I went to a local winery today [View all]

[stollen]

to cancel my membership. The winery is near DC.

"I'm sorry you'll be leaving us."

Yes, I'm leaving for Europe for a few months.

"How fun! "

I only hope I have a safe flight over.

"Don't worry. They'll double up on the air traffic controllers now."

I'm not so sure. There's a hiring freeze as Trump is demanding federal workers either retire or be fired. Air traffic controllers work for the federal govt.

"Are you sure? [She's a Trumpie with no clue.] I hadn't heard that. Why would he do that?"

A guy alone at the bar next to me says, "Because he wants to get rid of DEI hires. I can't recall what the letters stand for."

Diversity, equity and inclusion.

"Right. Anyway, getting rid of that office will improve the quality of candidates. Plus, I'd always wanted a buyout when I worked for the feds."

Well, I got a buyout, and so did my husband. The point is not everyone wants ...

Man interrupts: DEI costs money, and it's not doing its job to hire the best candidates.

Actually, DEI is umbrella'd by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to avoid discrimi....

Man interrupts: "We should hire based on ability."

A female naval pilot just tried to apply for Top Gun, and her supervisor laughed in her fa...

Man interrupts: "Well, I've never been one for having women in the military.

It's not just one's gender the Civil Rights Act protects but also personal sexual identity, religious preference, disabilities, ...

Man interrupts: "But not merit. Plus,"

Let me finish. How do you know a woman or someone in a wheelchair can't do a better job unless they're included in the pile of candi...

Man interrupts: "But..."

The wine pourer and people at a table are listening as I get impatient with the man.

I blow past the man's interruption using a louder voice: ...candidates? In fact, Trump himself is using DEI when choosing his cabinet. One candidate, who was just approved for the DoD Sec, is a recovering alcoholic. Alcoholism is a disability. Another, for HHS, was a long time heroin addict..."

Man interrupts: You're speaking to a brick wall. I'm a republican."

I know. I can tell by the way you talk down to me.

Man and wine pourer look at me stunned. I grab my two months worth of membership wine and split, never to return.