Friday’s mass layoffs at the State Department are not just about jobs lost, but a disruption to the institutional memory, relationships, and expertise that underpin meaningful diplomacy.

These career professionals have served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, often in extremely challenging posts around the world, with little recognition and immense dedication. 1/

👀

"KERR COUNTY folks didn’t want to take money from “The Biden Regime” that could’ve been used for a flood warning system 👇🏽"

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:5o6k7jvowuyaquloafzn3cfw/post/3ltpqv4ei6k2h

NEW: Spyware maker Paragon says its $2 million contract with ICE is still inactive and under review, meaning the company hasn’t provided its surveillance tech to the agency yet.

If the U.S. government approves the contract, Paragon will face the dilemma of continuing its relationship with an agency that’s very different today compared to when the contract was signed in 2024.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/11/can-an-ethical-spyware-maker-provide-its-tech-to-ice/

Regarding my question about keeping my copper phone lines or not, I just saw this which I'd missed before; AT&T has announced it intends to get rid of its copper networks by 2029, assuming regulators allow that. California might be an exception.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/att-to-retire-traditional-landlines-by-2029-except-in-this-state

In 2024, California said no to its request to get out of its Carrier of Last Resort obligations.
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-rejects-att-request-to-withdraw-as-carrier.

But it's trying again:
https://www.ptreyeslight.com/news/landlines-endangered-by-rule-update/

@ai6yr @sindarina @mattblaze
@MsMerope

#POTS