A collection of my feeds from around the web and other random thoughts of mine.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/jWoeFpuyKu #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 31, 2019 at 06:40PM
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dea42 blocking 108.176.0.2 for IP reached maximum auth failures


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 31, 2019 at 03:43PM
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RT @averytomascowx: Fun fact as I'm updating our flood graphics: Lake Travis has been at/above full capacity (681ft) for 3.5 months (currently 14ft above avg) Other than the 2015/2016 floods, you have to go back more than 10 years (2008) to find a longer stretch of near-full capacity. #atxwx #txwx https://t.co/O6Dghxviiy


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 31, 2019 at 01:08PM
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RT @cbsaustin: Gov. Abbott says that the 95,000 voters that the secretary of state flagged for review was never meant to be a "hard-and-fast list." https://t.co/DHeNxk6YfA via @TexasTribune


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 31, 2019 at 01:07PM
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PM Showers in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 57, low 54 & 2 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/QUOpYQPk8H


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 31, 2019 at 06:00AM
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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/8mb8zl5yUG #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 30, 2019 at 06:40PM
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Only ~2.5% of workers were affected by #shutdown but do you REALLY think any are spending till this mess is sorted? @stevenmnuchin1 Can't bounce back till they do. @DonaldTrump @SenatorTedCruz @johncornyn @RepRogerWilliams @mitchmcconnell #shutdown0130 #EndTheShutdowns #shutdown https://t.co/JMrpOaRr6i


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 08:45AM
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Shutdown may be over – but economic ripple effect lingers https://t.co/eh5Jk3OViF via @csmonitor @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0130 #EndTheShutdowns For most the #shutdown far from over.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 08:31AM
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For most the #shutdown far from over. @DonaldTrump @SenatorTedCruz @johncornyn @RepRogerWilliams @mitchmcconnell #shutdown0130 #EndTheShutdowns #WaitingOnBackpay https://t.co/YH9vI9d0mq


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 08:15AM
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Great idea! @DonaldTrump @SenatorTedCruz @johncornyn @RepRogerWilliams @mitchmcconnell #shutdown0130 #EndTheShutdowns #shutdown #WaitingOnBackpay https://t.co/DDPJAI3OhV


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 08:11AM
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2nd Special Food Distribution for Federal Employees to be Held at Central Texas Food Bank https://t.co/Ddb5wsXJCR #WaitingOnBackpay @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0130 #EndTheShutdowns #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 08:03AM
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Police provide safety tips after mountain lion spotted in Leander https://t.co/ig0OOM0Ig6 via @KVUE Someone finally got video of it. Been hearing sightings for over a year.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 30, 2019 at 07:39AM
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Mostly Cloudy in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 56, low 44 & 3 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4Ki1lzy via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/MpyiNlGycm


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 30, 2019 at 06:00AM
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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/tWz0pm9DEn #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 29, 2019 at 06:40PM
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Looking to cut the cord or find a better streaming deal? Check out https://t.co/c11jWVJ6jd for a REALLY cool cost & feature compare tool.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 29, 2019 at 03:27PM
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RT @BoingBoing: Fascinating chart shows the evolution of the English alphabet from Egyptian hieroglyphics https://t.co/WZ5WQZeWDM https://t.co/TtDz08G3zG


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 29, 2019 at 11:48AM
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RT @Citizant: .@HSTodayMag is recognizing Thurs., Jan. 31 as "Wear Blue" day in support of the @DHSBlueCampaign to fight human trafficking --originally scheduled for Jan. 11 during the shutdown. Show your support. Wear Blue and post your photos. #endtrafficking. https://t.co/Gt8GN7ERvm


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 29, 2019 at 11:46AM
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Mostly Cloudy in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 51, low 37 & 2 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/1653nAoerT


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 29, 2019 at 06:00AM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:23.2°F Windchill:32.9°F


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 29, 2019 at 05:34AM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:

Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:23.2°F Windchill:32.9°F Wind:6.0 mph Rain Rate:0.0in/h Rain For Day:0.0in Sun:0 W/m^2

