Help wanted, no experience necessary.

Here is a list, as of today, of all of the positions in Government that Donald J. Trump has not nominated ANYONE for. 515 jobs, out of 549 he has to personally fill that require Senate confirmation. This is your Government Inaction, ladies and germs.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE111 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary for management and resources — NO NOMINEE Legal adviser — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for management — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for arms control and international security affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for legislative affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for intelligence and research — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for economic growth, energy and environment — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for political affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for public diplomacy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for arms control, verification, and compliance — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international security and nonproliferation affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for political-military affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for crisis and stabilization operations — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for democracy, human rights and labor — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international narcotics and law enforcement — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for population, refugees and migration — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for economic and business affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for energy resources — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for oceans and international, environmental and scientific affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for consular affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for diplomatic security — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for African affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for European and Eurasian affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international organization affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for South Asian affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for educational and cultural affairs — NO NOMINEE Chief of protocol — NO NOMINEE Coordinator for counter-terrorism — NO NOMINEE Director general, foreign service and director of human resources — NO NOMINEE Director, Office of Foreign Missions — NO NOMINEE Coordinator for threat reduction programs — NO NOMINEE Alternate representative to the United Nations for special political affairs — NO NOMINEE Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking with the rank of ambassador at large — NO NOMINEE Ambassador-at-large and coordinator of United States government activities to combat HIV/AIDS globally — NO NOMINEE Ambassador at-large for war crimes issues — NO NOMINEE Ambassador-at-large for global women's issues — NO NOMINEE Ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Argentina — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Australia — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Belgium — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Belize — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Venezuela — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Canada — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Czech Republic — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Dominican Republic — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Germany — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, France & Monaco — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Luxembourg — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Holy See — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, India — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Ireland — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Afghanistan — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Italy & San Marino — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Japan — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Denmark — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Morocco — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Saudi Arabia — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Netherlands — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, New Zealand & Samoa — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Norway — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Bolivia — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Austria — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Belarus — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Costa Rica — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Finland — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Hungary — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Iceland — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Korea — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Portugal — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Singapore — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, South Africa — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Trinidad and Tobago — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Spain & Andorra — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Eritrea — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Sweden — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Switzerland & Principality of Liechtenstein — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Syria — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Bahamas — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Tanzania — NO NOMINEE Ambassador, Cuba — NO NOMINEE Permanent representative of the United States on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations — NO NOMINEE Permanent representative of the United States to the Organization of American States — NO NOMINEE Public delegate, alternate U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly — NO NOMINEE Public delegate, alternate U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly — NO NOMINEE Public delegate, U.S. representative to the U.N. General Assembly — NO NOMINEE Representative of the United States to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — NO NOMINEE Representative of the United States to the European Union — NO NOMINEE Representative of the United States to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — NO NOMINEE Representative of the United States to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — NO NOMINEE Representative of the United States to the Vienna office of the United Nations and representative of the United States to the International Atomic Energy Agency — NO NOMINEE Representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations — NO NOMINEE Representative to the United Nations for management and reform — NO NOMINEE Special envoy for North Korea human rights issues — NO NOMINEE Special representative of the president for nuclear non-proliferation with the rank of ambassador — NO NOMINEE U.S. representative to the Office of the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva — NO NOMINEE United States deputy representative to the United Nations — NO NOMINEE U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy — NO NOMINEE U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy — NO NOMINEE U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy — NO NOMINEE U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy — NO NOMINEE Special envoy to promote religious freedom of religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia with the rank of ambassador — NO NOMINEE U.S. representative to the Conference on Disarmament, with the rank of ambassador — NO NOMINEE Representative of the U.S. on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, with rank of ambassador — NO NOMINEE U.S. representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, with rank of ambassador — NO NOMINEE Special representative of the president for nuclear nonproliferation, with the rank of ambassador — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE12 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for civil rights — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for congressional relations — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for farm and foreign agricultural services — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for food safety — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for natural resources and environment — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for research, education and economics — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for rural development — DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE19 positions NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for legislative and intergovernmental affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for intellectual property and director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for industry and security — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for economic affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for international trade — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for standards and technology — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for economic development — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for export enforcement — NO NOMINEE Director general for the United States and Foreign Commercial Service and assistant secretary for global markets — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for enforcement and compliance — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for environmental observation and prediction — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for communications and information — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for export administration — NO NOMINEE Director, Census Bureau — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for industry and analysis — DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE50 