#politics

Do it. Lay off the productive people again. Promote the ones who are best at politics. The company will keep declining, and I'll be long gone, relieved to not be part of the slow-motion train wreck anymore.

Ex-schwabbie here wondering if employees are planning to group together and participate in the general strike tomorrow. As you should know Schwab is deep in bed with Trump and is so cosigning the atrocities happening at home and across the world. I'm just curious but not necessarily encouraging a strike... Just something to think about...

Found this interesting Reddit thread for yesterday.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IBM/comments/1qot69r/workplace_politics/

Gave me much relief I am not the only one feeling and experiencing this at IBM. I attend the Albany Research center in New York and the location is entirely run on politics. Nepotism, cronyism and favoritism rule the site. It’s run by a small group that has been in charge since the beginning. Merit and hard work and accomplishments mean little here what matters most is if you are one the favorites. It seems the locations intended is for personal gain of small group and their acolytes and not for semiconductors.

https://apnews.com/article/cbs-news-bari-weiss-01613e8993008e171ecc7fcc1c6b8bda

Prime Video lost its bet on The Rings of Power and now it's repeating the failure with Melania just to score a few political favors with Trump. Then it sacked Jen Salke.

Reports say the new movie about Melania Trump has flopped at the box office. The project cost an estimated $75 million in total—between acquisition and global theatrical rollout—but is tracking at roughly $5 million for its opening weekend with many empty theatres.

Would a boycott of Apple actually happen, or are folks too enamored with their gadgets to care? Is Apple a progressive company, or just a capitalist company? I was planning on upgrading a number of devices this year, but this made me think.

https://www.al.com/politics/2026/01/apple-faces-boycott-call-tim-cook-slammed-for-partying-with-trumps-hours-after-ice-shooting.html?outputType=amp

UGH speaks out on what is going on in Minneapolis: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/26/business/minnesota-companies-ceos-target

At last a voice of reason ! All that noise makes it harder to figure out who to RIF and what life saving claims to deny. Please quite down people, business have work to do!

Head of a BU (L1) appointing his old (kisser) report to be the head (L3) of a highly technical domain which the kisser has no education, training and experience.

I'm not talking about the old head of HR with engineering background moving to a business role in wealth which you may say she just get this extradentary business sense that makes her a perfect fit. I'm talking about the reverse: a leader of low tech appointed to be the leader of high tech which Fido desperately needs some external leadership.

I guess it doesn't rise to the level of unethical behavior on the L1's part, but apparently he either is so d-mb or just doesn't care about the wellness of Fidelity. How can I lodge an complaint? Chairman's Line? As DARN won't work since the L1 is up on my report chain. I don't particularly care about my career in Fidelity as can't wait to get out of here after my fifth anniversary after all things vests.

Mobility for the bottom echelon is a joke at Fidelity I know for a while. Every time those
"leaders" invoke the word "mobility" I chuckle. This appointment just once more affirms that mobility is only for the higher ups at Fido!

Today Steve will announce he plans to return profits to Obama care in 2026. Flood your congressman with your thoughts as they should ask him where he obtained all that money. Makes sense why no one getting a descent raise, a bonus or why he decreased the 401 k match and the uptick in layoffs. He got to impress some congressman and throw them a bone.

The GOP is targeting health insurance companies this year, and it will impact this company. The days of free money and corruption are over.

Why is micron firing american workers and building a factory in america? Will they hire mostly asians for the new factory and keep laying of americans?

This is an ominous sign. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/17/trump-jpmorgan-debanking-lawsuit-00735544

Trumps Healthcare Bill
Trump announced today a plan to reduce healthcare costs (great!). He seemed to take aim at taking money out of the hands of insurance companies. Do you think this will mean more layoff at UHG/Optum?

https://themetrodetroitnews.com/video-trump-yells-f-you-to-attendee-during-ford-plant-visit-in-dearborn/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPTnDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHVjdjZ1pvaW0zUkExQXZXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpFAf-2l_ZvGzKK9DBQpqiHzXM3HbBcpe2MfQWXW6jbr5c9e5CN2p_YngEMS_aem_t4CyOeiPThL8lnRTZmRFNA

I really want to be a VP or SVP. I’m currently an L5 and just started a couple months ago. People are telling me to do a lot of GTKYs and that it can get pretty political. Is this true? Any advice?

Story by Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Kevin Crowley

(Bloomberg) -- When Exxon Mobil Corp. Chief Executive Darren Woods told President Donald Trump Friday that Venezuela is currently “uninvestable,” he was echoing warnings already issued by oil industry leaders and analysts.

Indeed, some of his peers had tried to dissuade the White House from even holding the meeting, according to people familiar with the matter.

While Trump wants US companies to invest at least $100 billion rebuilding Venezuela’s beleaguered oil sector following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, some executives worry conditions won’t permit a speedy turnaround. They also don’t want their companies cast as opportunistically dividing up Venezuela’s vast crude reserves, believed to be the world’s largest, the people said.

Woods not only attended the meeting of roughly 20 oil industry executives, he spoke his mind. But Trump didn’t appear to appreciate the candor. By Sunday evening, the president was telling reporters he “didn’t like” Woods’ remarks and was inclined to keep Exxon out of Venezuela, saying, “They’re playing too cute.”

“Woods thought he was speaking the truth — and he probably was — but he didn’t read the room,” said Andrew Logan, oil and gas senior director at the CERES climate advocacy nonprofit, who speaks regularly with oil industry investors. “He wasn’t in a position to say that without blowback, and blowback is what he got.”

It was a fresh reminder of the potential pitfalls for the leaders of any company — or country — when summoned to Trump’s White House for a meeting. The president is fond of opening some sessions up for public viewing, giving him a platform to extract concessions from gathered executives or government leaders.

Oil executives, however, have reason to be cautious about Venezuela.

Any bid to significantly boost the country’s recent oil production of nearly 1 million barrels per day — much less reach 1970’s peak of close to 4 million barrels daily — would likely require tens of billions of dollars. Companies would have to rebuild or replace abandoned rigs, leaky pipelines and fire-ravaged equipment. Even beyond the physical challenge, industry representatives say they want to see political and legal reforms enabling them to move money in and out of the country as well as on-the-ground security before they make any big commitments.

“The industry was unified on Friday — with the meeting with the president — that there are going to be certain prerequisites that have to happen before there’s continued investment in Venezuela,” Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, told reporters Monday.

Exxon’s arch-rival Chevron Corp. remains, for now, the only major international oil company operating in Venezuela.

Exxon executives were taken aback by the media’s reaction to Woods’ comments — according to a person familiar with the company’s thinking — given he also told Trump the company was planning to send an assessment team if invited by the Venezuelan government. In addition, Woods expressed confidence the Trump administration could deliver the legal and regulatory reforms needed for any future investment.

Despite Trump’s negative response, administration officials took note of the changes Woods recommended, said people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the conversations were private. A White House official pointed to the president’s Sunday remarks when asked to comment. Exxon declined to comment beyond Woods’ remarks on Friday.

Woods has become more strident in his public comments in recent years, speaking forcefully in pursuit of his policy goals even when it risks unpopularity with politicians, the media and investors. It’s a departure from former CEO — and Trump’s former secretary of state — Rex Tillerson, who tended to be more conservative in his approach to the company’s image.

“They’re gone from seeing silence as a source of strength to seeing silence as weakness,” Logan said. “It’s been a dramatic shift.”

When Europe was considering new climate and human rights laws last year, Woods was among the first high-profile CEOs to attack them directly. He also pushed back on Trump’s plan to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement, arguing it would forfeit the chance to press for “common sense” carbon-cutting policy on the world stage.

Most strikingly, Woods took Chevron to international arbitration after its competitor agreed to buy Hess Corp., a deal that would secure a 30% stake in Exxon’s prized oil development off the coast of Guyana, next door to Venezuela. Exxon lost, as most analysts expected, but the case left Chevron in strategic limbo for more than a year. Woods defended his decision to pursue it, saying his company would always seek to protect shareholder rights.

For now, there are no signs the Trump administration will actively dissuade Exxon’s involvement in any Venezuelan reconstruction, should the company choose to pursue it.

As one of the Western oil majors with experience in the country — having left after billions in assets were seized by the government — Exxon is viewed as well-positioned to help. Most of Venezuela’s oil is heavy and sour, making it technically challenging to produce. That could constrain some of the independent oil companies that were more bullish at the White House meeting.

Trump told reporters after Friday’s meeting that “we sort of formed a deal.” But pressed to identify any specific commitments, Energy Secretary Chris Wright pointed to Chevron’s plan to increase its Venezuelan production by roughly 50% over the next 18 to 24 months as the “one specific pledge” from an oil company.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/exxon-s-truth-telling-on-venezuela-shows-risk-of-crossing-trump

Jeff Miller went to the White House on friday to meet with Trump and other oil execs. Miller said Halliburton would love to go back to Venezuela. Trump responded “you’ll be back”.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/11/trump-inclined-to-keep-exxonmobil-out-of-venezuela-after-ceo-response-at-white-house-meeting-00721688

Good luck with interest rates for the next 3 years. Be like Powell.

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20260111a.htm

January 11, 2026
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell

Good evening.
On Friday, the Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury
subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June.

The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal
Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.

This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on
evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.

Via new republic.com

“You’re all gonna do very well—Marco just gave me a note. ‘Go back to Chevron, they want to discuss something,’” Trump read, turning to look at Chevron Vice Chairman Mark Nelson. “Go ahead, I’m going back to Chevron, Mark.”

Rubio grimaced uncomfortably, as Trump patted him on the back. “Thank you, Marco,” he said.

“Was there a question, Mr. President?” Nelson asked.

“Yes, go ahead Marco, what are you saying here?” Trump asked, inspecting the note again.

For more than 20 years he looks good. But we who know him, know otherwise. Look up The Peter Principle and there’s a picture of Ryan. Chevron and XOM (and everyone else) will get things done.

I just finished a great meeting with the very successful Intel CEO, Lip-Bu Tan. Intel just launched the first SUB 2 NANOMETER CPU PROCESSOR designed, built, and packaged right here in the U.S.A. The United States Government is proud to be a Shareholder of Intel, and has already made, through its U.S.A. ownership position, Tens of Billions of Dollars for the American People — IN JUST FOUR MONTHS. We made a GREAT Deal, and so did Intel. Our Country is determined to bring leading edge Chip Manufacturing back to America, and that is exactly what is happening!!!

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115861537483492504

No wonder CK sends out a 7pm email on OUR RESPONSIBILITY and COMMITMENT..
LOLzzz
Don’t Trump know the defense companies work for stockholders not the nation ?

https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2026/01/08/government-contractors-trump-stock-buybacks.html

https://dpa-international.com/politics/urn:newsml:dpa.com:20090101:260108-99-106399/

Trump signs order to block defense companies, like Boeing from buying back stock until arms production improves.
The Trump administration has criticized the defense industry for what it describes as high costs and slow production.
For Boeing production never will improve

See notice to the Defense Contractors below, next will be oil companies who do not invest in Venezuela! Thank you for your attention in this matter XOM Management Committee!

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

All United State Defense Contractors, and the Defense Industry as a whole, BEWARE:
While we make the best Military Equipment in the World (No other Country is even close!), Defense Contractors are currently issuing massive Dividends to their Shareholders and massive Stock Buybacks, at the expense and detriment of investing in Plants and Equipment. This situation will no longer be allowed or tolerated!

Also, Executive Pay Packages in the Defense Industry are exorbitant and unjustifiable given how slowly these Companies are delivering vital Equipment to our Military, and our Allies. Salaries, Stock Options, and every other form of Compensation are far too high for these Executives. Defense Companies are not producing our Great Military Equipment rapidly enough and, once produced, not maintaining it properly or quickly. From this moment forward, these Executives must build NEW and MODERN Production Plants, both for delivering and maintaining this important Equipment, and for building the latest Models of future Military Equipment. Until they do so, no Executive should be allowed to make in excess of $5 Million Dollars which, as high as it sounds, is a mere fraction of what they are making now. Additionally, the maintenance and repair of Equipment, once sold, is far too slow, and must be immediately enhanced. As President, I am demanding that maintenance be “spot on, on time.”

Therefore, I will not permit Dividends or Stock Buybacks for Defense Companies until such time as these problems are rectified — Likewise, for Salaries and Executive Compensation. MILITARY EQUIPMENT IS NOT BEING MADE FAST ENOUGH! It must be built now with the Dividends, Stock Buybacks, and Over Compensation of Executives, rather than borrowing from Financial Institutions, or getting the money from your Government. Longer term, this is good for both Executives and Shareholders, because it will be GREAT for our Country! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

They're part of the old regime, and complicit in a lot of the things that FB did to the company. Are they still there?

Politics rule this company. It would be established if they didn’t stop changing technology every 3 months… about the amount of time it takes for a senior leader to be let go or forced into retirement, and bringing in someone new who wants a notch on their belt for implementation.

Let’s also start where they positioned to sell to Cigna and took themselves out of regular insurance without signing contracts. Cigna backed out, most likely pointing and laughing and the stupidity. The email sent by sad-sack senior leadership was confusing, poorly written, and verified there was something fishy going on. If you’re going to lie, Humana, lie better.

Humana: when it takes a year or more to resolve IT issues but 3 months to restructure and change technologies.

For those in Corporate Risk.

by Nov 15 - performance calibration within group.
by Nov end - managers enter compensation.

By Dec 9 - DF calibration.

Jan 1 - 28 politics and favoritism on the bonus amount for team members.
Jan 28 bonus discussion to team members.

Feb 13 bonus payment

It looks like the Republicans have found there talking point to go after the ACA. They are blaming health insurance providers for the high cost of healthcare and pointing to the profits they've made since Obamacare started. 2026 is going to be a tough year for this industry.

Scratching my head on this one…. What kids dad got him a CEO job at Huntington? It shows.

We won't know if the guppy will lay eggs and populate the tank until 2027.

There is a chance the guppy will bring in its bigger brother, the whale.

Even if it works out, let's see if the higher US production costs scare away the whale.

Don't sc--w it up!

Or is this just a political donation?

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/intel-moves-closer-to-building-apples-entry-level-m-series-chips-on-18a

Shouldn't their super sophisticated automated tests have caught this? I guess they're too busy playing politics to preserve their easy jobs of maintenance and support. There's a lot of money behind this failure.

"Imagine producing an engine so poor that it's led to over 600,000 vehicles being recalled and has been responsible for a dozen crashes and injuries, and you'll be in GM's shoes."

Read More: https://www.slashgear.com/2053136/gm-v8-engine-recall-combined-class-action-lawsuit/

It was a farce from the beginning. The organization selected incompetent and unqualified individuals to LCS. Instead of choosing the right people based on skills, selection was based on politics…you help me and I help you. It’s an organization full of backstabbers/ credit stealers who are adept at managing up but achieved little on their own. What’s worst is the nonsense they spout inside and outside the company. A layoff there is needed.

https://globalbiodefense.com/2025/07/03/trump-vance-research-cuts-biotech-warning-2025/

How Trump's 'crony capitalism' has shaken up U.S. business https://www.npr.org/2025/12/22/nx-s1-5639916/trump-crony-capitalism-free-market

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-summon-insurance-execs-demand-212014626.html

Why are some employees consistently protected, no matter what they do?

The Trump administration appealed a judge’s ruling that it illegally froze more than $2 billion in research funding to punish Harvard University for refusing to comply with a host of demands from the federal government.

US lawyers filed a notice of appeal on Thursday, more than three months after US District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Trump administration had violated Harvard’s free-speech and due-process rights.

https://www.ndtvprofit.com/world/us-appeals-harvard-court-victory-on-2-billion-funding-freeze

Question now is will the Federal Reserve add it to their holiday schedule and then will we get an email from Charlie telling us that we are off too?

Good to know. 😂