THE RULE OF LAW, THE CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AFRICA, AND BIRD FLU IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THAT'S NEXT - ON IVORY TOWER.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR IVORY TOWER.

I'M BARBARA FOUGHT, FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY.

OUR PANELISTS FOR THE SHOW ARE-- LISA DOLAK, FROM SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY TARA ROSS, FROM ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE MICHAEL TILLOTSON, FROM SUNY-CORTLAND, AND AARON STRONG, FROM HAMILTON COLLEGE.

MY NEWS ALERTS THIS WEEK SEEMED TO GO OFF EVERY FEW MINUTES ANNOUNCING ANOTHER ACTION BY THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LAWYERS FIRED OR REASSIGNED• INSPECTORS GENERAL, TOO, LOSE THEIR JOBS.

A NEW INVESTIGATION IS LAUNCHED INTO THE PROSECUTION OF THE JANUARY 6 DEFENDANTS.

FEDERAL MONEY PAYOUTS WERE PAUSED, CAUSING HAVOC ON TUESDAY.

LAWYERS FILED SUITS AGAINST THIS.

THEN THE NEXT DAY - THE ORDER IS RESCINDED.

LIS WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE BALANCE OF POWERS?

>> WELL, I GET ASKED ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW A LOT, PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE COURTS AND WHETHER THEY'RE MOVING FAST ENOUGH AND DOING ENOUGH IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT I SAY TO PEOPLE IS, YOU KNOW, THE RULE OF LAW IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE COURTS.

THE FRAMERS DESIGNED A SYSTEM WHERE ALL THREE BRANCHES WOULD DO THEIR PART TO UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW.

AND WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS A PRESIDENT WHO IS WILLING TO SMASH THROUGH NORMS LIKE WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND A CONGRESS THAT, AT WORST IS HAPPY TO ACCEDE OR AT BEST I AM TO TENT AND THIS IS INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE COURTS, WHICH I BELIEVE CONTINUES TO DO AN ADMIRAL JOB OF ENFORCING AND DEFENDING THE RULE OF LAW.

AND BY THE WAY, THE FACT THAT WE, I, VEHEMENTLY DISAGREE WITH ANY PARTICULAR JUDICIAL RULING, EVEN THE FACT THAT A JUDICIAL RULING IS WRONG, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE SYSTEM IS FAILING OR THAT THE COURTS ARE FAILING.

THE POINT IS, THE SYSTEM WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR TYRANNY ON THE PART OF THE PRESIDENT AND ABDICATION ON THE PART OF THE CONGRESS.

SO I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DEFEND THE COURTS AND NOTE THAT THEY ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO A VERY SIGNIFICANT EXTENT BECAUSE OF THE ABDICATION OR WORSE, OF THE OTHER BRANCHES.

>> TARA, WHAT ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT?

THAT TEAMS TO HAVE BEEN A TRADITION THAT IS REALLY BEING OVERTURNED.

>> YOU HAVE DESCRIBED IT ABSOLUTELY ACCURATELY.

THROUGH REASSIGNMENT, THROUGH FIRING THROUGH ENCOURAGING TO RESIGN, BASICALLY THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND MANY OF HIS-- I HAVE TO SAY CAREFUL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SAY REPUBLICANS BECAUSE NOT ALL REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THEY DO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT IS DOING BUT CERTAINLY IN TERMS OF THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORTERS, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS HE IS EITHER APPOINTING OR, BY ENCOURAGING OR FIRING, PEOPLE WHO WILL SIMPLY AGREE OR DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO INSTEAD OF UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW AND RECOGNIZING THAT, YES THERE ARE THREE BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; THAT CONGRESS HAS A ROLE, THAT YES, SOMETIMES IN YOUR ROLE AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, YOU MAY HAVE TO INVESTIGATE, INCLUDING THE MAN WHO SORT OF OFFICIALLY IS YOUR BOSS.

