- Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter
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- Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter
ICE whistleblower says training was pared back and “deficient, defective, and broken” during hiring surge
Our take: It is possible for multiple statements to hold true simultaneously. We can support controlling our borders and at the same time demand that the people that are responsible for these actions are well trained and not violating people’s rights as they perform them. Kudos to this guy for stepping up and shining a light on what he witnessed.
Hopefully this is addressed swiftly and correctly by the administration. If it is found to be true, it needs to be corrected immediately, and there needs to be swift and commensurate punishment for those that made the decisions to enable what appears to be an egregious mistake.
COURTESY: THE HILL
House committee accuses Walz administration of actively stonewalling fraud investigation
Our take: The House Education and Workforce Committee said in a letter that the Walz administration intentionally left out documents, communications, and text messages related to the $300 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal that saw over 80 people convicted so far. The House Committee is investigating what the government knew, when they knew it, and if they ignored warnings and reports from people who were trying to stop it.
Mr. Walz became nationally known when he was tapped as the VP candidate for Kamala Harris’ failed bid for the Presidency. During the campaign, Mr. Walz was caught in several lies, notably the circumstances around his DUI arrest as a young man in Nebraska, the circumstances of his rank when he retired from the National Guard, and his location during the world-famous protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Unfortunately for Mr. Walz, most of us have not forgotten that we cannot trust his word. We are going to need to see the proof that you and your administration were not actively involved in this fraud before we let it go. Time to turn over the documents, pal.
COURTESY: MSN
Former NFL player convicted in $328 million Medicare scam
Our take: Here is one more case of rampant fraud in government-funded programs. Think back a year ago when Elon Musk was running DOGE and ask yourself why so many government employees, elected officials, and those who make their living off these programs protested so vociferously during that process.
We still contend that if we were ever able to do a deep dive on the military, Medicare, and Medicaid budgets, we could cut the federal government spending in half overnight. This case is more supporting evidence for our theory.
COURTESY: MSN
Tip of the day – How to approach difficult conversations
Create A Safe Space
When things go wrong in crucial conversations, most people assume the content of their message is the problem. So they try to explain it differently, or try to water it down, or just stop talking altogether.
However, difficult conversations usually go off track because people don’t feel safe and supported. They feel like their position, or their pride, or their livelihood is at risk.
However, when your intent is clear, you’re giving off supportive vibes, and you make things safe, you can talk to almost anyone about anything.
To create a safe environment, people need to know that you care about their best interests and goals and that you share some of the same interests. This is called mutual purpose. They also need to know that you care about them as individuals. This is called mutual respect.
You can let them know both implicitly (with your body language and facial expressions, by listening first, by not interrupting, by showing that you’re clearly interested in their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives) and explicitly (by telling them “I want you to know that I care about your interests and goals here. I’ve thought about them a lot and think I have a sense for what they might be. But I’d love to hear them from your perspective first so I’m sure to get it right.”)
Keep in mind that no amount of posturing replaces real care.
That’s why, leading into crucial conversations, your time is better spent thinking about why the people involved, and your relationships with them, are valuable vs. what you’re going to say next. By actually caring, and by demonstrating you care, people can relax and can absorb what you’re saying. They feel safe.
However, the instant they don’t believe you care (and it can happen instantaneously—even with those we have long and loving relationships with), safety breaks down and silence, collapse, or hostility follows.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.” – John Spence