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — NO NOMINEE Under secretary/comptroller — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for policy — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for intelligence — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for legislative affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for reserve affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary of the Air Force — NO NOMINEE General counsel of the Air Force — NO NOMINEE Secretary of the Army — NO NOMINEE Under secretary of the Army — NO NOMINEE General counsel of the Army — NO NOMINEE Under secretary of the Navy — NO NOMINEE General counsel of the Navy — NO NOMINEE Director for operational test and evaluation — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for personnel and readiness — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy under secretary for policy — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy under secretary for intelligence — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy under secretary for personnel and readiness — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy under secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy under secretary (comptroller) — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for Asian and Pacific security affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for homeland defense and global security affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international security affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for special operations/low intensity conflict — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for acquisition — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for logistics and materiel readiness — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for nuclear, chemical and biological defense — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for energy, installations and environment — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for research and engineering — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for health affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs — NO NOMINEE Deputy chief management officer — NO NOMINEE Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, logistics — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller, Department of the Air Force — NO NOMINEE Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Army for civil works — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Army for financial management and comptroller, Department of the Army — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics, and technology — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations, and environment — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Navy for financial management and comptroller, Department of the Navy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition — DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION14 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for legislation and congressional affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for civil rights — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for communications and outreach — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for planning, evaluation and policy development — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for postsecondary education — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for career, technical and adult education — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration — NO NOMINEE Director of the Institute of Education Sciences — DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY21 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for management and performance — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for nuclear security/administrator for nuclear security — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental affairs — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for science — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for electricity delivery and energy reliability — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for environmental management — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for fossil energy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for nuclear energy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international affairs — NO NOMINEE Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration — NO NOMINEE Director, energy advanced research projects department — NO NOMINEE Director, Office of Minority Economic Impact — NO NOMINEE Director, Office of Science — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator for defense programs, National Nuclear Security Administration — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation — NO NOMINEE Principal deputy administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration — DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES14 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for legislation — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for financial resources — NO NOMINEE Director, National Institutes of Health — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for aging and administrator, Administration for Community Living — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for children and families — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for health — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for planning and evaluation — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for preparedness and response — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Administration for Children, Youth and Families — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY14 positions NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for management — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for intelligence and analysis — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for national protection and programs directorate — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for science and technology — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security Administration — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency — NO NOMINEE Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator for protection and national preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency — DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT11 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental relations — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for community planning and development — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for housing and federal housing commissioner — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for policy development and research — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for public and indian housing — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for administration/chief human capital officer — NO NOMINEE President, Government National Mortgage Association — DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE23 positions NO NOMINEE Solicitor general — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the antitrust division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the national security division — NO NOMINEE Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the civil division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the civil rights division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the criminal division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the environment and natural resources division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the justice programs division — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant attorney general for the tax division — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator, Drug Enforcement Administration — NO NOMINEE Director, Community Relations Service — NO NOMINEE Director, Office on Violence Against Women — NO NOMINEE Director, U.S. Marshals Service — NO NOMINEE Special counsel for immigration-related unfair employment practices — NO NOMINEE Chairman, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, U.S. Parole Commission — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, U.S. Parole Commission — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, U.S. Parole Commission — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, U.S. Parole Commission — DEPARTMENT OF LABOR13 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE Solicitor — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for employee benefits security — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for employment and training — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for mine safety and health — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for occupational safety and health — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for disability employment policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for veterans employment and training — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics — NO NOMINEE Administrator, wage and hour division — DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION18 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for budget and programs and chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for governmental affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary of transportation for policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for transportation policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Federal Highway Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Federal Transit Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Maritime Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration — NO NOMINEE Member, Surface Transportation Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Surface Transportation Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Surface Transportation Board — DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS10 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for memorial affairs — NO NOMINEE Under Secretary for Health — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for benefits — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for information