Plan B Forum

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Communications Commission announced on March 23 that it will be banning the sale of new foreign-made Wi-Fi routers going forward, citing "unacceptable risks" to national security. The ban doesn't apply to any existing routers that the FCC has already authorized, so you don't need to rush out and replace your router immediately.

You can still use your existing router, but there is one big caveat hidden in the FCC’s Public Notice: “All routers authorized for use in the United States may continue to receive software and firmware updates that mitigate harm to US consumers at least until March 1, 2027.”

Firmware updates are essential to both your router’s performance and security. Most router companies issue automatic firmware updates to fix security vulnerabilities as they pop up, and you may not even be aware when they happen. If a router can’t update its firmware after March 1 of next year, it’s generally considered unsafe to continue using, as your Wi-Fi network could become vulnerable to malware or other cybersecurity threats without regular firmware updates.

liberty wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2026 7:11 pm

I believe I’ve heard comments about Trump wanting to cut social safety net programs in the United States. I hope that’s just a rumor, because promoting something like that would be devastating for the Republican Party. They are now seen by many of their supporters as the party of the people, the party that supports America, tries to bring jobs back to the country, works to reduce illegal immigration, and claims to care about the general population rather than only special interest groups. If they were to cut these social programs, it would be disastrous for their chances in the midterm elections. Most Americans, across political lines, do not want to return to the social conditions of the 1920s. They need to be very careful about this kind of talk, or it is going to hurt them badly in the midterms

liberty wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2026 7:11 pm

BoSoxGal wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2026 7:26 pm

liberty wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2026 7:11 pm

I believe I’ve heard comments about Trump wanting to cut social safety net programs in the United States. I hope that’s just a rumor, because promoting something like that would be devastating for the Republican Party. They are now seen by many of their supporters as the party of the people, the party that supports America, tries to bring jobs back to the country, works to reduce illegal immigration, and claims to care about the general population rather than only special interest groups. If they were to cut these social programs, it would be disastrous for their chances in the midterm elections. Most Americans, across political lines, do not want to return to the social conditions of the 1920s. They need to be very careful about this kind of talk, or it is going to hurt them badly in the midterms

Usually I don’t read your comments - I have you blocked - because the annoyance factor is just too great for my peace of mind to withstand.

But I have to reply to this one because WTF??? You’ve heard comments and rumors??? What news, if any, do you consume?

The proposed 2027 budget of the child rapist grifter is published on the official websites of the federal government. It’s not a rumor. He is exploding the budget for the department of defense and slashing anything that helps regular citizens, including just about every social program.

You have an obligation to know this.

liberty wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2026 12:00 am

I will never vote for any candidate or party that proposes to abandon the most helpless Americans. I will not do that, whatever the consequences may be. And as far as being informed, I will be informed by the time elections arrive, or I will not vote at all, which is what happened last time.

Bicycle Bill wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2026 12:58 am

liberty wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2026 12:00 am

I will never vote for any candidate or party that proposes to abandon the most helpless Americans. I will not do that, whatever the consequences may be. And as far as being informed, I will be informed by the time elections arrive, or I will not vote at all, which is what happened last time.

"Evil wins when good men do nothing" — attributed to Edmund Burke.   Take the time to become informed — and from sources on both sides of the issue, s'il vous plaît.

-"BB"-

Burning Petard wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2026 1:32 am

It is my opinion that Trump was elected president, not because of the strong support of the MAGA people, but because of the strong feelings against the other candidate. The votes were not for Trump but against the other guy. It may be obsolete 'common knowledge' but back in the early 70's when I was studying political science, it was conventional wisdom that in American elections, the most knowledgeable people in terms of the local and national issues made up their minds as to how they vote the earliest. The longer the 'undecided' remain undecided, the more likely they were be the least informed and make their choice based on more trivial details, such as their hair and makeup for female candidates, and 'would you want him at your back yard bbq for males. Funny how we don't pick our plumber that way.

snailgate.

liberty wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 06, 2026 2:00 am
I will never vote for any candidate or party that proposes to abandon the most helpless Americans. I will not do that, whatever the consequences may be. And as far as being informed, I will be informed by the time elections arrive, or I will not vote at all, which is what happened last time.

