That Cabinet Again? (7)

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Tulsi Gabbard – Shape-shifter

Of all the cabinet nominations by President-Elect Donald Trump that I’ve researched, the selection of Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence has been the most confusing. While I try in every case to be as even-handed as possible in presenting the facts about the nominee, in this case, the facts themselves are so contradictory and shape-shifting that I struggle to assemble them in logical fashion. Much of her background makes her an absolute puzzlement; other facts about her suggest (at least to me) that she doesn’t even fit the MAGA mold. Let me try to explain.

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Cabinet Concerns (6)

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Kristi Noem – Homeland Security??!

Well, I’ve spent hours researching Kristi Noem, current governor of South Dakota. After all, Secretary of Homeland Security is a critical leadership role. And this time, the process got turned on its head in a whole new way. As I learned about Noem, I couldn’t help but ask: What have our previous secretaries of this department been like? There haven’t been all that many – it all started after 9/11. So, let’s see if there’s a pattern, and how well she fits the pattern. OMG! What a decisive turn we’re now facing! Let me show you what I mean.

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Cabinet for Conspiracy (5)

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Kash Patel - Seriously, Donald?

“shadowy officials... overstepped boundaries...illegal surveillance... manipulated narratives... unscrupulous dealings... distorted intelligence... widespread corruption... take back the White House... remove the gangsters... a sinister cabal... defeat the Deep State...” Need I say more?

This is the fifth Trump cabinet pick I’ve researched. After each one, I think: “Okay, it’s going to calm down. The next one will be a seasoned, respected leader with expertise in a closely related field and demonstrated commitment to democracy for all Americans.” Dang! I just can’t get it right, and the Kash Patel story hasn’t made it any better.

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The Cabinetry Continues (4)

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Russ Vought – the (B)OMB guy

Well, now, it’s much easier to approach Mr. Trump’s pick for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) than the others. Why? Because the nominee himself wrote the book on OMB! That is to say, in Project 2025, he authored the plan for how the next conservative administration should handle OMB – and I’ve read Project 2025, so I simply need to review. Therefore, rather than begin with biographical information, as I usually do, let’s first have a quick summary of what Russ Vought prescribed in his little section of the 922-page mandate for leadership.

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This is the Cabinet??? (3)

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Hegseth for Defense: absolutely terrifying!

His selection for this leadership role makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? He’s talked a lot on television for the past ten years, and he’s been involved in conservative politics all his adult life. Oh, and he did serve in the National Guard, and he was executive director of two veteran-support organizations – uh... two political veterans organizations – sorry. This Trump cabinet pick, beyond all the others I’ve researched so far, is beyond ridiculous; this one will keep me awake at night.

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Crazy Cabinet Maker (2)

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Linda McMahon – I’m wrestling with this pick

I’m not a wrestling fan, although I was as a child. I remember those rare, late-night sessions in front of our little black-and-white TV with my brother and sister, watching “wrestling” that was more clown-show than sport. Other than that, I haven’t followed wrestling on any level, and I’d never heard of Linda McMahon until she was nominated to take over the Department of Education. As a long-time teacher and current School Board trustee, I was keenly interested in learning her background and philosophy. I had no idea she was a wrestler! And even older than me! And never a classroom teacher! Oh, my. I began reading...

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A Cabinet Maker Gone Wild?

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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – a roller coaster ride!

Well! Having spent most of my summer immersed in Project 2025, believing it might soon be water under the bridge, and, in particular, having spent a few weeks with the conservative mandate’s plans for Health and Human Services (HHS), I was astonished at Donald Trump’s pick for HHS Secretary. Stunned!  

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“We’re Eating Ourselves to Death!”

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That is the terrifying conclusion of Casey Means, author of Good Energy: the surprising connection between metabolism and limitless health. This book was recommended to me by my optometrist, of all people! I was simply in for my annual eye checkup, and we got to talking about holistic health, and before the end of the day, I was immersed in yet another life-changing book – and this one, I am convinced, you must read.

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Menu – Project 2025

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Help yourself! It’s all good. Just choose a starting point and click.

Appetizers

Main Course

Desserts -

Here in the Speakeasy, YOU decide

where to start & when to stop.

Project 2025: Small Business Administration (SBA)

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As always, let’s begin with an introduction to the author. Karen Kerrigan has served as president and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council since 1994, and is a founder of Women Entrepreneurs, Inc. She regularly testifies before Congress on key issues impacting small business and the economy. Per the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Kerrigan has been appointed to numerous federal advisory boards, has presented at several Presidential economic summits, and has been called America’s “entrepreneurial envoy."

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