and technology — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for policy and planning — NO NOMINEE Chairman, board of veterans' appeals — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR16 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE Solicitor — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary of Indian affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for insular areas — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for land and minerals management — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for water and science — NO NOMINEE Director, Bureau of Land Management — NO NOMINEE Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation — NO NOMINEE Director, National Park Service — NO NOMINEE Director, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement — NO NOMINEE Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — NO NOMINEE Director, U.S. Geological Survey — NO NOMINEE Special trustee for American Indians — DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY26 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy secretary — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for international affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence — NO NOMINEE Assistant Secretary (Deputy Under Secretary) for Legislative Affairs — NO NOMINEE Under secretary for domestic finance — NO NOMINEE Deputy Under Secretary/Designated Assistant Secretary for International Finance — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for economic policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for financial institutions — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for financial markets — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for financial stability — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for intelligence and analysis — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for international markets and development — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for tax policy — NO NOMINEE Assistant secretary for terrorist financing — NO NOMINEE Director, U.S. Mint — NO NOMINEE Chief counsel, Internal Revenue Service — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — NO NOMINEE Member, Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board — EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT20 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy director, Office of Management and Budget — NO NOMINEE Deputy director for management, Office of Management and Budget — NO NOMINEE Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management — NO NOMINEE Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy — NO NOMINEE Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs — NO NOMINEE Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy — NO NOMINEE Director of National Drug Control Policy — NO NOMINEE Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality — NO NOMINEE Member, Council on Environmental Quality — NO NOMINEE Member, Council on Environmental Quality — NO NOMINEE Deputy U.S. trade representative, (rank of ambassador) — NO NOMINEE Deputy U.S. trade representative — NO NOMINEE Deputy U.S. trade representative — NO NOMINEE Associate director for environment, office of science and technology policy — NO NOMINEE Associate director for science, office of science and technology policy — NO NOMINEE Associate director for technology, office of science and technology policy — NO NOMINEE Associate director for national security and international affairs, Office of Science and Technology Policy — NO NOMINEE Intellectual property enforcement coordinator — NO NOMINEE Chief agricultural negotiator — CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY2 positions NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Statutory inspector general — ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY12 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Chief financial officer — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for water — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for administration and resources management — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for air and radiation — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for environmental information — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for international and tribal affairs — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for research and development — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for solid waste and emergency response — OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE3 positions NO NOMINEE Principal deputy director — NO NOMINEE General counsel — NO NOMINEE Director of the National Counterterrorism Center — SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION3 positions NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator — NO NOMINEE Chief counsel for advocacy — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION2 positions NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES1 position NO NOMINEE Chairman — APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION1 position NO NOMINEE Federal co-chairman — BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS1 position NO NOMINEE Director, International Broadcasting Bureau — CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD1 position NO NOMINEE Board member — COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION3 positions NO NOMINEE Chairman — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE1 position NO NOMINEE Chief executive officer — DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD1 position NO NOMINEE Board member — DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY1 position NO NOMINEE Federal co-chairman — EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION1 position NO NOMINEE Member — EXPORT-IMPORT BANK6 positions NO NOMINEE Member, board of directors — NO NOMINEE Member, board of directors — NO NOMINEE Member, board of directors — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — NO NOMINEE President and chairman — NO NOMINEE Vice president and vice chairman — FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION1 position NO NOMINEE Member — FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION2 positions NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION1 position NO NOMINEE Board member — FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION4 positions NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION3 positions NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION2 positions NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE1 position NO NOMINEE Director — FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION1 position NO NOMINEE Commissioner — FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM2 positions NO NOMINEE Governor — NO NOMINEE Governor — FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION3 positions NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION1 position NO NOMINEE Administrator — INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION3 positions NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD2 positions NO NOMINEE Chairman — NO NOMINEE Member — MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION1 position NO NOMINEE Chief executive officer — NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION3 positions NO NOMINEE Administrator — NO NOMINEE Chief Financial Officer — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator — NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION1 position NO NOMINEE Board member — NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD2 positions NO NOMINEE Board member — NO NOMINEE Board member — NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD3 positions NO NOMINEE Chairman — NO NOMINEE Board member — NO NOMINEE Board member — NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION1 position NO NOMINEE Deputy director — NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY1 position NO NOMINEE Inspector general — NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD3 positions NO NOMINEE Board member — NO NOMINEE Board member — NO NOMINEE Board member — NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION1 position NO NOMINEE Federal co-chairperson — NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION2 positions NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION1 position NO NOMINEE Commission member — OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT3 positions NO NOMINEE Director — NO NOMINEE Deputy director — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COUNSEL1 position NO NOMINEE Special counsel — OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION8 positions NO NOMINEE Executive vice president — NO NOMINEE President and CEO — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — PEACE CORPS2 positions NO NOMINEE Director — NO NOMINEE Deputy director — POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION3 positions NO NOMINEE Chairman — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD1 position NO NOMINEE Member of Board — SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION3 positions NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Deputy commissioner — NO NOMINEE Inspector general — TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY1 position NO NOMINEE Director — UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT11 positions NO NOMINEE Administrator — NO NOMINEE Deputy administrator — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for Africa — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for Asia — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for democracy, conflict, and humanitarian assistance — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for global health — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for the Middle East — NO NOMINEE Assistant administrator for legislative and public affairs — NO NOMINEE Administrator for economic growth, education and environment — UNITED STATES ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION2 positions NO NOMINEE Member — NO NOMINEE Member — UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION4 positions NO NOMINEE Chairman — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner — NO NOMINEE Commissioner —

