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jalan48

(13,798 posts)
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:46 AM Aug 2020

'Friday Night Massacre' at US Postal Service as Postmaster General--a Major Trump Donor--Ousts Top

Officials'


Government watchdogs, Democratic lawmakers, and pro-democracy advocates declared it a "Friday Night Massacre" for the U.S. Postal Service after news broke in a classic end-of-the-week dump that Louis DeJoy—a major GOP donor to President Donald Trump and the recently appointed Postmaster General—had issued a sweeping overhaul of the agency, including the ouster of top executives from key posts and the reshuffling of more than two dozen other officials and operational managers.


Twenty-three postal executives were reassigned or displaced, the new organizational chart shows. Analysts say the structure centralizes power around DeJoy, a former logistics executive and major ally of President Trump, and de-emphasizes decades of institutional postal knowledge. All told, 33 staffers included in the old postal hierarchy either kept their jobs or were reassigned in the restructuring, with five more staffers joining the leadership from other roles.

According to Brian Tyler Cohen, a liberal commentator and podcast host, "Congressional Democrats need to do something about this" immediately.

"If we wait until October/November, it'll be too late," said Cohen. "Trump is actively sabotaging the election under our noses—this isn't theoretical, it's happening RIGHT NOW." Cohen said this situation should be treated like a "fucking five-alarm fire" and said action must be taken by both lawmakers and the U.S. public without delay.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/friday-night-massacre-us-postal-service-postmaster-general-major-trump-donor-ousts
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'Friday Night Massacre' at US Postal Service as Postmaster General--a Major Trump Donor--Ousts Top (Original Post) jalan48 Aug 2020 OP
Despite the risks, we need to vote in-person. These people will not let our votes get to Squinch Aug 2020 #1
Agree completely! Thekaspervote Aug 2020 #29
I will drop my ballot off at an early voting site or at the BOE barbtries Aug 2020 #46
we need a usps support campaign. lindysalsagal Aug 2020 #2
Moveon is doing just that DBoon Aug 2020 #7
I just did. Ads about it are needed. lindysalsagal Aug 2020 #20
Without control of how money the USPS Mossfern Aug 2020 #19
It's worth a try, but this is not going to be fixed as long as Donny Bodybags has his toadies Squinch Aug 2020 #35
+1000 llmart Aug 2020 #38
It's the same here in Oregon StocktonNative Aug 2020 #41
Never thought of that. llmart Aug 2020 #43
Sabotage and treason at the highest level. dalton99a Aug 2020 #3
Trump is hurting the Postal Service bucolic_frolic Aug 2020 #13
It is a crime Andy823 Aug 2020 #18
Problem is the Justice Dept would have to enforce that sdfernando Aug 2020 #26
THIS malaise Aug 2020 #23
If at all possible HAND DELIVER your ballots bluestarone Aug 2020 #4
Because the Republicans back him at every turn JHB Aug 2020 #5
Exactly! Thank you! Duppers Aug 2020 #15
He spells it out so clearly: Mike 03 Aug 2020 #6
+1. People are not getting their mail. Democrats should make this a #1 topic dalton99a Aug 2020 #8
And now we see how much DeJoy meant those promises he made to House Democrats mr_lebowski Aug 2020 #9
This needs to be taken to the streets just like BLM. Tommymac Aug 2020 #10
If they continue messing with the mail it's going to backfire on them. CaptainTruth Aug 2020 #11
Many state agencies also rely on USPS They_Live Aug 2020 #14
Yes and it sucks Andy823 Aug 2020 #22
Makes you wonder if postal insurance will be honored bucolic_frolic Aug 2020 #12
KnR Hekate Aug 2020 #16
It's a federal offense to interfere with the US mail. OMGWTF Aug 2020 #17
As a federal offense, I assume it's up to the DOJ to prosecute. Lonestarblue Aug 2020 #24
And the crimes against the people of the United States just continue to pile on. cayugafalls Aug 2020 #21
Democrats have been too nice to Republicans all these years... DSandra Aug 2020 #34
There is only one way to fight a bully and that is to stand up. cayugafalls Aug 2020 #36
More corruption, Congress has to act! Jayny Aug 2020 #25
We have too many five alarm fires. -nt CrispyQ Aug 2020 #27
They are trying to rig the election!! Initech Aug 2020 #28
Make no mistake - this is the prelude to privatizing the USPS. scarletwoman Aug 2020 #30
Yep. moose65 Aug 2020 #37
Thank you for your trenchant reply - much appreciated! scarletwoman Aug 2020 #42
Our entire country is in jeopardy of being privatized and corporatized. cayugafalls Aug 2020 #39
The plutocrats have almost completely won. scarletwoman Aug 2020 #44
I have never been more fearful in my life. You are so right. We will never get it back. cayugafalls Aug 2020 #45
This is pure treachery - an attempt to pervert the election BSdetect Aug 2020 #31
Democrats need to stop being feeble and fight aggressively! DSandra Aug 2020 #32
K & R warmfeet Aug 2020 #33
Not only slowed it down from Covid slowness, but now creating CHAOS to slow it more. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2020 #40
We've noticed a real slowdown in the mail. At this point we seem to be getting it only a couple Vinca Aug 2020 #47

