Todd Metcalf 🌻

Proud @tennalum & Principal @PwC_LLP's Tax Policy Services & former Chief Tax Counsel @SenateFinance passionate about policy, politics & @Vol_Sports #GBO

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

I would kindly request that airline pilots cease thanking passengers for “their patience” when identifying yet another reason (or is it excuse?) the system has failed to allow for an on time arrival. Don’t patronize us by thanking us for what we almost certainly do not have.

[The Tennessee Holler @TheTNHoller]

Maddow tries to shake @RepJeffries into meeting the moment: "Policy doesn't feel like the main conversation… we are in the middle of a Ketamine-fueled middle of the night autocratic power grab rendering Congress irrelevant, making the rule of law an afterthought if not a joke."

[𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰 @politicsusa46]

Today we have heard some outstanding speeches from NATO ally leaders. However, this one from the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, was the one that spoke to me for sure.

I think it’s time to stop pretending to ourselves that the U.S. is anything but an impediment to solving this existential threat, to the welfare and safety of all our citizens.

Let me quote Sun Tzu's The Art of War. ‘All warfare is based on deception’ and for sure, Putin has waged a war of deception. He projected the historical power of the mighty Red army in a bid to quickly overrun Ukraine. He attempted to do it with untrained poorly equipped troops, on out of date rations.

Putin rolled the dice thinking NATO would not commit troops to help defend Ukraine and he was right. What he didn’t plan for, was the lion spirit of the Ukrainian people and the ingenuity of their military engineers. Their work with drones and sea drones has redefined battlefield strategy. Once allies started providing javelin anti-tank missiles and supporting artillery, the game changed. They prevented the Russians from achieving air superiority? And the Russian Black Sea Fleet had to retreat from port.

It is testament to the Ukrainian army and air force, Russia has been held back against all the odds. Let’s be clear, the military has achieved what it has, not because of us, but in-spite of us. We have only given them enough weapons to hold the bear back, not to evict it. There were constant delays, waiting on artillery shells, HIMARS and ATACMS, as well as tanks and F16s.

WE HAVE LET THEM DOWN. Yet these brave men and women have innovated and made do, to defend not only their country, but our borders too. WE OWE THEM BIG TIME. Not with words and sympathy, but with the proper tools to get the job done.

America has disgracefully walked away and aligned with our enemy. The U.S. president’s pet, Elon Musk along with JD Vance, have meanwhile actively supported far right political parties in Europe. Then Vance had the audacity to turn up and lecture us on our own doorstep. What was our answer? ‘Please don’t hurt us’.

This week, we see a slow procession of European leaders making the pilgrimage to the court of Mad King Don for a humiliation session. Pardon my French but ‘f*ck that’, it’s time to stand tall and tell Trump to ‘f*ck right off’ and if it were me. I’d tell him to take his airbases with him too and cancel all military arms contracts.

If he wants access to Ukrainian minerals that’s fine. Ukraine HAS NO DEBT with the U.S. They simply have the thanks of a grateful nation. There was no loan agreement. If he wants mineral rights, then provide an arms package as a down payment for future revenues. Leave the deal on the table for a week and if it’s not signed, pull the deal. Then they get nothing and in addition, no bids will be accepted from US companies for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. Now that’s the art of the deal.

As for NATO allies, Trump is walking away regardless, so Europe needs to get its act together NOW. Seize Russian assets and use the funds to fire up the European military industrial base. This will create jobs and growth, while capacity is expanded in all countries with an arms manufacturing capability.

In the meantime, we already have the ability, especially if Poland steps up, to defend against any increased Russian aggression. The British military has already said, if it were needed, we would meet that threat head on today. If this collective approach is taken, the Russian army in Ukraine could be crushed just as crushed the Iraqi army in Desert Storm.

It’s time to show the Americans their services are no longer required. Then when the war is over, we can look to promote the Euro as the new global reserve currency. No harm in ambition I say.

We need to believe in ourselves. It’s time to get the job done and show the world FAFO. There’s only one village idiot in this town and it’s not Zelenskyy.

I rest my case.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Three years of resistance. Three years of gratitude. Three years of absolute heroism of Ukrainians. I am proud of Ukraine! I thank everyone who defends and supports it. Everyone who works for Ukraine. And may the memory of all those who gave their lives for our state and people be eternal. 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

#SupportUkraine

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

This brilliant cartoon clearly explains Trump’s current position on Ukraine. It is in Ukrainian with English subtitles. Share it with anyone who keeps repeating russian propaganda.

[James E. Clyburn @RepJamesClyburn]

Today would have been my dear friend John Lewis's 85th birthday.

In times like these, we ought to look to John's example — his unflinching courage in standing up for what was right.

I miss John every day. Let's honor him by continuing his fight.

[🍊🍊Capt'n Cornjuice🥃🥃 @BoCamaro]

Ok...

Hear me out....

Tennessee and Notre Dame Home and Home(ish)....

And play in Bristol Motor Speedway and Indy on the Brickyard!

@AD_DannyWhite make this your crown jewel achievement of your career and get this done.

It would be amazing!

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

RETWEET if you stand with Maine Governor Janet Mills against Donald Trump!

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

@SullenSerf Notre Dame or Michigan

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

@AuntSassyAss 🇺🇦

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

What @jabbotthabit said!!!

[Jake Abbott @jabbotthabit]

Respectfully, if you feel this way, maybe this line of work isn’t for you.

Ask for better pay, better benefits, and more opportunities to grow and make a difference. Don’t ask to work less than the people you represent.

[Robert Griffin III @RGIII]

Tennessee wasn’t outclassed. They were a team that earned the right to be on the field even when you consider other teams that could’ve been there. The same goes for Indiana. They both had an off night at the wrong time regardless of what conference they play in.

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

Thank you indeed. @CooperMays is a genuine legend. We would have fallen far short of 10-win seasons without his total commitment and exceptional play. #GBO

[Rocky Top Now @rockytopnow]

Thank you @CooperMays❤️

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

@MattSmith2044 I love this new attitude and approach to the new year.

[Tennessee Football @Vol_Football]

congrats coach! 🍊

@coachjoshheupel is a semifinalist for the @MaxwellFootball George Munger Award

📰 » https://t.co/xVToUDaBiI

#GBO

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

#GBO

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

Why does @mikebarnicle feel compelled to further spread the lie that the CR included “a new stadium”? The bill would transfer control over a parcel of land in DC to the DC gov’t to redevelop. There is $0 for any stadium. Thank you @WillieGeist for correcting the record.

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

Remember when John McCain was the nominee of the Republican Party?

[Ryan Burge 📊 @ryanburge]

For some reason, I have been thinking about this moment a lot today.

It's from John McCain in 2008 at a town hall.

The woman begins to espouse conspiracy theories about Barack Obama's nationality.

He immediately shuts it down.

"No ma'am. He's a decent family man."

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

@SullenSerf Alabama at Tennessee, October 17, 1970. UT won 24-0.

[Todd Metcalf 🌻 @jtoddindc]

@RossKneeDeep 💙