How many Rooskies ARE THERE in the White House?

Cheap Shots:

Buh-bye and all that, but I'm concerned that they've called in a man CONVICTED of sharing classified information as his replacement.

This coming from a guy who changed his name from Gerry Rivers.

Favorite quote so far today? "How pathetic is Flynn's tenure? If he was William Henry Harrison's NSA, Harrison would be able to name another NSA before dying a week later"

Why yes, I'd say that the leaks will continue!

Mark my words, someone is going to die.

Searching the skies can get you a DUI.

This is kinda awesome, and kinda stomach-churning too.

And as always, John Oliver takes everything to a whole new level.

You never go the FULL Nixon!

There be consequences of cozying up this close to the Shirtless One.

That blogger fucker who said that Hillary was dying a week before the election now has White House credentials.

In bed with, literally.

It is worth noting that this article about a Spy revolt comes from the news organization owned by Trump's son-in-law. Grains of salt may be necessary.

I notice that FEMA is doing a heck-of-a job, even though it hasn't yet been authorized by Presidential order.

Wow. Melissa Macarthy used Skype to get a friendly question!

Mar-a-lagate?

Um... 12 years ago Arnold Schwarzenegger was Governor.
And because I love you and to kick off a happy VD, here's Diana Krall doing Jim Croce:

Grammys Schmammys

I don't watch the Grammys anymore. I haven't in years. Because I'm in the music industry I actually know how this stuff works, and quite frankly the Grammys are all about rewarding public profiles and record sales - not the quality of the music. Yeah, some good stuff does get through and does win (Pentatonix's wonder version of Dolly Parton's Jolene being a good example this year) but most of the nominees are safe. Most of the winners are safe.

Adele over Beyonce is safe.

To give you some perspective, the song above was nominated by the Independent Music Awards for best rock song by a group or duo. I was asked to buy tickets for a table for the awards ceremony. $6,000 that I didn't have at that moment. I do not know the behind-the-scenes mechinations of how the winner was finally picked, but I do know that the winner bought a table.

A lot of money is put up to get to the Grammys. And I don't think you should call something "best" because it has a lot of money behind it. So, no Grammys for me. Instead I watched this unfold, hoping we don't wind up with another New Orleans in Central California...

Monday CHEAP SHOTS:

Axlotl Tanks.

I'm pretty sure that as the wait staff and others didn't have the security clearance to be in the room while Trump and Abe discussed North Korea's launch of a missile into the Sea of Japan, that he'll have THEM arrested for espionage instead of admitting that he broke security laws.

"no challenge is to great"

If you ever needed a listing of great, off-beat romantic comedies, this is it. That the list includes The Tall Guy should give you hope for the world.

I think that Trump has finally found his Otto Dietrich.

Interestingly enough, it would also be illegal for Kellyanne Conway to pitch this. Even if it is better.

A seat in the Situation Room for only $200K.

Hey, that 2-year-old kid in tow behind the man in the bathrobe is all growed-up!

