Trump's Appointments and Their Global Reach
Edward Walsh: The New US Ambassador to Ireland
Donald Trump has nominated Edward Walsh to serve as the US ambassador to Ireland. Mr. Walsh is the head of the Walsh Company, a renowned construction firm based in New Jersey. In a statement announcing this decision, Trump described Walsh as a "great philanthropist in his local community" and a former chairman of a state school development board. He further added that Walsh is a champion golfer and a great asset for the ambassador of Ireland. The Walsh Company offers construction, project management, and environmental services. Mr. Walsh is also a member of the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. This appointment comes as part of Trump's numerous nominations that need to be confirmed by the US Senate in the coming months. He will replace Claire Cronin, a Biden appointment who had previously served in Massachusetts state politics.Another notable appointment by Trump is that of Ric Grenell as the "presidential envoy for special missions". Grenell, who was Trump's first-term ambassador to Germany, will work in some of the most challenging regions around the world, including Venezuela and North Korea. This shows Trump's focus on certain global hotspots and his efforts to address international issues through these appointees.
FBI director Christopher Wray's decision to resign before Trump takes office on January 20th has also drawn attention. This premature end to his tenure makes way for Kash Patel, a Trump ally whom the president-elect has nominated to head the chief US law enforcement agency. Trump believes that Patel was instrumental in "uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax".
Trump's Choices for Top Administration Roles
Donald Trump's choices for the top roles in his administration are quite diverse. It includes TV doctor Mehmet Oz, former WWE exec Linda McMahon, Kristi Noem the South Dakota governor who had an interesting incident with shooting the family dog and pet goat. And billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick, who has concerns about the presence of multinationals in Ireland and its impact on "making America great again". Norman Ornstein, a political scientist and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, predicted the rise of Donald Trump in 2015. He now outlines the most remarkable of the US president's cabinet nominees and explains why Ireland has a valid reason to worry about its economic future.These appointments by Trump not only have domestic implications but also have an impact on the international stage. Each appointment brings a unique perspective and set of skills, shaping the direction of the country in different ways.
Trump's approach to appointing individuals for key positions shows his determination to bring about changes and address various issues. Whether it's in the diplomatic realm or law enforcement, these appointees play a crucial role in the functioning of the government.
Unlock the Potential of 3D Milling and Software for Your Business
3D Milling: The Basics
This summer, I had the opportunity to witness a limited training on a Wirtgen 200 Fi. It was a brief encounter - just a single pass in a straight line for about twenty-five feet. But it sparked my curiosity. That's when Jacob Buck reached out, asking about 3D milling.The Buck Brothers were new to this process, having just ventured into milling in general. Adding 3D milling seemed like a leap of faith. On the jobsite that day, it was their first attempt at 3D milling.Jacob Buck, the Vice President of Buck Brothers, stood beside their new behemoth. "It's our first year doing it," he said. "So far, we're really satisfied."To achieve 3D milling with Trimble, they needed several components working together:- Total Station Tripod- Data Collector and Target on a rod with Trimble SiteWorks- Machine Display on the mill with Trimble RoadWorkds 3D- Machine Target ECM and Radio- Trimble Business Center (to build the 3D model)GPS may be familiar, but machine grade controls for 3D milling require a higher level of accuracy. Universal Total Station (UTS) provides millimeter-level accuracy compared to GPS's roughly golf ball-sized accuracy.The process begins with surveying the site using the total station and a data collector. The data is then brought back to the office to create a model, optimize it, and ensure no water holds. Once the 3D model is in the machine and the automatics are set, operators can focus on driving and directing while the mill follows the pre-designed model.3D milling is highly effective in fixing and repairing existing pavements. It allows contractors to get to the root cause and prevent future problems. The UTS accuracy is crucial for making those careful adjustments.Boom In Business
The Buck Brothers knew there was demand for milling services, but they didn't expect the extent. They now receive around five hundred calls a week. To manage this growth, they adopted new software.HubSpot is their customer relationship manager (CRM), and OneCrew handles other aspects. This helped them scale up and understand their business better."We are getting like five hundred calls a week," said Buck. "People think I'm bull-shitting them, but I'm not. The new software has made everything run smoother."Software SolutionsThe Buck Brothers use two different software for backend management, but I was interested in a single-platform solution. PROcru's software combines job costing, scheduling, CRM, and more.Tom Hastings, the Technical Director of Software at PROcru, explained, "Right from the initial call, you'll pull three things: the contact, the company, and the site or services needed. This generates a new lead."The platform continues to track data throughout the process, from proposals to final outcomes. It also serves as a scheduling tool, allowing teams to see their assignments and track time and expenses."We can schedule by either service-line or by crews," said Hastings. "Employees can see their daily assignments on their phones, and it records all the information."Real-time comparison of projected and actual labor-hours and materials helps identify areas that need attention."I think the most beneficial portion of PROcru for contractors is the instantaneous job costing every day. Every day, the management team can see exactly how the crews are performing," said Hastings.For paving companies looking to break through barriers, exploring technological offerings like 3D milling and software solutions could be the key to growth.Uncover the Secrets of a Hollywood Home's Past
The Hollywood Hills Residence: A Tale of Two Deaths
The late Brittany Murphy's tragic collapse in this Hollywood Hills home on December 20, 2009, at the age of 32 sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Just five months later, her husband, Simon Monjack, was found dead on the property. Since then, numerous mysteries have surrounded their deaths, from reports of otherworldly encounters to rumors about the possible role of the house in this confounding story.