AND IN DOING THAT, HE IS UNDERMINING WHAT USED TO BE, FOR THE MOST PART, INDEPENDENCE IN TERMS OF INFLUENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

AND THAT REALLY IS A VIOLATION OF THE RULE OF LAW AND WHAT WAS INTENDED BY THE FOUNDERS.

>> YOU KNOW, NONE OF THIS IS A SURPRISE.

HE CAMPAIGNED ON BURNING IT ALL DOWN, GUTTING THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS LAST WEEK HAS LOOKED LIKE FOR US.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BACKSTOPS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL WONDERING IF COURTS ARE THE BACKSTOP BUT THERE IS ANOTHER BACKSTOP HERE.

THE FUNDING FREEZE THAT CAME IN MONDAY NIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, ALL FEDERAL GRANTS NEED TO STOP.

I GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I RECEIVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I DO RESEARCH UNDER A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

STOP ALL ACTIVITY, RIGHT?

YES, THE COURTS ISSUED A STAY.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RESCINDED THAT ORDER.

THEY RESCINDED IT BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING CALLS FROM REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS SAYING GRANTS TO OUR POLICE FORCES ARE GOING TO GET SHUT DOWN.

WHAT IS GOING ON.

THEY GOT A LOT OF PUSH BACK THAT WAS NOT FULLY BIPARTISAN BUT WAS BIPARTISAN AND IT WAS A BAD LOOK.

PEOPLE REALIZED MANY THINGS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR DAILY LIVES.

YOU CAN'T IMMEDIATELY BURN IT ALL DOWN WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES.

THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF PUSH BACK AND BACKSTOP THAT COMES FROM PUBLIC OPINIONS BUT ALSO FROM REPUBLICANS TALKING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SAYING LOOK, WE FEED SOME OF THAT STUFF.

LET'S SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHEN THE FLOOD THE ZONE STRATEGY CONTINUES.

>> ARE YOU AS SUPPORTIVE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A VOICE HERE TO CHANGE SNINGS.

>> I THINK WE ARE BEING TOO GENEROUS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW, RIGHT?

WE MIGHT BE TOO GENEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS A BODY OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW LIVING A LIFE WHERE THE RULES ARE THERE ARE NO RULES.

THOSE ARE THE RULES.

THE RULES ARE THERE ARE NO RULES AND THOSE ARE THE RULES.

LET'S NOT UNDERAPPRECIATE McDONNELL CONNELL AND HOW HE STACKED THE COURTS.

IT WOULD BE KAFKAESQUE IF IT WAS NOT SO DANGEROUS AND REAL BUT HAVE I FAITH IN THE TIGHT MARGINS IN CONGRESS TO SOME DEGREE.

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH.

I THINK THOSE WILL BE THE MARGINS THAT MAY SAVE OF OUR INSTITUTIONS FROM BECOMING COMPLETELY DESTABILIZED.

THAT'S MY HOPE.

>> SOME OF THE TRUMP SUPPORTERS HERE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, THIS IS WHAT THEY WANTED.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION.

AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT TODAY TRUMP IS PROBABLY MORE POPULAR WITH MORE PEOPLE, INCLUDING SOME PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM THAN HE WAS TWO WEEKS AGO.

BECAUSE WHAT THEY SEE IS THEY PERCEIVE ANYWAY, AND MAYBE THEY'RE RIGHT IN SOME EXTENT THAT AT LEAST FINALLY SOMETHING IS HAPPENING.

SOMETHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT UNCONTROLLED IMMIGRATION.

SOMETHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY SEE AS DEI PREFERENCES THAT ARE UNFAIR.

AND SOMETHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THE BLOATED FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY, WHICH IS INARGUABLE THAT ALREADY MORE PEOPLE WORKING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAN THERE NEEDS TO BE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE HAPPENING IN A VERY HAM HANDED WAY BUT I GOT TO BELIEVE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PUBLICLY OR SECRETLY CHEERING BECAUSE THEY SEE ACTION, SOME THING FINALLY HAPPENING.

>> EVEN IF IT'S WRONG.

>> WRONG TO SOME, RIGHT TO SOME.