Here is how to make a proper Sidecar:

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1 lemon wedge
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) Cognac
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) Cointreau or other Triple Sec orange liqueur
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) fresh lemon juice
1 cup ice

PREPARATION

Spread superfine sugar on small plate. Rub lemon wedge halfway around rim of chilled martini or coupe glass. Dip moistened side of glass in sugar to lightly coat outside rim of glass. Set aside. In cocktail shaker, combine Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. Add ice and shake vigorously until well chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into prepared martini or coupe glass and serve.

I didn't give you the Mimosa recipe because you might be tempted to throw it at this man, and I am against the spilling of alcohol on general principal. 

If you have free time at 6PM PST on Monday nights, this is a fun way to waste your time.

It's a fair point - it doesn't help their fascist cause that the guy they detained is a hipster-hottie, NASA scientist, US-Born (citizen!), eco-warrior who travels the world so frequently for work and his hobbies that he is "enrolled in Global Entry — a program through Customs and Border Patrol that allows individuals who have undergone background checks to have expedited entry into the country." Who immediately reported what his own government did, to his own employer.

Wow. This Faux News Special Correspondent makes a good point. The California drought must really be over!

Just to be clear, it's not the dam that is failing. It's the earth around the dam. See the drone footage for yourself.

Dudes, dudes, dudes. The problem isn't the goddamned leaks. It's that it goddamned HAPPENED.

Twitter just made the list.

Hand shaking!

Where's my damned L&O twist?

I still say that calling these fuckers Nazis is fair game.

And because I love you, A Tribe Called Quest!

(rip Phife)

Doing much better than Jamie Oliver did, at least until...

There is a story about School Lunches you should really read here. If I may quote a key paragraph:

"Rhonda McCoy is emphatic that kids shouldn’t be punished for their families’ financial situations. “It’s not their fault that the parents didn’t pay the bill,” she said. Before CEP, she remembers getting calls, which she said “broke my heart,” about students who chose to go hungry rather than have an embarrassing conversation about money. But if Rokita wins this battle, more than 7,000 schools, feeding nearly 3.4 million kids, will once again have to start charging for some meals. In West Virginia, the new formula would exclude 327 schools, including all 26 in Cabell County. “This would all be over,” McCoy told me. “It would kill us.”

Without further adooooo, here come the CHEAP SHOTS:

It was called The Apprentice, not Orange is the new Black.

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: The police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. But fuck it. She has been counseled.

A bit of history regarding Rule 19.

Also, Nevertheless, She Persisted. Proceeds to the ACLU. Designed by a friend of mine.

Well, Ah do Declare!

It is hilarious to me that this twitter account actually exists.

Some people are reading this as being about Trump's ignorance on the most basic of treaties. I read this as a souring of the french-kissing relationship between the two men.

Queue the hissy-fit about passing the torch to a black man in three... two...

You can't get them at TGIFriday's anymore, but here's the recipe for a 77 Sunset Strip:

Ingredients:
1/2 oz Vodka (Finlandia)
1/2 oz Gin (Tanqueray)
1/2 oz Spiced rum (Captain Morgan's)
1/2 oz Triple sec (Bandolero)
1 1/2 oz Pineapple juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
Top with 1 splash Sprite or 7-Up
Mixing instructions:
Mix vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, pineapple juice and grenadine together in a highball glass over ice. Top it with a splash of Sprite. Garnish with a strawberry and an orange slice.

Speaking of drinks, did you know that when you order a Rum & Coke you're ordering this drink?

If this is what you think Trump had in mind, you'd be right. Your rapists and drug dealers, ladies and gentlemen.

Because today is National Pizza day AND National Bagel day, you should click here.
Wanna hear something crazy about California? The very same utility companies that in the rest of the country complain that they can't burn enough coal and oil because of too many regulations do this instead.

Alt-POTUS45

Smell that? Smells like a ramp-up!

Pencils up!

"Changes to policies are rolling out fast with the believed intent to eliminate all rogues. Excluding certain staff from meetings, briefings. Phones to be left locked in desk at times for certain random staffers, much more supervision and eyes around the office. Different agencies are believed 2be reviewing rogue accounts & cross analyzing 2 see who knew what & when In a process of elimination manner. We have no idea how many people are involved in reviewing the material and how fast they can process it. Staffers seem nervous to gossip. A deep sense of heavy air and fear swept in this afternoon."
And because I love you and to celebrate this landmark event, I give you Thomas Dolby:

I find your lack of faith amusing

I admit that I've never understood the whole hullabaloo about being opposed to equal rights for gays, lesbians, trans, asexual... hell anyone. These people have existed all through time and I for one am glad to help put light in the shadows so that these people can be as free as I am. But I have always been amazed by the idea that a person's faith is what is directing the opposition to these rights.

