time to their advantage,” said the employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Through leaks to news organizations and internal complaints, he said, “people here will resist and push back against orders they find unconscionable.”" post-gazette
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As Malcom X once said "the chickens have come home to roost."
For decades now the various US administrations have made use of the facilities provided by USIA, CIA black ops, various party connected pro-democracy groups, NED, etc. to; interfere in other peoples' elections, political party structures and to tinker with history to give not so gentle shoves in the direction that Borgists have believed was in the interest of a utopian future for mankind and the creation of even more; massive egos, and wealth here in Washington and across Borgistan. It should be stressed that all administrations of both parties have done that. And guess what, pilgrims, I know this because like other fairly senior denizens of the intelligence world I was often used by the government of the day to "leak" information to the oh, so clever press. "Now you understand, this is on deep background just for you" because you are so special ... Who leaked the "news" about the Australian phone call yesterday? Is it not obvious that the WH "leaked" it to make the world and themselves think how bad-assed they are?
This kind of behavior has become reflexive and universal, but to carry out government by slight of hand and other skullduggery requires the active cooperation of the senior members of the federal civil service. Not the contractors, the contractor employees are seldom players, they are just money-makers for the contractor companies.
So, when I read of political operatives, for that is what they are, seeking to organize the federal civil service against the present administration of the United States it gives me pause. If they should succeed to some degree, the result would be paralysis for the government. If you think that is a good thing you should consider that the damage to the functioning of all parts of the Executive Branch would be deep and long lasting.
A small example of the chaos that would ensue from a failure of function was provided by the ineptitude of the Trump Administration in not staffing and coordinating the "immigration" EO across the interagency last week
The federal civil service was created because of the murder of a president. We live in parlous times. People should not play with fire lest they be burnt. pl
I think the Colonel has nailed it.
Most likely someone has a "theory of destabilization" and "fear of what I'll do next" at work.
Posted by: FourthAndLong | 03 February 2017 at 04:12 PM
Col Lang,
Thank you. That is reassuring. The world badly needs a US foreign policy that is based on the interests of the people of the country, rather than one controlled by various interests (the military-industrial complex, the neocon lobby, the Israeli lobby, the Displaced Iranians lobby, Saudi money, etc).
However, that still leaves open the question of where Steve Bannon stands now. This issue arises because of his undoubted power, and influence over the President. As you know, his past views are being thrown about quite a lot these days by the MSM and other anti-Trumpers. They don't seem to jive with the foreign policy views of Donald Trump. Has Bannon modified his positions? And, if not, how much influence is he likely to have on the President's policies?
Another issue that is up in the air (at least in my mind, even though largely of academic interest to me) is the domestic policy that Trump is likely to follow. He has talked a lot about looking after the interests of common folk, yet his policies (deregulation of Wall Street, repeal of Obamacare, etc) seem unlikely to achieve that aim.
Posted by: FB Ali | 03 February 2017 at 05:25 PM
Just to show that the recent brouhaha around the "muslim ban" is all politics and not morality or ethics or even principles - a look back at the stalwarts of PCness and the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees.
http://www.worldtribune.com/flashback-jerry-brown-biden-and-other-dems-refused-to-accept-vietnamese-refugees
Posted by: Sam Peralta | 04 February 2017 at 12:14 PM
The "Displaced Iranian Lobby", in my opinion, had nothing to do with Trump's Executive Order banning entrance to US from 7 Muslim countries.
Trump declared Shia Islam to be anathema to US - that is how it is perceived. In that, he is in good company - EU shares that view.
Furthermore, the Fly-Over-America hates Iran and Islam - these are his core constituency that are now saying: "He is showing them..."
Furthermore, Sunni Islam stands by Trump; Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia - to name a few - have not taken a stand against this ban.
Specifically about Iran; the core state of Muslim civilization:
Trump has taken a position that he is against the Iranian people - a position that not even Bush II took; Bush II actually stated that US is friend of the Iranian people.
That is one thing.
The other thing is that those Iranians who were well disposed to USA (and Europe) are now taunted by the officials as well as supporters of the Iranian government and establishment: "they (US) do not even want you in their country.", or "They want slaves."
Lastly, this will not soften up Iranians, far from it. It is already resulting in "I told you so." being heard all over the political landscape. It adds to the cohesion of Iran as well as the Shia Crescent.
It certainly puts the re-election of Rouhani in doubt.
Posted by: Babak Makkinejad | 04 February 2017 at 02:04 PM
All
This may be off topic but it relates to the Trump electoral phenomenon now taking place in the Dutch elections. A fascinating article on the backlash in Holland of muslim immigration and the inability or unwillingness of many of these immigrants to assimilate into Dutch society.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4189856/Rabble-rouser-nail-EU-s-coffin.html
Posted by: Jack | 04 February 2017 at 02:48 PM
You have made similar comments about Trump being "naïve about Israel" before.
Again, I think the totality of evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that
there is zero chance Trump is "naïve about Israel".
Posted by: Keith Harbaugh | 05 February 2017 at 06:07 PM
KH
I do not accept your premise. There are many people in the US who whatever their exposure to Israel or in this case the moneyed Zionists clique in New York who manage quite well to maintain their illusions concerning Israel as a country devoted to peace and justice for all rather than an example of rampant ethnic nationalism in the world. As a successful former clandestine case officer and commander of case officers I assure you that the creation and maintenance of delusions as to character is an easy thing if you work at the task, and the people we are talking about are devoted to the task. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 05 February 2017 at 06:38 PM
Fascinating.
I totally respect your experience and experiences,
but still find it hard to believe that,
with the broad experience and connections Trump undisputedly has,
that he could not be acutely aware of the case against Israel.
But this is just a matter of my opinion, nothing more.
Perhaps future evidence will clarify the matter.
Posted by: Keith Harbaugh | 05 February 2017 at 07:41 PM
KH
"the case against Israel." People believe what they want to believe and objective evidence has little do with the process. Trump may be able to cling to a comfortable view of Israel that does not disturb his world view and environment. as you say it will be interesting to learn f that is true. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 05 February 2017 at 08:42 PM
As to whom Trump is turning to for advice, the following is informative:
Trump May Turn to Arab Allies for Help With Israeli-Palestinian Relations
By PETER BAKER and MARK LANDLER
New York Times, 2017-02-10
...
Jared Kushner, the senior White House adviser whom Mr. Trump has assigned a major role in negotiations,
has been intrigued by this logic [of Israeli prime minister Netanyahu],
according to people who have spoken with him.
Mr. Kushner has grown close to Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador
and a close confidant of Mr. Netanyahu’s.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Kushner also had dinner at the White House on Thursday night with Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate, who is a key supporter of Mr. Netanyahu.
...
Posted by: Keith Harbaugh | 10 February 2017 at 03:56 PM