>> AND JUST QUICKLY ON THIS.

, YES, HE'S TEARING DOWN THINGS AND HITTING POINTS ON DEI AND IMMIGRATION.

MANY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING AND SCARED FROM THAT ARE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER.

IS HE IMPROVING THE ECONOMY.

IS THE COST OF LIVING GOING DOWN?

HE SAID HE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT PRICES ON DAY ONE.

THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

THERE IS A BIT OF A SENSE THAT SOMEBODY IS DOING SOMETHING BUT WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> YOU ARE GIVING US, IF THE DEMOCRATS ARE PAYING ATTENTION, WHAT WILL BE THE THEME OF THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, BASICALLY TAKE, ASKING THE SAME QUESTION, ARE YOU BETTER OFF NOW THAN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS AGO AND YOU ARE QUITE CORRECT.

FOUR YEARS FROM THAW THAT IS GOING TO BE THE QUESTION.

ARE YOU BETTER OFF.

ONE THING I WANTED TO POINT OUT AND YOU TOUCHED UPON IT BARBARA.

IN A SENSE, THIS IS ALSO BEGUN-- AND I DO SAY BEGUN BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE ARE, I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY IS WOKE YET, A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WOKISM.

2: ALL OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE INFLUENCED BY THE FEDERAL BUDGET, HOW MANY PEOPLE REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT HEAD START BEING INFLUENCED BY THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

HOW MANY PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE POLICE.

THERE ARE MANY, MANY PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE DON'T THINK ARE PART OR INFLUENCED BY THE FEDERAL BUDGET THAT THEY'RE NOW AWARE OF.

>> IT TOUCHES A LOT OF THINGS IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

LET ME MOVE US ON TO OUR NEXT TOPIC.

CONGOLESE-AMERICANS IN UTICA AND SYRACUSE ARE CLOSELY WATCHING THE ESCALATION OF A LONG-TERM CONFLICT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, OR DRC.

THE U.N. IS CALLING THIS, USING ITS WORDS: "ONE OF THE MOST PROTRACTED COMPLEX SERIOUS HUMANITARIAN CRISES ON EARTH."

(SHOW MAP).

HERE'S A MAP.

I'M NOT SURE WE ARE HEARING ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

THE DRC IS THE LARGE YELLOW-SHADED COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE.

IF YOU LOOK OVER TO THE EAST TO THE RIGHT, THERE IS A TINY BROWN COLORED COUNTRY RWANDA AND RWANDA IS BACKING THE M-23 REBELS WHO'VE CAPTURED GOMA ON THE DRC'S EASTERN BORDER.

ONE MILLION CONGOLESE HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE VIOLENCE.

MICHAEL, WHAT'S THE BACKGROUND HERE?

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BACKGROUND, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK ABOUT THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT'S LITTLE BABIES WITH DISTENDED ABDOMEN AND FLIES IN THEIR EYES.

THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE FOR AFRICA.

IT WAS A LAND OF BOUNTY AND PEACE.

IN 1845, THE BERLIN CONFERENCE CAME IN AND SEPARATED.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT AFRICA.

IT WAS A PLACE THAT EVERYBODY WANTED BUT NOBODY WANTED TO PAY FOR.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE RELATIVE PEACE COMING OUT OF WORLD WAR II AND PAN AFRICAN SOCIAL ITCH OVERTAKEN BY THE GEOPOLITICAL SOCIETY THAT WOULD MURDER AND RAPE AND LOOT AND ROB AND PILLAGE AND PLUNDER AND STEAL AND CONTROL AND EXPLOIT LED TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS CLASS OF AFRICAN GOVERNANCE WHICH FOLLOWED THE MODEL.

WHAT WE HAVE IS WRAND'S VIOLATION OF SOVEREIGNTY AND THE MINERALS.

BUT IT'S A QUESTION THAT CHINA HAS MADE MORE PROBLEMATIC BY SUPPLYING DRONES AND SUPPLYING ARMS.