People who use their faith as a reason for this line of thinking always seem to hide behind the simple idea of "if only they were more like us" or "if they weren't like that then we wouldn't have an issue". From the mildest student at BYU to the most rabid Westboro Baptist it all seems to be the same. "Stop being you and I won't disagree with you!"

And this is what I find funny. It seems to me that anyone who uses their faith as an argument to be anything other than kind doesn't have enough faith in their own beliefs to not want to meddle. That they fear the influence of outside forces so much that they might interfere with their own faith. That their own faith is weak enough that it can't withstand the forces of someone who thinks/believes/exists differently.

They're not hiding behind their faith, they're hoping that their faith will keep them propped up. They're not convinced that their faith is strong enough so they shout that of course it is! It HAS to be!

I know it is possible to be a person of faith without being the kind of person who has to desire less than equal treatment of another person. I know many such people. It's not that they are any more enlightened, it's just that they're not afraid. Faith cannot be forced. Faith cannot be earned.

Faith simply is, and if that isn't enough for you than perhaps the problem isn't with other people, but with you.

And it shouldn't take an atheist to teach you that.

CHEAP SHOTS:

Such an old country. So sad. Terrible ratings. (That is the tweet I'm expecting).

So die. Who's stopping you?

Supposedly he was elected President of Common Sense.

You want to know why I believe in Global Warming? Simple. This picture below. That flooding you see there? That's the ocean, making inroads into Mill Valley this morning.

Congratulations kids! Instead of a diploma, here's the test you can take to see if McDonald's will hire you!

Lysistrata!

Calexit?

"No one can dispute that the Charleston shooting brought on Good Things. Well, maybe nine people."

Golfing? Really?

Don't try to leave the country if your taxes aren't paid.

You've probably seen it by now, but this is comedy GOLD:

Because you might need a break, here is the recipe for a Blue Horizon (I would skip the cherry myself):

3/4 oz spiced rum
3/4 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
3/4 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
1/4 oz grenadine syrup
6 oz orange juice

Pour all ingredients into a collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and serve.

For the win, President Barack Obama (Retired):

Casting more notorious than the reboot of Ghostbusters!

In Great Soviet Union TV watches you! Oh, wait...

Sewing; Reaping.

So who will crack first? Coming soon on CNN!

5th time's a charm?

Remember when Republicans hated commies and accused Liberals of working with them? Good times. Good times.

And because I love you, what I consider to be the greatest collaborative piece done by John and Yoko, musically. Enjoy!

I don't give no alternative fucks

Let's get straight into the... CHEAP SHOTS:

I agree. Finding these Bowling Green Massacre jokes to be a little too soon. Out of respect, we should wait until it takes place.

As if there weren't enough reasons to hate on Jar-Jar Binks.

Nothing to see here. Move along, move along.

Okay, even this is odd.

No, Obama had nothing to do with Operation Desert Eagle Claw II.

Trying to lay the blame on... George W?

Nyet, you cannot break us, Comrade Wyden!

#DressLikeAWoman

Hit like a girl too.

Per Sean Spicer 109=100,000+

By the way, among the people detained at airports was the former Prime Minister of Norway.

For the Super Bowl: Canta, canta una canción...

(By the way, instead of watching the game we're probably going to be playing Exploding Kittens)

Cyber Insecurity.

Thanks Obama.

As it seems appropriate, here is how to make a Moscow Mule:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 fluid ounces vodka
• 1/2 fluid ounce lime juice
• ice cubes

1/2 cup ginger beer

• 1 lime wedge for garnish

Directions

1. Pour vodka and lime juice into a mug; add ice cubes and ginger beer. Stir to combine.
2. Drop a lime wedge into the mug for garnish.

Calling a Spade a Spade.

Yes, there is a Women problem in the GOP. Here is a perfect example.

Now THIS is how you troll.

Imagine getting 5,300,000 x-rays per hour. 

They're going to FIRE every law enforcement officer on public lands. Yeah, that'll be fun. Seriously, what the FUCK is wrong with these people?

