But first, this government shutdown.  From the  New York Times  this morning: Each department identifies people critical to protecting life and property, and they keep working during a government shutdown. Think federal law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers and T.S.A. officers at airports. Not all agencies rely on appropriations for funding. That is why some government services continue uninterrupted. Mail is still delivered, and Social Security and Medicare payments continue.   Many of the people who keep the government running will be working without pay until the government reopens. Afterward, the law says, they must receive back wages . Further: Big difference about whether a federal worker is furloughed or fired ( same as layoff) . If furloughed, you WILL get back pay for those days not at work when you return.. If fired, you are fired. President Trump and Congressional members still get paid during a shutdown . This is the first stoppage since Janua...

 This is Day 33 of our cruise on the Norwegian Encore.  Before writing about this trip, first, one comment about Donald Trump's expected, yet medically irrational selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as director of the Department of Health and Human Services.  Why?  From the  New York Times  this morning: T rump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr.   to lead the Department of Health and Human Services . Kennedy has spread conspiracy theories and falsehoods about vaccines causing autism. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer with no training in medicine or public health, would   oversee the F.D.A., C.D.C., Medicare and Medicaid . All  these perplexing and historically outrageous selections by Trump mean two things.  He has total control over the U.S. Senate, and similarly, will have a heavy hand on what they do in office. Day 32 on the Norwegian Encore.  Pre-dinner scotch at Mixx, then to Taste. Corn soup with jalapeno and Country Fried Chicken. The...

This is Day 33 of our cruise on the Norwegian Encore.  Before writing about this trip, first, one comment about Donald Trump's expected, yet medically irrational selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as director of the Department of Health and Human Services.  Why?  From the  New York Times  this morning: T rump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr.   to lead the Department of Health and Human Services . Kennedy has spread conspiracy theories and falsehoods about vaccines causing autism. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer with no training in medicine or public health, would   oversee the F.D.A., C.D.C., Medicare and Medicaid . All  these perplexing and historically outrageous selections by Trump  mean two things.  He has total  control over the U.S. Senate, and  similarly, will have a heavy hand  on what they do in office. Day 32 on the Norwegian Encore.  Pre-dinner scotch at Mixx, then to Taste. Corn soup with jalapeno and Country ...