AND SO THERE IS A BRILLIANT ARTICLE WRITTEN MANY YEARS CALLED COLONIALISM IS BACK AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON WHO PREDICTED THE NEW COLONIAL INTEREST AND CHINA IS THE NEW COLONIAL INTEREST AND WE SEE THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE FROM THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT CHINA IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> A LOT OF EXPORTS FROM THERE ARE GOING TO CHINA.

>> STRAIGHT THERE.

SO WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS IDEA GLOBALLY BUT THERE IS ALWAYS-- THEY'RE JUST AFRICANS.

LET THEM KILL THEMSELVES.

WHO CARES.

>> AARON, WHAT ABOUT THE MINERALS THERE.

>> YEAH, SO PULL OUT YOUR PHONE.

THERE IS A LOT OF, WE CALL THEM RARE EARTH MINERALS IN HERE.

TUNGSTEN AND TANTALUM COBALT IN THE BATTERIES, THOSE ARE USED IN THE SEMICONDUCTORS AND CAPACITORS AND ELECTRONICS AND ONE OF THE HOTSPOTS OF TUNGSTEN MINING IS THE EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

SO ONE OF THE REASONS THAT RWANDA IS BACKING TROOPS TO COME IN AND TAKE OVER GOMA, IF THEY CONTROL GOMA, IT'S A BIG CITY.

OVER A MILLION PEOPLE AND IT'S GETTING MINERALS COMING FROM MINING TOWNS.

AND IF THEY CAN CONTROL THAT SUPPLY, THEY GET A LOT OF MONEY BY SELLING THAT AND SUPPLYING THAT TO THE MAKERS OF THESE ELECTRONICS.

NOW APPLE WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN TO COURT BY THE DRC.

TIM COOK GOT A LETTER FROM THE DRC SAYING HEY, YOU ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO STEM THIS ILLEGAL TRADE.

APPLE HAS SAID WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR TANTALEM FROM BRAZIL AND NOT THE CONGO.

BUT ILLEGAL MINING IS CONTINUING BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY TO BE MADE.

>> I READ BETWEEN 300,000 AND 800,000 A MONTH OF MINERALS ARE STOLEN OUT OF THE DRC GOING THROUGH RWANDA.

>> HUGE AMOUNTS, THE TUTCY GOVERNMENT IS BACKING THE M-23 TREBLESES WHO ARE TUTSI AND THEY SAY THEY NEED TO CONTROL THEIR INTERESTS BUT THIS IS LINKED TO WHAT WE ARE USING EVERYDAY AND I THINK MOST AMERICANS ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT IT.

WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR PHONE, YOUR FIRST THOUGHT IS NOT, IS THE MINERAL IN HERE SUPPLIED FROM A WAR TORN CONFLICT AREA AND EXACERBATING THE CONTINUED CONFLICT, DISPLACEMENT OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

EVERYTHING MICHAEL SAID IS RIGHT.

THERE IS THE LEGACY OF EXTRACTIVE ITCH AND THE LEGACY OF THE U.S. ROLE IN THAT AFTER COLONIALISM, RIGHT?

THE REASON MOBUTU CAME INTO POWER IS THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WHAT A BIG ROLE IN PUTTING DOWN THE SOCIALIST LEADERSHIP IN THE LUMU MBA A.

AT THE END OF THE COLONIAL ERA IN THE 1960S, RIGHT NOW IT'S CONDITION CHINA AND IT'S NOT MAKING THINGS ANY BETTER.

>> THIS IS A LONG RUNNING CONFLICT.

>> AND IT IS.

AS AARON CORRECTLY POINTED OUT, PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS YOU KNOW, U.S.

ATTITUDE, IT'S YOU ARE QUITE CORRECT, IT'S JUST AFRICA.

AND WE HAVE SORT OF THIS, ALMOST SCHIZOPHRENIC WAY OF FIRST WE PAY ATTENTION TO AFRICA, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE IS A GREAT GENOCIDE, REMEMBER THE GENOCIDE IN THE 1990S, OKAY.