And because I love you, how about a 40 year-old song?

Saying goodbye to Facebook - sort of

So I quit Facebook yesterday. Not social media, just Facebook. It's like a weight has been lifted from me.

Here's the post (if you've already seen it on Facebook - go ahead and scroll past):

+++++++++++++++++

You know what? I’m done. Bye.

Seriously. I’ve had enough of social media. I came to the realization today that I’ve been on Facebook for 9 years and that’s time that is never coming back. No more. I’m done.

Oh, I’m not going silent, mind you. You will still see posts from me. I’m still going to link to things and speak my mind. I’m going to swear. But the interaction with others doesn’t interest me. I don’t want to play that game you keep telling me about. I can find good recipes on my own. I’d rather be surprised by a movie than know all the plot points before hand. I have books to read – I’m way behind. I will still listen to your music. I will still read your comics. But I’m going to stop pretending we know one another (with a couple of exceptions – you know who you are). Instead of talking politics, I’m going to be DOING them. If I punch a Nazi, it will be literal – not figurative.

If you’re a fan of my work, either in comics/writing or music, those pages will go on – shameless self-promotion will continue. Messenger will still work (can’t get rid of the damned thing). I’m on Tumblr, Twitter, Soundcloud, and all the rest, always as Animeraider. You can find me there, but I’m freaking DONE with Facebook. All posts you see from this point forward will just be me ranting. Answer me or don’t. I do not care. I will not be responding. This place is a creative sinkhole and a drain on my time and energy, and it’s time for me to cut the cord.

I probably won’t enjoy it at first, but this is the plan.

If you are actual family or a friend, you know how to find me. If you don’t, you know who to ask. I will always be accessible to you and you can always reach me. If you are part of the community that has welcomed me over the years, either as a cartoonist or as a musician or even as a decent human being (albeit one who cusses a lot) – you have my love and my thanks. You’ve all been great. I have just found that I cannot be creative and be here at the same time.

So that’s it.

Here is a listing of places I can be found:

Twitter - @Animeraider (I don’t use this very often)

Tumblr – Animeraider (I mostly post comics here)

Music – http://www.animeraiders.com

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/AnimeRaiders (posts here will increase in frequency)

iTunes, Amazon, and just about any streaming music service – request either Jim Christopher (1990-1997) or Chris Reed and the Anime Raiders (2001-Present)

What The Frack is Wrong With You? – http://whatthefrackiswrongwithyou.blogspot.com/

The Abraham Project – https://lessonsofabraham.wordpress.com/

Deep Space Nine II – https://startrekdeepspaceninepartii.wordpress.com/…/prolog…/

Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/animeraider

The 20th Life of Corbin Dodge – http://www.corbindodge.com

Cartooning Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/corbindodge

Music Patreon – this is actually down right now. It will come back.

Tapas/Tapastic – https://tapastic.com/series/The-20th-Life-of-Corbin-Dodge

Webtoons – http://www.webtoons.com/…/the-20th-life-of-corbin-dod…/list…

Ello (not here very much, to tell the truth) – @animeraider

Creepy KOFY Movie Time – Psychotropic Theater! http://www.psychotropictheater.com/

Jcafe24 - Animeraider

Real Life – By the Beach, for now, in San Francisco, or at Edge of the World Studios.

I have an album to finish. It’s my best work yet and I want you all to hear it. I’ll let you know when it’s done, and maybe drop a preview or two along the way.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My regular ranting will return here. In the mean time, pull up a barstool and allow me to pour you some...

Cheap Shots!

It's called "CHEATING" you dumb fucks.

Maybe we should change the name of Stockholm Syndrome to America Syndrome.

Why, it's almost as if Trump is DOING the crap you kept accusing Obama of doing!

He missed Dr. Cabinet Member Ben Carson!

Presidents kill people. It's part of the job. Sometimes it's heroic, like when Obama killed Osama bin Laden. But after one week in office Trump has killed two Americans (an 8 year-old girl and a member of Seal Team 6) and a 75 year-old Legal Immigrant (Green card and all) left stranded in Iraq. And more deaths are coming.

And then it turns out that the story about the 75 year-old might not be true. Seriously people, don't fuck this up. Every one of these erases 5,000 true stories in their minds.

There was only one rose left, and it was given to a man who believes in cutting off Planned Parenthood, and was part of the decision to allow Hobby Lobby to discriminate - even writing his own opinion because he thought the court didn't go far enough.