Monday, January 28, 2019

Sunday, January 27, 2019

WS4 Low Temp Alert:Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:31.3°F Windchill:33.8°F


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 27, 2019 at 11:26PM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:

Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:31.3°F Windchill:33.8°F Wind:0.9 mph Rain Rate:0.0in/h Rain For Day:0.0in Sun:0 W/m^2

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/dm93MdUd0x #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 27, 2019 at 06:38PM
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Server Iris2 back up (north cams)


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 27, 2019 at 11:37AM
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RT @evagrosman: "It didn't start with gas chambers. It started with ‘us vs them’. With intolerance and hate speech. And when people stopped caring." #HolocaustMemorialDay https://t.co/M1m7I4Bjx8


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 27, 2019 at 09:25AM
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Special Weather Statement issued January 27 at 6:46AM CST by NWS https://t.co/PEZebpMiq5


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 27, 2019 at 07:01AM
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AM Fog/PM Sun in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 64, low 46 & 2 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/dZ39PNltZr


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 27, 2019 at 06:00AM
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Saturday, January 26, 2019

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/VJv2I2pLN4 #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 26, 2019 at 06:38PM
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IRS will need at least a year to recover from the #shudown, says a guard dog to Congress https://t.co/Oo5KPO16Ng In case you are thinking of another #shutdown Feb 19th. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0126 #EndTheShutdowns


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 26, 2019 at 02:23PM
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The government is reopened (for now). But the recovery process may take awhile https://t.co/MFbN8M0vhY via @voxdotcom In case you are thinking of another #shutodwn Feb 19th. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0126 #EndTheShutdowns


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 26, 2019 at 02:17PM
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Roughly 14,000 IRS employees didn't show up to work this week @CNNPolitics https://t.co/uGg7eZegBK In case you are thinking another #shutodwn Feb 19th. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0126 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 26, 2019 at 02:06PM
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This does give all some breathing room but no one that was affected by this #shutdown mess is betting it will not happen again in 3 weeks. Till we have a deal that funds the government for a significant amount of time don't expect the economy to start recovering. #shutdown0125 https://t.co/FnkhsNEWEM


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 26, 2019 at 11:26AM
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Cloudy in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 58, low 43 & 2 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/1PyqAMvSe4


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 26, 2019 at 06:01AM
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Friday, January 25, 2019

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/3qiq3PAZuc #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 25, 2019 at 06:36PM
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Note basically the same that went to the House in Dec & was amended forcing the Senate to revote on it. With lame ducks gone hopefully it will go through this time. Not celebrate till it does though. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @RepRWilliams #shutdown0125 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/MNHRvqWP1O


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 25, 2019 at 03:56PM
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Wondering after yesterday's attempt to fund just the employees trending in the news, how many working without pay & supporters are feeling too sick to work today? @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0125 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 25, 2019 at 08:28AM
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Yesterday's Senate vote details. https://t.co/qF22yITUke At least they voted on SOMETHING! How about voting on all those non wall related funding bills? @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0125 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 25, 2019 at 08:24AM
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Shutdown Screws Small GovCons https://t.co/QHy565KbhB So much #shutdown fallout never makes the news. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0125 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 25, 2019 at 08:14AM
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Cloudy in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 53, low 42 & 1 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/OWIBAnD43t


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 25, 2019 at 06:00AM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:30.2°F Windchill:33.8°F


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 25, 2019 at 12:43AM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:

Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:30.2°F Windchill:33.8°F Wind:2.0 mph Rain Rate:0.0in/h Rain For Day:0.0in Sun:0 W/m^2

Thursday, January 24, 2019

WH preparing national emergency order w/$7B for wall @CNNPolitics https://t.co/CDWHIRpTGe Then why risk sending us into a recession & ruining @GOP 2020 chances w/ #shutdown? @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown https://t.co/O0fvjvonuS


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:18PM
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RT @pritheworld: GM is shutting down its Lordstown plant in March, and 1,500 workers, including Nanette Senters, are losing their jobs. https://t.co/qdvsLuLrS0


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:07PM
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RT @fawfulfan: I'm sorry, this is just WAY too on the nose. https://t.co/LJsenmItCj


