Paranoid Pruitt

The EPA paid a private company $3,000 to “sweep for covert/illegal surveillance devices” in Scott Pruitt’s office shortly after he arrived at the EPA, but the search didn’t turn up anything.

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean we aren't after you. I wonder if he experienced illegal bugging in his office in prior positions and what happened.

Who Writes This Stuff (3)

I received this inquiry to a Craigslist posting for a room to rent:

"Thanks for getting back to me. My name is Loretta Antoine 27yrs old Female student from Seattle WA,View my profile on instagram to see my pictures https://www.instagram.com/lorettaantoine11 ,I don't smoke nor drink and no pet. I would have loved to come and see the room but I am very far away but pictures would be okay if there is anyone, I'm presently in Hawaii on a research program. I'm coming for my master degree at your location in next 2weeks. I'm planning to pay for the first-month rent/deposit. Also, let me know if it would be possible for me to pay for the room before my arrival? Thanks"

The Instagram post seemed to make it credible but it is totally fake. 

• It had about 31 pix, all posted on Sept 10 or 11 or 18, but from obviously different years and places,
• No updates since 9/18.
• Some pix showed her as a doctor, complete with a stethoscope on a patient,
• The page claimed to have over 177 followers but since the page has only been in existence for 3 months with no new posts, that is unlikely.
• She claims to work at the "State Hospital of Seattle" which is non-existent,
• She is coming for her "master" degree, NOT "master's" degree
• in the middle of an academic year when no programs start.
• "at your location"...which location might that be?
• "would it be possible to pay for the room before my arrival?" THERE it is.

Of course I did some basic due diligence and blocked her. The key takeaway is the request to pay early. Of course, the scam is to send you a fake check in an amount greater than you asked. They then ask you to Western Union a partial refund. The bank of course claws back whatever money you thought you had and you are out of luck. And money.

Just be careful with Craigslist.

Crumbling Railways?

So, Amtrak has a derailed train in Washington State. Trump immediately criticized “crumbling” railways. In fact, this was a brand new section of track. 

June 6, 2017 in a campaign speech in Cincinnati, OH: “We are here today to talk about rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure — and we will do it using American labor, American energy and American iron, aluminum and steel.”

In fact, Trump has proposed a $630 million reduction in subsidies for certain Amtrak routes and severely limited funds to expand existing lines and build new ones. You can't rely on what he says, you can only look at what he does...without the benefit of the thought process. 

He's got thousands of smart people working for him but he wouldn't take 5 minutes to check the facts. How would you feel if you told the entire American public a huge lie, and within an hour it was shown to be, dare I say it? Fake.