THIS IS HORRIBLE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND THEN ONCE THERE IS SOME SORT OF TRUCE, THEN AMERICA KIND OF BACKS OFF AND SAYS OKAY, AFRICA, GO DEAL WITH YOURSELF AND WE FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS THAT WE CONSIDER MORE IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN AND THIS IS ACROSS ADMINISTRATIONS.

THERE HAS BEEN RELIANCE ON ELECTRONICS.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE AFRICAN COUNTRY AND OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD BE MORE IMPORTANT.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE CERTAINLY ECONOMIC INFLUENCE, MORE INFLUENCE BY THE U.N. AND THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED.

>> LISA.

>> I'M GLAD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I LEARNED A LOT FROM THIS DISCUSSION AND FROM PREPARING FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

AND IT MADE ME REALIZE HOW, YOU FLOW, IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO SORT OF ROUTINE NEWS MEDIA, YOU ARE NOT LEARNING A LOT ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN CERTAIN CORNERS OF THE WORD.

THE OTHER THING IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN BE DONE?

WHAT CAN COUNTRIES DO?

THE U.K., YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF IT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE WRANDAN GOVERNMENT AND THE U.K. IS START DOING THAT.

I DOUBT THIS ADMINISTRATION,-- SOMETHING TELLS ME THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH ITS FOCUS ON BUSINESS INTERESTS OVERHUMANITARIANISM AND FOREIGN AID, PERHAPS OUTRIGHT RACISM IS NOT LIKELY PARTICIPATE SIGNIFICANTLY IN THAT EFFORT.

>> AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WILL CERTAINLY HAVE THIS ON HER PLATE SHOULD SHE BE CONFIRMED IS OUR NORTH COUNTRY CONGRESSWOMAN ELISE STEFANIK WHO IS UP FOR U.N.

AMBASSADOR.

BIRD FLU HAS ARRIVED IN THE FINGER LAKES.

CORNELL SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED BIRD FLU IN SNOW GEESE FOUND DEAD IN SENECA COUNTY.

ONE LONG ISLAND FARM HAD TO EUTHANIZE MORE THAN 100,000 DUCKS.

THE DISEASE ALSO HITS DAIRY CATTLE.

WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN OUR AREA.

WHILE DOCTORS HAVE CONFIRMED 67 HUMAN CASES NATIONWIDE, THE CDC SAID THIS WEEK THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSMISSION.

BUT EARN, IS THIS OUTBREAK GETTING ENOUGH ATTENTION.

>> NO, WE NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT IT.

THE PRICE OF EGG.

IF HAVE HEARD ABOUT BIRD FLU, YOU MIGHT HEAR ABOUT THE PRICE OF EGG.

HERE IS WHY IT'S CRITICAL.

IF YOU WERE A CHICKEN, THIS WOULD BE YOUR SUPER COVID MOMENT.

20 MILLION CHICKENS DIED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 2024, EGG LAYING CHICKENS IN THE UNITED STATES FROM BIRD FLU, NOT CULLED, NOT EUTHANIZED.

THEY DIED FROM THE SPREAD OF THIS DEVASTATING DISEASE IN BIRDS, RIGHT?

BUT THE CONCERN OF COURSE, IS IT GOING TO SPREAD IN HUMANS?

IT'S IN DAIRY COWS.

THEY'RE GETTING REINFECTED.

IT'S JUMPED INTO HUMANS.

IT'S ONE MUTATION AWAY FROM BEING ABLE TO SPREAD BETWEEN HUMANS.

IT'S ONE MUTATION AWAY FROM BEING MORE VIRULENT, RIGHT?

SO IT'S NOT A DANGER RIGHT NOW TO US, BUT IT'S REALLY CLOSE, I THINK IS THE MESSAGE.

AND SO WE ARE GOING TO WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE TOUCHING DEAD BIRDS.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE INTERACTING WITH INFECTED ANIMALS AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE CONSUMING RAW MILK.

