Notations On Our World (Special Edition): As #Brexit Deal Looms

We present this on a post-Brexit future courtesy of the Financial Times:

What could Britain's future look like post-Brexit? Eight former foreign secretaries – including Boris Johnson, Jack Straw and William Hague – share their thoughts https://t.co/ZOrXTu2cmA pic.twitter.com/nbJWfINAro

— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) January 11, 2019

Out & About On the US Government Shutdown: Perspectives

As we went to press, the US Government shutdown continued.   It impacted Air Travel,  the Federal Courts, Meat inspections and other vital US Government Services as 800,000 Federal Workers went on without pay.   This is as reporting by the New York Times and the Washington Post noted how President Trump was an agent of Russia.      Trevor Noah shared some thoughts on it:



However, one thing that has been so telling has been the absence of the US Senate Majority Leader in the Shutdown as noted below:

History's longest government shutdown is unusual for another reason: Senator Mitch McConnell's absence from negotiations to end it. https://t.co/3Y3HsS4pRd pic.twitter.com/FHFv2NM0ur — Brookings (@BrookingsInst) January 15, 2019

There is also another drama before us:  The hearing to confirm William Barr for Attorney General.   Mr. Barr noted that he would make sure the Special Counsel will be allowed to finish his work underscoring his 30-year friendship with Special Counsel Mueller  and this support from the Judicial Crisis Network:

Bill Barr is a deeply experienced and a bipartisan choice for attorney general who should receive bipartisan support for his confirmation. https://t.co/NaN8wDW0cJ @JCNSeverino

— Judicial Network (@judicialnetwork) January 15, 2019

The anxiety is recognized as exemplified by this from the Commandant of the US Coast Guard:

I recognize that there is anxiety & uncertainty about the status of your pay this evening. Your senior leadership team continues to work on your behalf. We will provide an additional update by 1200 EST. Continue standing the watch--I am proud of your unwavering devotion to duty. pic.twitter.com/ccAq6uP9lK

— Admiral Karl Schultz (@ComdtUSCG) January 15, 2019

As our team continue to assess the discourse on the Government Shutdown (including the one by the Chair of the Council of the President's Economic Advisers calling it a "vacation" by the 800,000 Federal Workers), Kaltoons (whom we have had the pleasure to feature) captured the essence of the message brilliantly:

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): A Blast From the Past Remembering @LindsayGrahamSC

As the 24th day of the US Government shutdown continues, one US Senator has been at the forefront of discussions on the US Public Affairs shows: Senator Linsday Graham of South Carolina.    Our team tracked down a perspective on Senator Graham from the Archives of the Daily Show featuring Jon Stewart--Please Enjoy: