I’m stunned that Trump allows an ego bigger than his own.
Somebody should point out to this prima Donna that he’s Secretary of the Interior. Not even Secretary of State or Defense. Interior. Like, number 14 in line succession.
8th
Rick " I Don’t Know Nothin’ About The Agency I Want To Eliminate" Perry is 14th.
Sorry, I can’t be to outraged about this (not that I am lacking in outrage, mind you, about the title thread clusterfuck). When I worked for the U.S. Army (civilian), there was usually two flags flying out front of HQ, one with one-star and the other with two, representing the Commanding General and his Deputy Commander. If the flag wasn’t up, you know the General was not on post.
I can’t say that it is in the regulations for all the services, but given that Zinke came from a military background, it is not an unheard-of thing.
There are plenty of mountains to assault within the Trump-o-sphere; this amounts to a molehill.
IMHO as always. YMMV.
That’s fine and dandy for the military, SSR. But we’re talking about a civil servant. He doesn’t have gold braid, or epaulets, or decorations on his chest; people don’t salute when he comes into the room.
jsc, fair points, but all he is doing (from what I can see) is letting people know if he is in the office or not that day and he’s doing it using a system that he probably learned while in the service. It might have a hint of hubris about it, but I simply can’t see it as a big deal.
yet…
I have to wonder if he’s the only person in the Department who’s allowed to write anything in green ink. And if he only identifies himself by his initials, saving the use of his full name for situations in which he is under duress by enemy combatants who have captured him.
I agree with this, but at the same time … who is walking up to the building for a meeting with Zinke and checking the flag-staff to make sure he’s in? It’s just another chunk of ridiculous tradition that many people seem to cling to.
And today he’s all “You can’t make me do that any more! Nyah Nyah!!”
He should have flags for other special occasions:
-
For when Sec. Zinke takes a charter/military flight: A sky blue banner depicting a jet plane dropping a stream of thousand-dollar bills into a toilet.
-
For when Sec. Zinke confers with industry bigwigs: A green banner with gold lettering reading “FOR SALE”.
-
For when Sec. Zinke metes out punishment for whistle-blowing: A blood red banner depicting a figure with a large knife sticking out of its back.
I guess he’s a military guy originally, but the Department of the Interior building is in no way a ‘garrison’.
Also, apparently if he is not in the building, but his #2 is, there is a special flag to indicate that also.
I just changed my mind about the Trump administration. Because Steven Mnuchin just took the time to e-mail me personally! Apparently loser international governments have been keeping my money and keeping America from being great again!
But Stevie has been strong and fought for me!
So I’m going to receive $19’500,000.00 - yes Nineteen Million Five Hindred Thousand Dollars! As soon as I send my personal info to Stevie. Make America Great Again!!
US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
1500 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20220
I am Steven Mnuchin the Secretary of the US Department of the
Treasury. The executive agency responsible for promoting economic
prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United
States.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT RESOLUTION PANEL ON WITHHELD
PAYMENTS
You are being contacted today because you have not received your
funds and we want to advise you on the status of your funds
payment case. It was a decision that favored you in getting your
funds back from international banks withholding your funds.
Although you are hearing from us for the first time, we have been
working very hard for beneficiaries and making progress on our
research on why international banks had failed to fully credit
funds to international beneficiaries account.
We have also taken time to review unsuccessful transactions with
most international inheritance / contract insurance companies and
other foreign banks especially in Africa, Asia and the United
Kingdom. We wish to let you know that we have communicated with
most of these foreign bank institutions withholding most
international payments to individuals and companies only to find
out why these funds were withheld, the source of the funds and
the final solution to this problem.
We have concluded that we have found that most of the funds are
from international funds, and that international funds have been
awarded to international funds.
As such, transfer suspension was placed on these funds because
most of these international funds remittance / transfer were not
properly recorded by the paying institution for future file
reference / assessment by the International Monetary Fund and the
Financial Services Authority.
Presently, your ongoing transaction in which you will gain full
assistance from your case and make sure that you receive your
accrued funds on compliance will be on full effect in your favor
as long as you have complied with the Order of Court Dialogue in
which we are presently trying to get your funds payment case.
In joint alliance with the Financial Services Authority to
resolve this issue, we wish to know that we have been approved to
assist you in receiving your awarded funds but only the total sum
of Nineteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
($ 19,500,000.00 USD ). We have gone through the security
manifesto booklet of all international outstanding transactions
and our extensive investigation confirmed that you are the
beneficiary of this fund through the assistance of the
International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) to investigate
and release suspended withheld funds to its beneficiaries account
abroad (IMF) which stated that your funds will be paid to you on
the proper confirmation of your claim.
We would like to inform you that there is an existing arrangement
with United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) in New York to
process and pay you the outstanding debt of $ 19,500,000.00 USD
as soon as you provide the complete requirements fund payment
case. This was resolved in a meeting held between the
International Financial Auditors in Europe and our American
representatives.
Contact:
Name: John Spatola
UNFCU Financial Advisors, LLC.
United Nations Federal Credit Union.
Contact him with below details.
- A scanned copy of your ID or driver’s license:
- Your direct mobile telephone number
Your nominated Bank Account information will be requested for
transfer of your funds after confirmation of your funds claims
file by the processing officer.
By virtue of the provision of the law which confer on us powers
to advocate, adjudicate, suspend and authorize an immediate
transfer of funds internationally, we hereby state emphatically
and without prejudice that there should be any information that
may succeed your application for unclaimed funds release that are
currently deposited in most foreign banks in Europe, Asia and in
Africa, please do not hesitate to provide the information so we
can help you in getting your funds.
Also note that failure to properly apply for the funds will
nullify your chances of receiving your unclaimed funds and funds
will be diverted into the government treasury.
Regards,
Steven Mnuchin
Secretary, US Department of the Treasury.
He’s not housebroken?
That’s something Trump would say.
He’s just being consistent in his position that job creators must be allowed to dispose of waste wherever it suits them, even in a public space. 
Yes, it’s a silly tradition. So are White House state dinners and the like. But traditions are okay. A lack of respect for tradition is what got us fucking Donald Trump. And this tradition doesn’t cost us anything.
Let Zinke have his stupid flag (though by Og if I see any more references to him being “in garrison” when he’s in his fucking office I will be calling for his head too). If nothing else, it keeps one of the department’s staffers too busy to sell off more public land.
You need things to mock and laugh at to relieve what would otherwise be endless outrage and horror.
Yes, there are more important things - but this is in no way a ‘tradition’ at Interior. And even if some previous secretary had done this (cite?), I’d bet a dinner at McDonald’s (bacon McDouble for $2, fries and a drink) that no #2 has ever had or flown a personal flag.
Personally, I’d consider George W. Bush as less reprehensible, though thoroughly incompetent. Even there, W. is still far more competent than what we are currently suffering through.