THE FOOD SUPPLY IS SAFE, EGGS ARE SAFE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PRICE OF EGGS.

THE SUPPLY HAS GONE WAY DOWN BECAUSE THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC IN THE BIRD WORLD RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO WATCH THAT CLOSELY.

WE'LL SEE WHAT TRUMP'S CDC AND OTHER HEALTH AGENCIES, CONFIRMATION HEARINGSES ARE RIGHT NOW.

WHAT THEY'RE PREPARED TO DO ABOUT IT.

SO FAR TRUMP HAS SAID CULLING THE CHICKENS IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE EGG PRICES TO GO UP.

THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT POINT TO BE MAKING.

>> I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT BOTH SORT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S, YOU KNOW, MONITORING, RESPONSE, PREPARATION, RIGHT.

THE PARTICULARLY POST-COVID RIGHT BECAUSE THERE IS THIS SENTIMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WENT TOO FAR AND IN SOME RESPECTS, IT DID.

I STILL MAINTAIN THAT CHILDREN WERE KEPT OUT OF SCHOOL FOR FAR TOO LONG TO THEIR EVERLASTING DETRIMENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT BESIDE THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE AND PREPARATION EFFORTS AND FOCUS ON ACTUAL SCIENCE, WHICH I THINK IS CONCERNING, I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE.

SHOULD THIS JUMP BE MADE, RIGHT?

THE PUBLIC IS IN NO MOOD, MANY PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC ARE IN NO MOOD TO, AGAIN, SORT OF BE SUBJECT TO OR TO BE COMPLIANT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES AND SO I'M QUITE CONCERNED AND READING A LOT OF STORIES ABOUT IT AND I APPRECIATE AARON'S DISCUSSION OF EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE.

>> TARA, NEW YORK HAS BEEN DOING SOME EDUCATION AND MUCH MORE TESTING OF MILK.

BUT IS THE STATE DOING ENOUGH, DO YOU THINK?

RIGHT NOW IT IS DOING ENOUGH FOR EXACTLY THE REASONS THAT LISTA SUGGESTED ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL BECAUSE THE PUBLIC MOOD REALLY DOESN'T SEE THIS AS URGENT.

THEY DON'T SEE THIS AS A MAJOR CRISIS FOR EVERYONE OTHER THAN IN TERMS OF EGG PRICES.

AND SO FOR NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO BE DOING THE TESTING THAT THEY'RE DOING, SEEMS REASONABLE, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM EGREGIOUS AND THAT'S WHERE THE MIND SET IS.

>> OKAY.

MICHAEL, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?

>> I WANT TO SAY QUICKLY IT MAKES US APPRECIATE THE MOMENT OF THE CONFIRMATION OF RFK AT THIS MOMENT.

AND I WATCHED A TINY BIT OF THE HISTORYIONICS THAT GO ON.

THEY'RE TRYING TO QUESTION HIS MORAL TURPITUDE.

I WOULD ASK FIVE QUESTIONS.

DO YOU HAVE AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

>> NO Ph.D.

IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

POST-DOC IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

NO.

WHY SHOULD ANY RATIONAL AMERICAN TO BE HEAD OF ANY AMERICAN AGENCY TO BE HEAD OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH F. THIS PERSON IS IN CHARGE AND WE JUST PULLED OUT OF THE WHO, I'M NOT SURE WHERE THIS IS GOING TO END UP.

THIS IS A PROBLEMATIC MOMENT.

AND TO DRAW SERIOUS FOCUS TO HIS CONFIRMATION.

>> BUT WILL BIRD FLU BE AN ISSUE IN WHAT THE SENATE VOTES?

>> WAIT AND SEE, I SUPPOSE.

>> I MEAN THERE SEEMS LIKE SOME OTHER ISSUES WITH HIS NOMINATION.

YOU SAID LAST WEEK TARA, THAT THE GOVERNMENT, THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT HAS PULLED OUT OF THE WHO, AND THAT IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT INTERNATIONALLY WOULD BE MONITORING THIS BIRD FLU.