Trump is seeking to pay for his new $1.5 trillion military budget by cutting the following:

$510 million - Grants for farmers and agricultural research
$82 million - Loans for rural small businesses (Fully eliminated)
$61 million - Support for farmers and food markets (Fully eliminated)
$240 million - School meals and food education for children abroad (Fully eliminated)
$659 million - Community building grants
$47 million - Support for minority-owned businesses (Fully eliminated)
$449 million - Economic development grants for communities
$1.6 billion - Weather forecasting, fisheries, and coastal protection (NOAA)
$993 million - Scientific research and technology standards
$150 million - Support for American exports and trade
$2.2 billion - Broadband and internet access programs
$8.5 billion - Funding for public schools
$1.5 billion - Vocational training and adult education (Fully eliminated)
$2.7 billion - College access and higher education support
$15.2 billion - Roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects
$1.1 billion - Home energy efficiency and clean energy programs (Fully eliminated)
$1.1 billion - Scientific research funding
$386 million - Environmental cleanup programs
$150 million - Cutting-edge clean energy research
$4 billion - Help paying home heating and cooling bills for low-income families (Fully eliminated)
$768 million - Refugee resettlement assistance
$819 million - Care and shelter for migrant children
$775 million - Local anti-poverty programs (Fully eliminated)
$5 billion - Public health programs, mental health services, and disease prevention
$5 billion - Medical research (NIH)
$129 million - Healthcare quality and safety research
$356 million - Emergency preparedness and disaster response
$1.3 billion - FEMA community disaster preparedness grants
$707 million - Cybersecurity protection for critical infrastructure
$52 million - Airport and transportation security
$40 million - Protection against chemical and biological weapons threats
$53 million - Funding for homeland security operations
$3.3 billion - Community development block grants for local neighborhoods (Fully eliminated)
$1.3 billion - Affordable housing construction grants (Fully eliminated)
$393 million - Programs to reduce homelessness
$529 million - Housing assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS (Fully eliminated)
$489 million - Housing and services for Native American communities
$50 million - Grants to help communities build more housing (Fully eliminated)
$60 million - Enforcement of fair housing and anti-discrimination laws
$58 million - Homebuyer and renter counseling services (Fully eliminated)
$45 million - Renewable energy development programs (Fully eliminated)
$1.7 billion - Grants for local law enforcement and public safety
$20 million - Civil rights mediation and legal access programs (Fully eliminated)
$1.6 billion - Job training for at-risk youth (Fully eliminated)
$395 million - Jobs program for low-income seniors (Fully eliminated)
$234 million - Worker safety and labor protection programs
$101 million - Enforcement of equal pay and workplace anti-discrimination laws
$46 million - Programs to combat child labor and forced labor abroad
$2 billion - International humanitarian aid
$1.2 billion - Food aid for hungry families abroad (Fully eliminated)
$4.3 billion - Global health and disease prevention programs
$2.7 billion - Funding for the United Nations and international partnerships
$642 million - International economic and treasury programs
$315 million - Democracy and anti-corruption programs abroad
$486 million - Grants for public transit projects
$4.2 billion - Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
$372 million - Airline service for rural and small communities
$145 million - Grants for sustainable and equitable infrastructure
$204 million - Loans and investment for underserved communities
$1.4 billion - IRS taxpayer services and enforcement
$100 million - Air pollution monitoring and reduction programs (Fully eliminated)
$1 billion - EPA grants to states for environmental protection
$2.5 billion - Clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funds
$90 million - Grants to reduce diesel pollution (Fully eliminated)
$3.4 billion - NASA space and earth science research
$297 million - NASA technology innovation programs
$1.1 billion - International Space Station operations
$143 million - STEM education programs
$309 million - Small business development and entrepreneurship programs
$170 million - Small Business Administration operations
$158 million - Loans for small businesses