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
1. Despite the risks, we need to vote in-person. These people will not let our votes get to
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:47 AM
Aug 2020

their destinations.

barbtries

(28,702 posts)
46. I will drop my ballot off at an early voting site or at the BOE
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:47 PM
Aug 2020

but at this point I will not risk mailing it, unless this gets fixed asap.

Mossfern

(2,375 posts)
19. Without control of how money the USPS
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:52 PM
Aug 2020

is used, any campaign to support them will not be effective with Trump's henchmen controlling it.

Hate to be a Debby Downer

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
35. It's worth a try, but this is not going to be fixed as long as Donny Bodybags has his toadies
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:07 PM
Aug 2020

running the Post Office.

We will fix the Post Office when Joe gets elected, but in the meantime, vote in person or drop off your ballet and don't send it through the mail.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
38. +1000
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:17 PM
Aug 2020

My precinct has a drop off box very similar to a mail box but with a huge sign that says "For Completed Ballots Only". You don't even need to get out of your car. They also have a slot in the brick wall of their building where you can drop off your ballot. I think all precincts should have this.

StocktonNative

(120 posts)
41. It's the same here in Oregon
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:20 PM
Aug 2020

drop off boxes at various locations and mostly at public libraries in towns.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
43. Never thought of that.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:25 PM
Aug 2020

Public libraries are a great place to put the boxes as long as the public doesn't drop off their overdue items in them.

Andy823

(11,495 posts)
18. It is a crime
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:47 PM
Aug 2020
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1703

18 U.S. Code § 1703. Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
U.S. Code

(a) Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, unlawfully secretes, destroys, detains, delays, or opens any letter, postal card, package, bag, or mail entrusted to him or which shall come into his possession, and which was intended to be conveyed by mail, or carried or delivered by any carrier or other employee of the Postal Service, or forwarded through or delivered from any post office or station thereof established by authority of the Postmaster General or the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(b) Whoever, being a Postal Service officer or employee, improperly detains, delays, or destroys any newspaper, or permits any other person to detain, delay, or destroy the same, or opens, or permits any other person to open, any mail or package of newspapers not directed to the office where he is employed; or
Whoever, without authority, opens, or destroys any mail or package of newspapers not directed to him, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

sdfernando

(4,897 posts)
26. Problem is the Justice Dept would have to enforce that
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 01:21 PM
Aug 2020

I'm sure Barr is right on top of this.


.... as if I really need this.

Mike 03

(16,616 posts)
6. He spells it out so clearly:
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 11:59 AM
Aug 2020
"Trump is actively sabotaging the election under our noses—this isn't theoretical, it's happening RIGHT NOW." Cohen said this situation should be treated like a "fucking five-alarm fire" and said action must be taken by both lawmakers and the U.S. public without delay.


I've been writing everyone I can think of: congressman, senators, Speaker Pelosi, begging them to take action. I'm trying to add nonpartisan arguments too, like the fact that many of us in voluntary lockdown are dependent upon the USPS.

If your reps are RePUKES, point out how it hurts them too.

One of my senators, McSally, is in the race for her life and I know she depends on mail in ballots. (She's going to lose, but I didn't tell her that in the letter, I kissed butt a little bit).

dalton99a

(81,073 posts)
8. +1. People are not getting their mail. Democrats should make this a #1 topic
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:05 PM
Aug 2020

The conspiracy is criminal.


 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
9. And now we see how much DeJoy meant those promises he made to House Democrats
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:13 PM
Aug 2020

just a couple days ago ...

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
10. This needs to be taken to the streets just like BLM.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:29 PM
Aug 2020

Perhaps Michelle can take this on as a community activist...

CaptainTruth

(6,546 posts)
11. If they continue messing with the mail it's going to backfire on them.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:30 PM
Aug 2020

Folks don't like it when their meds & checks are late.

They_Live

(3,222 posts)
14. Many state agencies also rely on USPS
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:36 PM
Aug 2020

to conduct required notifications, registration renwals, titles, certified mail, etc.