SO THAT'S AN ISSUE, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY IT IS.

IT'S AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT PUTS THE ONUS ON THOSE WHO AND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE FUNDING.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, OFFICIALLY THEY STILL HAVE FUNDING BUT MAYBE THEY WON'T HAVE FUNDING.

THEY'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT.

BUT SO IT PUTS THE ONUS ON THEM TO VOLUNTARILY SHARE INFORMATION IF THEY'RE ALLOWED TO BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THEY WILL EVEN BE ALLOWED TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE WHO SINCE WE ARE NOT A PART OF IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY BRINGS HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC EFFORTS TO CONTROL PANDEMICS OR SEE POTENTIAL PANDEMICS.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY ONE OF THE COMPLICATING FACTORS HERE IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OUTBREAKS OF BIRD FLU IN THE PAST THAT WENT NOWHERE, PEOPLE THINK WE'VE LIVED THROUGH THIS BEFORE BUT THIS IS A DIFFERENT STRAIN.

>> PART OF WHY IT HAS GONNA NOWHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT GOT AHEAD OF IT.

AND IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO ALL THIS AT HOME AND SAYING I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT DOING TOO MUCH, SPENDING TOO MUCH, THE BLOAT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE LAST THREE YEARS, 2022-2024, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS GIVEN FARMERS $1.25 BILLION TO COVER THEIR LOSSES FROM BIRD FLU AND FROM THE CULLING OF BIRDS TO SPREAD THE DISEASE.

IN OTHER WORDS, FARMERS GET COMPENSATED WHEN THEY LOSE ALL OF THAT AND THEY GET COMPENSATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S THE CURRENT LAW.

SO IT'S COSTLY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE THIS PANDEMIC SPREAD, YOU KNOW, THROUGH... >> AND THAT MEANS COSTLY TO US.

>> AND FARMERS SUFFICIENTLY INCENTIVIZE TO DO ENOUGH AND TAKE STEPS.

>> TIME TO OPEN UP THE GRADEBOOK.

I NEED YOUR F. >> A LOT TO CHOOSE FROM.

MY F GOES TO DEFENSE SECRETARY DIRECTIVE TO STRIP RETIRED JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SECURITY CLEARANCE, TAKE AWAY HIS SECURITY DETAIL AND INVESTIGATE WHETHER TO DEMOTE HIM FROM THE RANK AT WHICH HE RETIRED FROM SERVICE.

TRUMP CLEARLY INTENDS A PARTICULAR VENDETTA AGAINST MILLIE FOR PUSHING BACK AGAINST TRUMP WHILE HE SERVED IN HIS ADMINISTRATION AND CRITICIZING TRUMP AFTER TRUMP LEFT OFFICE AND IT'S DISGUSTING TREATMENT FOR A TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

>> TARA.

>> MY F GOES TO THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND FORMER GOVERNOR DOUG DOOSEY FOR IGNORING YEARS OF COMPLAINTS OF MISSING AND DEAD NATIVE AMERICANS IN ARIZONA.

VOLUNTEERING FOR OR KIDNAPPED FROM STAFF FROM SO CALLED SOBER LIVING HOMES, APPROXIMATELY THE,000 NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE DISAPPEARED OR DIED BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023.

THE FORMER GOVERNOR DID LITTLE TO ADDRESS THOSE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY A MEDICAID FUNDED PROGRAM AND THOSE HOMES WERE ACTUALLY BEING PAID BY THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

>> MICHAEL, WHAT IS YOUR F. >> MY F GOES TO THE CONGRESSMAN IN GEORGIA WHO SAID KIDS WHO GET FREE LUNCHES ARE SPONGING OFF THE GOVERNMENT.

THIS GUY USED TO BE A PHYSICIAN.

HE QUIT THAT JOB AND IS WORKING IN GOVERNMENT.

HE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT SPONGING OFF THE GOVERNMENT.

>> AARON.

>> MY F GOES TO THE REFS AND BILLS CHIEF GAME.

JUST KIDDING.