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 07:54PM
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How Americans can end the #shutdown in one day: Call for a strike https://t.co/5kriOgNgug @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 07:47PM
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Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/jHSBNRb1Ip #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 24, 2019 at 06:36PM
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LOL latest scam call put just "Brooke" as the caller ID to try and look like number was in my contacts instead of spoofed call. @Truecaller Already had number tagged. Why do they still try the same 1st 6 numbers spoof? I don't know anyone with same 1st 6 of ANY of my numbers.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 02:18PM
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If you need a bridge till you get that back pay these are awesome people to get a loan at great rate. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/sClh2pXLi2


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:49AM
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Just heard @RoyBlunt say he does not get how extending funding a few weeks will help so let me explain. I means living on credit cards people get paid! @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:37AM
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Where is everyone? Looks like a ghost town in there! Just a few making speeches for the cameras. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/0QnsC4aGyB


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:23AM
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Seriously read the comments on this thread. Hope he was not planning running for anything in 2020. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/2iKL3hOkTD


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:20AM
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RT @nielslesniewski: "I don't quite understand why" federal workers are needing to go to food banks, says Secretary Wilbur Ross on CNBC.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:13AM
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Find their contact info here https://t.co/UVWgVujgZo


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:11AM
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Read what is stuck in the Senate's queue right now. Why not give them a call and ask why? https://t.co/rgFtoDxTtJ @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 11:09AM
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Why PayPal is giving $500 cash advances to federal workers hurt by government shutdown https://t.co/r8CHTIKeeG @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 10:14AM
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Hum does not seem they factored in furloughed and working without pay security people. Stop the #SafetyCrisis @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/ncvwVKVcfL


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 10:12AM
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RT @cspan: Today on C-SPAN: 9am ET – U.S. House C-SPAN2: 8:45am – @Betsydevosed & @JoeBiden speak @usmayors 11am – U.S. Senate C-SPAN3: 10am – Jeh Johnson @HomelandDems @househomeland 2pm – @stevenmnuchin1 #MayorsDC19 4:15pm – @CoryBooker & @SenJeffMerkley #MayorsDC19 https://t.co/l5n7vqIbPB


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 09:33AM
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Former FEMA head Timothy Manning telling House could take years to restaff FEMA after #shutdown this long. Stop the #SafetyCrisis @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 09:28AM
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On right now @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/NZpROq85E7


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 09:09AM
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Not boding well for the @GOP in 2020 @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown https://t.co/vXqc07ihJn


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 09:09AM
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On CSPAN-3 @drjoeheck was saying how hard it has been to get people to go through the long hiring process for fed employees before the #shutdown. Imagine how it will be now! @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 09:04AM
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An employer that does not pay is like a cheating spouse. https://t.co/m1DqnrmvoA @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:55AM
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How is this #shutdown making America great or supporting our troops? @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown https://t.co/2uC5V5poZy


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:35AM
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Federal law enforcement officers warn of danger in prisons due to #Shutdown https://t.co/tsb7gd6EPU via @afa_cwa @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:28AM
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Miami TSA Worker Warns About Dangers of #Shutdown https://t.co/Fz3Qg63dqg via @nbc6 @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:27AM
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Unions looking at general strike to end the #shutdown https://t.co/T5xY6Y0DbD via @afa_cwa @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0124 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:24AM
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Extraordinarily angry and very upset taxpayers: IRS faces chaotic tax season amid #shutdown https://t.co/C7o9QP21d8 @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0123 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 08:18AM
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23 here this AM. Was 76 a week ago. Going to be another confusing spring for the plants.