Oh, regarding that 8 year-old girl? If she was intentionally targeted (as Trump campaigned that he would do) the Hague can arrest him for war crimes should he set foot in Europe.

Wow. I need a break. Do you need a break? Here then.

While we're waiting for the next shot, here is the recipe for a Tom Collins (I prefer it without the cherry):

2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
1 tsp superfine sugar
3 oz club soda
1 maraschino cherry
1 slice orange

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Add the club soda. Stir and garnish with the cherry and the orange. Many people use simple syrup instead of sugar. If your bartender asks "Gin or Vodka" get a new bar to hang out in - your bartender doesn't know what he's doing.

Throw the bastard out! Oh, wait.

It's like none of these people have seen Frost Nixon.

Hey! Psst! Kid! Wanna buy a National Monument?

A reporter with standing!

A "Majority of One" walks away.

20 in 10. Yes, we all miss Jon Stewart.

Strange Fruit.

I'm almost afraid to apply for my new passport at this point.

And now, a few words from the best Vice President EVAR. Oh, and his much smarter wife:

Because in Canada it's illegal for a news organization to lie.

Why? Because he filed for re-election 5 hours after being sworn in.

It would appear that the theme music for this run of The East Wing will be John Cage's 4'33"

Innocent Misadventure.

If you've made it this far here's a reward. A comic strip you should be reading called Inside Out.

34+

You can just feel the IQ's of the average American decrease and the student debt load increase, can't you?

And because I love you, and most likely you've never even seen them, here is Redbone:

Real vs. Fake news. How I tell the difference on Social Media.

Responding to a query I received this morning about how to tell real news from fake news on the internet after posting yesterday about a lie told by Ann Coulter, here is how I do it.

I assume everything I read as "news" on Social Media that isn't a story about an actor/actress or musician is FAKE (interestingly enough, the social media tends to be pretty good about pop stars and people who act). That said, if it's something that interests me, I go to the web and independently source it. I google a question, just like you would on ask.com and look for what comes up. I look at the sources. For example:

By FOX New's own admission 85% of what it does is opinion - so I disregard those. I look for news from Canada and other countries where it's actually a crime to tell a lie and call yourself news (it's the reason there is no Fox News in Canada). News sites from other countries have a fairly large presence in the US, don't be afraid to read them. I look for sites that have won awards for journalism like Digby or Crooks and Liars. And then I do it again. I need to see the sources from at least two independent resources, which is harder than you might think given how incestuous industry is. (For example, did you know that Blue Moon Ale is actually Coors?) I look to see who owns the news source - it's why I stopped believing anything that comes from the Wall Street Journal.

There are sites I read for editorializing - for example Daily Kos, which has a decidedly Liberal bent (and to which I contribute from time to time). But I look at it with the same skepticism as I do Facebook. Always double-check. Triple check. If someone offers up a number as a FACT in places where almost everything is social media based, I try to verify the fact. Then I try to disprove it. In the case of Coulter's very obvious lie I went immediately to disprove, simply because experience has taught me that she almost always lies. The point is that there is almost never a single side to a story. That there is always a perspective in a news story. Try to find another one. Assume that when you read news on a social media site that it's being told to you because it want's to promote a specific bias. Look for the other side of that.

There is a simple reason I do this: the news media doesn't do it any more. They used to but now they don't have time - the world moves too damned fast for facts. Facts are slow and take time and care to reveal properly. It's EASIER to just say "Terrorist attach!" than it is to say "We don't yet know what's happening but we've sent people to find out so please be patient and stay here on this channel - stop looking for a Kardashian and wait please! This is important!"

Maybe we should have celebrities time their tweets to appear after the truth gets reported in a news story. "Once we have real answers we will have an unpublished tweet from Kim Kardashian showing us a new picture of her tits! Stay tuned!"

But let's go back to the top of my thesis here. I assume that anything trying to pass itself off as news on Social Media is false.That it is gossip at best and I despise gossip. If you START there it might make you more skeptical as a person, but it also might make you better informed because you seek out the truth itself.

Remember a couple of years ago that a survey was done and it found that the most informed people about news were the people who watched The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and that the worst informed were those who watched Fox? Hold yourself to a similar standard, and see what happens.