MY F GOES TO TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY, NEWLY CONFIRMED, ONE OF HIS FIRST MOVES WAS TO ISSUE RULES TO REMOVE AND RESCIND TAIL PIPE EMISSION STANDARDS.

STANDARDS SUPPORTED BY THE AUTO INDUSTRY.

DOING SO WILL INCREASE HARMFUL CLIMATE POLLUTION.

WAY TO START BY PUTTING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND.

>> LISA AN A.

>> TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY'S GENEROUS RESPONSE TO KALE FOR HELP FOR THE MANY PEOPLE LEFT WITHOUT HOMES BY THE APARTMENT COMPLEX FIRE IN BALDWINSVILLE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

HELP CAME QUICKLY AS PEOPLE DONATED WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS MOUNTAINS OF NEW AND USED CLOTHING, SHOES AND BLANKETS, PLUS FOOD, TOILETRIES, DIAPERS, TOYS, GIFT CARDS AND CASH.

>> TARA.

>> MY A GOES TO SENATOR GILLIBRAND FOR HER SPONSORSHIP OF THE CHILD CARE WORKFORCE AND FACILITIES ACT.

THE ACT WILL PROVIDE $100 MILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS TO BUILD OR EXPAND CHILD CARE FACILITIES AND TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN EARS WHERE THERE TEND TO BE FEWER CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

>> MICHAEL.

>> MY A GOES TO Dr. GINA GRANTHAM, SUNY CORTLAND WHO PASSED AWAY A SHORT TIME AGO.

I WANT TO THANK HER FOR DECADE OF INTELLECTUAL SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY.

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.

>> AARON.

>> SO MY A GOES TO MACAULEY MOUNTAIN IN OLD FORGE IN THE TOWN OF WEBB UP IN THE ADIRONDACKS.

A GREAT LITTLE SKI AREA WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE SKI AREA, IT HAS BEEN REALLY HARD FOR THE SMALL MOUNTAINS TO STAY OPEN.

THEY GOT OUT AHEAD OF THINGS AND PREEMPTIVELY REPLACED THEIR AGING 60-YEAR-OLD LIFT WITH A TRIPLE LIFT THAT STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS HELPED MAKE HAPPEN AND I HAVE SEASON PASSES UP THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

IT'S AWESOME.

IT'S OPEN.

THIS MUNICIPALBLY OWNED MOUNTAIN IS JUST A JOY TO SKI AT.

WAY TO GO MACAULEY AND NEW YORK STATE.

WE HAVE THE MOST SKI MOUNTAINS IN THE COUNTRY OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> IS THAT RIGHT?

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

I ENJOYED SOME SNOW SHOEING THE OTHER DAY.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT WINTER FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIKE WINTER.

WHAT ARE THE SOBER LIVING HOMES?

>> THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PLACED WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAD ALCOHOL ADDICTION AND, I BELIEVE THEY ALSO DID DRUG ADDICTION, COULD GO AND BASICALLY, SIMILAR TO THE HALFWAY HOUSE.

THEY WOULD GO, LIVE THERE, THEY WOULD WORK WITH THEM ON THEIR DRUG ADDICTION, HELP THEM, THE IDEA WAS SUPPOSED TO GET OFF DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL.

THAT WAS WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING.

BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHAT ACTUALLY WAS HAPPENING, IN SOME CASES, THEY NOT ONLY WERE NOT ONLY HELPED TO GET OFF THEIR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION, THEY WERE ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED TO DO MORE AND BECOME MORE DRUG ADDICTED OR ALCOHOL ADDICTED.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS SHOW--- OR YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR TOPICS.

FEEL FREE TO WRITE US AT ANY OF THE ADDRESSES ON THE SCREEN.

REMEMBER YOU CAN WATCH US ON TV FRIDAY NIGHTS AT 8 AND SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT 5:30.

OR STREAM US ON WCNY'S YOU TUBE PAGE OR ITS WEBSITE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

STAY WARM• AND GOOD NIGHT.