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 24, 2019 at 07:48AM
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Sunny in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 61, low 35 & 2 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/nfD6ewyvCr


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 24, 2019 at 06:00AM
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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

WS4 Low Temp Alert:Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:28.4°F Windchill:33.8°F


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 23, 2019 at 08:08PM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:

Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:28.4°F Windchill:33.8°F Wind:0.0 mph Rain Rate:0.0in/h Rain For Day:0.0in Sun:0 W/m^2

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/Mc5xnQPRTF #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 23, 2019 at 06:36PM
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RT @cbsaustin: .@hopdoddy offering free burgers today to federal employees https://t.co/yVbtibqPO7


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 23, 2019 at 04:00PM
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WaPo: Hundreds Of IRS Employees Skipping Work - News & Guts Media https://t.co/IW02OMkea0 Hard to work a side gig or barter if you have to work full time too. @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0123 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 23, 2019 at 12:55PM
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PiDP-11 a modern replica of the PDP-11/70 you can build! https://t.co/QMUEi2H5qU


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 23, 2019 at 11:44AM
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Here is my reply with a more personal context of how fed employees and contractors are feeling and why. https://t.co/cKBzgjdHsK @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0123 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 23, 2019 at 10:47AM
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The Shutdown Means Government Could Struggle For Years To Recruit Good Employees via @forbes https://t.co/5YBHW21h70 @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0123 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 23, 2019 at 10:44AM
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Good Forbes article:The Shutdown Means Government Could Struggle For Years To Recruit Good Employees

Exactly! The damage already caused will be felt for years and gets worse every day the shutdown continues. But let me give you a bit of personal history to bring this Forbes article into better focus. I was just going the do the usual post of the story with a short blurb but I it seems the point is just not getting through and I ran out of space so I'm putting it here where I can link to it from anywhere.

I was already a senior level developer when the dot com bubble burst. I came back from a November vacation to find I was the only contractor that still had a job at the dot com I was working for. And that was just till the end of the year since my project manager had convinced the owners they HAD to keep me to finish what I was working on or go under. But I found another job quick after and was doing OK as dot coms started going under. But then just as things were turning around 9/11 happened followed by the Enron mess which killed the job market and triggered massive layoffs. For awhile there I could not get a job even washing cars. The few openings there were did not want to hire someone that would leave as soon as something better came along. I was literally packing up to leave my house and live in a friend’s spare room when I finally got a call for a job almost a year later.

I had just managed to get a bit ahead when the 2008 financial crisis hit leaving me mostly jobless again for a year. Again, I came close to losing my home of 14 years before my network came through with a decent job at the last minute. I think you are starting to see why people like me are a bit more sensitive about job security.

By 2013 things seemed to be going well. I had just managed to pay off the last of maxed out cards and bridge loans from the 2008 recession and had good DOD contractor job. And of course, Ted Cruz shutdown the government for a protest against Obamacare and most of the people I worked with were sent home to frantically search for a new job. Most of them stayed at their new jobs even though that shutdown was only 16 days.

Now as I write this, we are on day 33 of the THIRD #shutdown in LESS THAN A YEAR. Not to mention the threatened shutdowns that were avoided at the last minute. So far, I’m one of the lucky ones still getting paid and this has definitely been one of the best jobs I’ve had. I get contacted by recruiters all the time even though I have not updated my resume in 5 years. I’ve been contacted about jobs making as much as 50% more but I like it here. But with an almost continuous threat of having to scramble yet again to find a new job even I’m having to think about looking again. If I end up leaving you know I will not be taking another federal government related job since it seems no agency is safe from hostage taking these days.  Now imagine how those not getting paid and or have a job that they do not love feel.

You might think so what developers are easy to come by. After having done interviews and talking to others that have I can tell you, while I find programming easy, good programmers are still pretty rare, generally making good money with lots of perks and not looking to change jobs. But even if replacement employees were easy to come by there to a couple big factors that will still hurt recovery:

First even low-level people need a security clearance for federal government jobs. We are generally talking 6 months here when the people doing the vetting have a normal load and are fully staffed.

Second is training and getting familiar with the job. Granted training that does not involve access to government systems can generally happen while waiting for clearance most though will need to wait till they have clearance to start.

