Thanks everyone for listening to the rant--I was swearing in my head loudly so if you heard that too (it's possible) sorry about that. 
I'm a little calmer today than I was yesterday, so that's good. Not that I have a reason to be, but I can't make myself crazy. It will be what it will be. I live in Texas, so my reps are waist-deep in Trump's ass, so contacting them won't do a bit of difference, although many in my FB groups are doing it. Maddow is a good idea and at least wouldn't fall on deaf, bullshit-filled ears.
I'm not delayed yet, and like Marilyn said, he's interested in keeping his rich cronies in Big Pharma happy, so maybe clinical trials won't be affected too badly. No one knows, least of all the Orange Abomination. But the research in the early early phases is already being affected, along with scientists, students, lab employees, etc. etc. It's a mess but supposedly will resume on Feb 1. We'll see. The ripple effect will have unknown consequences for many people.
One of the scientists on Reddit said it's a DEI thing and projects based in DEI - aka including minorities, women, LGBTQ, rural dwellers in clinical trials since they are underrepresented in research--are being dismantled. Ridiculous and so dangerous. I don't know if that's the whole issue but eliminating DEI from government seems to be a factor. Breast cancer in particular was mentioned since that is often DEI because it affects women *breathe breathe breathe* so who the hell knows what they're doing to that research. *breathe bre...fuck it. I hate the bastard*
I have a foot in both camps when it comes to midterms/future elections... I'm cautiously pessimistic that we'll have more elections and the Democrats will have a shot at the majority in either body. Democrats need to collectively grow a pair and fight dirty and hard--I see no evidence of that happening right now, and until I do, I'll be avoiding the shitshow.
Fingers crossed heads exit asses soon.
Lauren
