[mschuster91]

> Some private companies operate PMW satellite constellations and we could accelerate the acquisition of these data, but there are limited (read: none) federal mechanisms to do this and due to vertical integration in the weather industry, the operators of these constellations may not actually be inclined to do so - and certainly won't do so on the cheap, especially for the federal government.

That's the goal, actually. You can be sure someone in the admin owns stock of these companies and pushed for this policy for this very reason.

[counters]

The companies I'm referring to are (generally) not publicly traded, so it's not quite that simple. Is it possible that some sort of backroom shenanigans are going on here? Yeah, absolutely, especially as several knowledgable folks speaking publicly about this episode are pointing their fingers at opaque procedure within Space Force.

But Hanlon's razor ought to apply until shown otherwise.

[JumpCrisscross]

> companies I'm referring to are (generally) not publicly traded

Stock doesn't have to be publicly traded to be traded.

[counters]

You're right, but I would stress that this is an over-simplification of the entangled financial interests that _might_ be at play - and there simply isn't any evidence that has been presented pointing in that direction.

[cyanydeez]

Trump uses hanlons razor to improve his grift outcomes.

[mschuster91]

> But Hanlon's razor ought to apply until shown otherwise

I'm no longer willing to grant this administration this privilege. The last few months were an utter clownshow of corruption.

[counters]

It just isn't helpful to assume malice. Even for the most ardent, ideological Heartland Institute or Heritage Foundation conservative, there is still a path forward in discussing unintended consequences. Just look at the post-Liberation Day rollback of blanket tariffs. At some point, the consequences of actions are felt. Systems respond even when the firmest hand tries to steady them.

At some point you take your hand off the burning stove, even if it means amputating your arm. Some folks should prepare for that contingency while those of us who can still stomach it pursue reason.

[mschuster91]

> At some point, the consequences of actions are felt.

yup, and that's when a Democrat comes in, fixes the worst of the mess, and then a Republican comes in whining about soooo much change. And fiscal stability. And god knows what else. And then, they cut taxes for the rich again and seriously hike the debt.

[ethbr1]

Part of solving the US debt and deficit problem will require laws mandating balancing long-term (>4 years) expenditures / decreases in revenue with long-term revenue generation.

The "run deficits in my 4 years to pay for nice things, to be paid for by taxes once I'm out of office" shit has to stop.

[TimorousBestie]

> At some point, the consequences of actions are felt.

“The market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent,” is a truism from before the Trump era, but it still rings true.

That the administration might eventually realize that one of their policies is hurting small business owners, well, that’s cold comfort to someone whose business is struggling or failing now due to unpredictable tariff rates.

[counters]

It's not a question of "the market." Weather stories very strongly breakthrough in our current media environment. More importantly, weather forecasting and government services related to them enjoy deep and durable bi-partisan support.

It just so happens that the communities most likely to be adversely and quickly impacted by the loss of these data are deep Republican bastions in the South / Gulf Coast.