So for example to replace a programmer that does not have a clearance already (and you can kind of assume they will not) you are looking at 6+ months before they can start looking at the code. Then a few more months before they will be productive enhancing and supporting those apps. Assuming anyone is left on the project that knows the code to tutor them.  Remember there are twice as many contractors as regular federal employees and contractors not only do not get paid during a shutdown but do not get back pay either. While Citizant has done a good job protecting their employees, others are already gone. A project in maintenance mode may only have a couple programmers. You do the math. Again the best and brightest will find it easiest to find new jobs so will be the majority of those lost when the pay stops. After all even if you would still do your job if you won the Lotto, most are in that 78% that admit to not being able to afford one missed check much less 2 like in this current shutdown. Which brings up one last point. Even though the government was shutdown for 57 days during the Carter administration, that was 5 shutdowns just over 2 years. The longest was 18 days so there was recovery time between them.  Direct employees did not even miss a paycheck. This time we have people that have missed over a month’s pay and in one go. And no end in sight.

If you want to help avoid yet another recession, government turmoil and higher costs contact your representatives, the president and especially Senator Mitch McConnell today. Some links provided below.



#shutdown0123



WS4 Low Temp Alert:Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:21.9°F Windchill:29.3°F


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 23, 2019 at 07:08AM
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WS4 Low Temp Alert:

Temp 33.6°F Dewpoint:21.9°F Windchill:29.3°F Wind:4.9 mph Rain Rate:0.0in/h Rain For Day:0.0in Sun:0 W/m^2

Partly Cloudy in Leander Texas. Forcast:high 55, low 35 & 3 pollen count. https://t.co/NKU4KiiWY8 via IFTTT #weather https://t.co/2OzgI9ZhvJ


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January 23, 2019 at 06:00AM
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Tuesday, January 22, 2019

WS4 Rain Rate Alert:Rain Rate:0.6in/h Rain For Day:0.1in


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January 22, 2019 at 10:25PM
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WS4 Rain Rate Alert:

Temp 42.3°F Dewpoint:38.1°F Windchill:42.3°F Wind:18.0 mph Rain Rate:0.6in/h Rain For Day:0.1in Sun:0 W/m^2

Check the time-lapse at my house today: https://t.co/gKdJxN2TzN #Bloomsky #weather #webcam https://t.co/wf6iHdbI21


from Twitter https://twitter.com/avatar_42

January 22, 2019 at 06:34PM
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Furloughed feds try the gig economy https://t.co/tayWj576tg Plus: Hard to have a gig while working full time without pay Contractors that move to other projects might not be able to come back even if they wanted. #shutdown0122 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 02:15PM
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RT @Citizant: Navigating your way through the #shutdown is difficult. Read this honest article from our CEO @Alba_Citizant and how she found inspiration in @Comaford's lessons. https://t.co/74rZMu0Xia


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 01:34PM
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RT @physorg_com: Study predicts how air pollutants from US #forest soils will increase with #climatechange @PNASNews https://t.co/NtGW2YxXRt


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 01:04PM
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RT @cbsaustin: Yes, FREE doughnuts! https://t.co/t93S6vP35z


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 01:02PM
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Added color coding and more breakdown. https://t.co/ZUcV6vrVU0


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 12:37PM
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Good point! Not only is this not a record ANYONE should want to break but given the current #shutdown is on it's 32nd day it is already over half again as long as any previous. Having to wait for your pay is bad. Missing check is hard. Missing 2 is hard to EVER forgive. https://t.co/mUtWmMsqFl


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 12:36PM
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BTW this administration has #shutdown the government WAY more days than Ford, Reagan and Bush combined. Even under Clinton the government was #shutdown only 26 days in 8 years. https://t.co/yVZgWaKPKY


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 12:08PM
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Max for government #shutdown days was Jimmy Carter with 57 in 4 years. With 35 and counting in just 2 years @realDonaldTrump is looking to shatter that record. https://t.co/9J1GowUZXW @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0122 #EndTheShutdown


from Twitter https://twitter.com/deabigt

January 22, 2019 at 11:28AM
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It's MORE expensive to run a closed government https://t.co/ofwjvcLwhc via @PolitiFact @realDonaldTrump @POTUS @SenTedCruz @JohnCornyn @RepRWilliams @senatemajldr #shutdown0122 #EndTheShutdown #shutdown


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January 22, 2019 at 11:02AM
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