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US Geological Survey Unable To Provide Indonesia Tsunami Data Due To Government Shutdown (huffingtonpost.com.au)
An underwater landslide caused by activity from the Anak Krakatau volcano is being blamed for a tsunami that struck Indonesia late Saturday, killing at least 222 people and injuring more than 800 others. Normally, the U.S. Geological Survey would report on such events and provide any necessary data it had to the public. But it can't due to America's partial government shutdown, which began Saturday after President Donald Trump refused to sign legislation that didn't include funding for his southern border wall. From a report: The USGS website is dormant as of Sunday, except for a notice at the top. "Due to a lapse in appropriations, the majority of USGS websites may not be up to date and may not reflect current conditions," the note reads. "Websites displaying real-time data, such as Earthquake and Water and information needed for public health and safety will be updated with limited support." According to the government shutdown contingency plan, the USGS will retain just 75 of its estimated 8,032 employees, or 0.9 percent. "The USGS will suspend the majority of its activities with the exception of those functions to protect life and property," the plan states. The document also claims that 450 employees will be "on call" for natural disasters, but it's unclear if that process has been enacted, as the USGS website says the agency is not "able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted."
An explicable reason may be that the illegal immigrants are necessary to keep the US running.
-- Cheers!
I just wonder why it is the job of the American taxpayer to pay for, provide and manage Indonesia's tsunami warning system. We are thanks to both parties in Washington 22 trillion in debt and that is growing out of control.
;)
Just my 2 cents
DNC vs. GOP issues aside, people have been saying for decades they wish the US would just GTFO of the affairs of other countries and stop interfering. The world is going to be a much better place as a result - if they're correct. Regardless of the reasons behind the decision, at least with Trump's insular approach we're going to get some idea of how valid that position is over the next few years, right? Well, assuming that the more likely scenario of either the Russians (Syria and the rest of the Middle East) or Chinese (Far East) moving in to fill the vacuum and providing a same shit, different day result.
Of course, if you're actually on the ground in Syria and on the "wrong side" of those that now hold the advantage in terms of power and equipment, the short term outlook isn't looking too good. Consider what happened when the Viet Cong swept south following the US withdrawal from Viet Nam, for instance - the Kurds need allies *fast* to protect themselves from Turkey, and where do you suppose they might turn for that support?
UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
Yeah, cleaning up after the Great Recession caused by Bush should have taken, what, a few bil?
Trump will start giving us over 1 Trillion dollar deficits for the as long as the eye can see because those nice corporations and rich people were being taxed too much. Then the Republicans in Congress, passing the bill while shining their halos, declared that it will pay for itself through increase economic activity. How's that working for ya? Even at over 3% growth, it didn't do that. Now growth back down to 2.5 and likely to go lower. It is almost as though the tax cut never happened, except for those pesky deficits.
Yes, actually, I am proud that he is prioritizing the safety and security of the American people over vague scientific interest in a problem that happens over and over half a world away.
Walls work, cutting illegal immigration by 99%. Provided it's done right, and you actually extend the length of the border (which the Great Wall in China does not).
Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!