Over the past 15 years, the house has changed hands several times. The current owners, who purchased it in 2020, have recently put it up for sale again with an asking price of $17,995,000. Alamy images showcase the property, but a quick search of the address reveals its deeper, more mysterious story.
The House's Rebirth and Renovation
The listing makes it clear that the house has undergone a complete transformation since Murphy's time there. Its exterior has been newly redesigned, the front entry has been recently reimagined, and the interiors and outdoor living spaces have been refreshed. This rebirth gives the property a new lease on life, but it cannot erase the shadows of its past.
According to property records, Murphy purchased the fully furnished home in 2003 from Britney Spears for $3.85 million. She lived in the house with Monjack for nearly six years before their tragic deaths. The memories of their time there still linger, adding an air of mystery to the property.
The Day Brittany Died
On the fateful day, Brittany's mother, Sharon Murphy, who lived with the couple, called 911 when the "Clueless" star collapsed at 8 a.m. after experiencing flu-like symptoms for a few days. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded promptly, and the actress was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. Her cause of death was determined to be untreated pneumonia, combined with anemia and drug intoxication from prescription and over-the-counter medications.
However, Simon's mother, Linda Monjack, raised speculation that there was "severe mold" in the home before her son's death. In 2013, she told the Daily Mail, "All I know is that before Simon's death, he was having hallucinations that things were crawling out of his skin." This theory was previously dismissed by the medical examiner's office in 2010.
Otherworldly Encounters and Superstitions
Both Brittany and the home's former owner, Britney Spears, reported having a sense that something was amiss about the place. Spears, who was dating Justin Timberlake when she lived in the house, allegedly claimed to have had an otherworldly encounter that led her to leave the property and never return.
Spears' former makeup artist, Julianne Kaye, recounted the situation on an episode of the "We Need to Talk About Britney" podcast in February 2021. She explained, "She had that place up on Sunset Plaza — and I'm just gonna say, this is really weird … She calls me … I had my friend do reiki healing on her. He had come up; I guess she'd had a crazy partying weekend and needed to relax. He left, and she swears to God that he opened some spirit portal or something, and these bad spirits had come in … and they were trying to, like, push her down the stairs or something crazy."
While Murphy never claimed to see spirits, she did seem to have a sense that something was off about the home. In a January 2011 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, shortly after Murphy's death, Monjack shared that his late wife tried to avoid the home at all costs. He said, "She absolutely hated the Rising Glen house. Every time we would drive up Sunset, Brit would say, 'Please, can we stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel?' I'd say: 'Honey, you've got to be realistic. We have our house, a 10,000-square-foot home. We're going to stay in it.'"
The Unlucky Real Estate History
The home has had an unlucky streak on the real estate market in the past. It was listed for sale and rent several times in the last several years, with the most recent listing for $75,000 per month. The six-bedroom, nine-bathroom, 9,400 sq ft. spread was briefly listed for sale by the current owners in the summer of 2024 with a price tag of $19 million before being removed. The current asking price of $17,995,000 is a one-million-dollar discount, but after nearly three months, it is still looking for its next resident.