Andy823

(11,495 posts)
22. Yes and it sucks
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:59 PM
Aug 2020

I get my vehicle tabs online. I usually get a notice weeks ahead of time, but this year I got the notice for my truck 10 days "after" they were due. I already had renewed them so I had no problems. Now another vehicle is due, which I have already renewed, but I have not received a notice and they expire this coming Tuesday!

This is total BS, and trump is behind it. He needs to be voted out in HUGE numbers on Election Day!

bucolic_frolic

(42,676 posts)
12. Makes you wonder if postal insurance will be honored
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:34 PM
Aug 2020

and is there anyone to complain to? Or any money to pay claims?

This is like a bankrupting insurance company. Once the trust is gone, it's gone.

Lonestarblue

(9,880 posts)
24. As a federal offense, I assume it's up to the DOJ to prosecute.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 01:11 PM
Aug 2020

We all know that won’t happen because Barr does everything he can to help Trump’s reelection. I wonder if a US Attorney could bring an indictment against DeJoy for deliberately delaying the mail.

cayugafalls

(5,631 posts)
21. And the crimes against the people of the United States just continue to pile on.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 12:56 PM
Aug 2020

Will it stop? Will anyone in government start thinking that we can't wait until November to stop this madness?

Trump has started lying and saying that it is the Democrats who are cheating on the election when we all know that it is him and his administration that is actively cheating and thwarting the election process at every turn.

Write all congresspeople you can, letters to the editor, do whatever you can to get the word out.

This. Can. Not. Stand.

DSandra

(999 posts)
34. Democrats have been too nice to Republicans all these years...
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 01:58 PM
Aug 2020

The party needs to act like warriors fighting a war. It needs to act like millions will suffer and die if we don’t win! It needs some of the best and brightest minds for strategy! It needs much better unity and organization!

cayugafalls

(5,631 posts)
36. There is only one way to fight a bully and that is to stand up.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:09 PM
Aug 2020

You are correct that we are fighting a war. Trump has made that clear. He calls democrats demons, evil, animals, threats to democracy. He dog whistles his base to attack and kill us. My wife and friends fear for their safety due to his racist rhetoric.

All democratic leaders need to stand up to the evil that is this administration.

Call, write, do letters to the editor, join your local democratic organization. Be a strong voice and give strength as best you can to others. That is what we need at this time.

Jayny

(5 posts)
25. More corruption, Congress has to act!
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 01:15 PM
Aug 2020

Of course they’ll all make it sound like “necessary cost saving reform” or blame the post office troubles on the pandemic. But that’s their excuses and sloppy reporting.
But when it looks and smells like corruption coming from Trump, it is. He puts in his crony at a non partisan position to muck with the mail, and hurt mail in ballots. Congress has to do something now!

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
30. Make no mistake - this is the prelude to privatizing the USPS.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 01:48 PM
Aug 2020

The Republican Party and their corporate donors have been salivating for many years to privatize the U.S. Postal Service - which they consider an unfair competitor with privately owned delivery services like UPS and FEDEX.

Once the USPS is privatized, we'll never get it back.

moose65

(3,164 posts)
37. Yep.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:14 PM
Aug 2020

Once it's gone - broken up with the most profitable routes sold off, leaving only a shell to serve rural and far-flung areas - we will never get it back.

People don't understand the consequences - since the USPS has the infrastructure to deliver to every address in the country, no matter how remote - they deliver a shitload of stuff for UPS, FedEx, and Amazon. If that suddenly went away, delivery prices would skyrocket, and people would be BEGGING to get the Postal Service back.

Plus, if FedEx or UPS ever went bankrupt, the Postal Service would be there to pick up the slack.

As I have tried to explain to Facebook trolls many times: the Post Office is a SERVICE, like fire departments or trash pickup. Do people expect fire departments to make a profit? Do they expect municipal water systems to make a profit? Of course not - it's ridiculous.

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)
42. Thank you for your trenchant reply - much appreciated!
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:25 PM
Aug 2020

I can't really add anything, other than to reiterate how crucial an issue this is.

cayugafalls

(5,631 posts)
39. Our entire country is in jeopardy of being privatized and corporatized.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:18 PM
Aug 2020

The next and final step is Fascist Corporatism. We are almost there.

This has to stop.

cayugafalls

(5,631 posts)
45. I have never been more fearful in my life. You are so right. We will never get it back.
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:32 PM
Aug 2020

These are dire times.

I sometimes wonder if it is not too late. I just have to keep hoping.

Vinca

(50,170 posts)
47. We've noticed a real slowdown in the mail. At this point we seem to be getting it only a couple
Sat Aug 8, 2020, 02:50 PM
Aug 2020

of times a week. Doesn't it matter to anyone that this bozo DeJoy and his wife own stock in UPS? It's a conflict of interest at best and a plot to take down the post office at its worst.

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