NEW: The Biden administration arrived in January to find an exodus of foreign service officers at State, climate scientists gone at Interior and EPA, and workplace safety inspectors at Labor dropped under Trump. @rbravender reports on the path ahead. ($)

So post President Biden’s inauguration speech, we’re going to see more #SouthernStrategy rhetoric emerge.

In particular, white folk being upset about the terms “racism” and “racist.”

And, I’m going to share response technique that my mother always used to clarity her points...

Condemn the actions not the person.

White folk see “racist” through a shallow criteria of taboo racism; saying “nigger” in the open or being a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

Even then racism will be met as an abstract. It’s why even overt racism doesn’t always register.

See; domestic terror attack on the US Capitol.

So because they want to internalize the term as a slur, without giving a single thought to their behavior — separate them.

Condemn the actions not the person.

It’s a great way to dismantle the tactics and put a spotlight on what racism is.

Here’s examples of my mom doing it...

“You’re not bad, but what you said was bad.”

“You’re not stupid, but what you did was stupid.”

This allowed her to correct me by examining my actions, extrapolating deeds and their effect on others.

I have been listening to Biden's recording with Civil Rights leaders and his tone and bs was a trip I wasn't ready for.

The disrespect was absolutely unacceptable. No self-respecting African-American should be allowing old White dudes to talk to them this way. (THREAD)

The other thing that irritated me was his demand that we work with White Hispanics. We GOTTA do it.

Nobody is else is told they have to work with other racial groups except African-Americans. No other racial groups are ridin for us!

I'll show you. 2/

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) advocates for all people of colors. It was founded by Blacks, but looked out for all the Brown immigrants that came here AFTER us.

Black folks fought for and protected the rights of all non-White people.
3/

Other groups don't. I looked.

The National Council for Asians and Pacific Islanders don’t advocate for Black people. I haven't heard on call for them to help and support Black people.

The Jewish Federations don’t advocate for Black people either. Nobody is telling them they need to include Black people in their agendas or work with them.

bankers against Biden's fiscal plan could really do with some proper fact-checking before sending their op-ed to the FT.

We all understand 'it's ideology, stupid!', but no excuse for lazy arguments.

apparently, the Gospel according to Morgan Stanley is that we havent had enough neoliberalism for the past 4 decades

if you click on BIS link, it tells you monetary policy, not higher deficits, are associated with wealth inequality.

Incidentally, unconventional monetary policy through which central banks basically rescued banks after they nearly destroyed the global financial system in 2008

speaking of government spending, who else but Morgan Stanley got $10 billion in equity investments from US Treasury in 2008?

I cant think of a more productivity-enhancing outlay for 10bn of public funds.

the OECD 'evidence' that 'four straight decades of growing government intervention in the economy have led to slowing productivity growth' is also, excuse my language, a lot of bullshit.

President Biden sprung into climate action on his first day in office, but he will need to rely on his Cabinet choices to help deliver on his climate goals.

Here's a quick guide to the top 10 climate-relevant Cabinet nominees. THREAD ⬇️ https://t.co/OnCEjtaclz

1/ If confirmed, @DebHaalandNM will become the first Indigenous Cabinet secretary. As secretary of the interior, Haaland would steward 500 million acres of public lands, manage oil and gas leases, and be tasked with upholding Indigenous treaty rights.

2/ Former Michigan Governor @JenGranholm is Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Energy. She would help lead the transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles and start work on Biden’s goal of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035.

3/ @Michael_S_Regan is Biden’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, leading efforts to regulate industrial pollution and carbon emissions.

Regan founded North Carolina’s first Environmental Justice and Equity Board.

4/ Former Secretary of State John Kerry (@ClimateEnvoy) is Biden’s pick for special envoy on climate change. If confirmed, Kerry will have a seat on the National Security Council, guiding American foreign policy on climate.