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Waste, Fraud, and 895 [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-04-07

I am a native and loyal Washingtonian who has lived in 13 cities and three countries in my career. Throughout it all, I have maintained my loyalties to my hometown teams from baseball to tiddlywinks, and I carry my allegiances like a badge if not a wound of honor. From race-tinged names to a series of last-place finishes, I have been a fan of every team since 1966. This Sunday, at 7:26 into the second period of their game against the New York Islanders, Russian-born hockey player Alex Ovechkin scored the 895th goal of his career for the Washington Capitals, surpassing Wayne Gretzky as the greatest goal scorer in National Hockey League history—not the greatest player, but the greatest goal scorer.

Waste

Most fans, like me, have lived through the team's near demise in the 1980s and during the Rod Langway years, as well as a long love affair and Stanley Cup Championship in the late 2000s—I have followed the team. As a black hockey fan, I have sometimes felt lonely in my circle of friends. At Friday’s game that tied the record in Washington, DC, I spotted FBI Director Kash Patel sitting in the owner’s box alongside Wayne Gretzky. I tried not to be reflexively critical; after all, the FBI building is down the street from the Arena. Aside from the cars, drivers, and security team that accompanied him, it is a part of the package America pays to protect its essential officials. The waste came when Patel played groupie again yesterday. Once again, he was sitting in the box with Gretzky, his wife, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York.

Fraud

I have no estimates on the cost of sending a security team with Patel to a public venue, but I am sure it was not the local Long Island Pinkerton(s). My moment of watching Ovechkin’s family, including his Mom, sons, and wife, who broke out in spontaneous celebration, was spoiled when Mr. Patel’s face photobombed the moment. With thousands of protesters around the country sandwiched between Friday and Sunday, one would think Patel would be immersed in post-protest reports. The incompetence of the Trump administration was on display in recent weeks with Signalgate, so why should this be any different?

…and Abuse

The abusive members of this administration have said more than once over the past few days that with 401(k)s tanking, people losing their jobs, and poor people wondering if they will have healthcare in the future, they don’t care. “I couldn’t care less if they raise prices because people are going to start buying American cars,” said Trump. When asked about the confusion and unwarranted deportations that courts rescinded, “We are going to make this country safe again ... I'm proud to be a part of this administration. We are not stopping. I don't care what the judges think. I don't care what the Left thinks.” said Tom Homan, Trump's border czar. “We're coming.” President Trump made sure to be both uncaring and abusive by choosing to go golfing instead of attending the dignified transfer of the remains of four members of the military.

Get used to it. Hundreds of thousands died during COVID-19 because Mr. Trump cared more about his reputation than the American public. What would make you think he cares now?

Your Vote is Still Your Voice

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/4/7/2315055/-Waste-Fraud-and-895?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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