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The government shutdown: all I can say is that this has been hell for all the families of E-4s and below in the US military. Many (most?) of these families are living on a salary below the poverty level as defined by the US government, and are literally living from paycheck to paycheck. I have no idea how in the world our government could allow this to happen. So much could be said, but for now, my heart simply goes out to all these folks. Those families stranded stateside while their active duty spouse was stationed at some miserable base overseas were particularly hurt. I can't imagine a mom trying to explain to her elementary children why they had even less money than they normally had.
I have incredible respect for the eight members of Schumer's caucus who had had enough and were willing to break away to end this madness. I'm particularly impressed with John Fetterman who never voted to keep the government shut down. A true statesman.
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The Book Page
The Rings Of Saturn, W. G. Sebald, Translated By Michael Hulse, c. 1995, German; English Translation, 1998.
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A Musical Interlude
