Here above is one of the birthday greetings I've received now at my 88th birthday. My son is celebrating his 52nd birthday at the same time,
After experiencing pain in both thumbs, I consulted a former colleague at the Occupational Therapy Association, who advised me to stay off the computer for a few days, soak my hands in hot water, and take an OTC painkiller, so now I'm back here again after a short break.
I've now been munching on macadamia nuts sent as birthday gift by my daughter in Hawaii. "Macademia nuts are edible seeds derived from evergreen trees native to Australia."
Against the backdrop of geopolitical crises and the ascendance of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the monthlong holiday took on added significance this year.
When I lived back in DC near the local Amnesty International office, we used to celebrate Ramandan there with people of all faiths.
Trump's Former Counterterrorism Chief Joe Kent Was Reportedly Being Investigated by FBI When He Resigned with Fiery Letter
Kent wrote in his resignation letter that he could not support a war with Iran that "serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives."
Ex-counterterrorism official says he wasn't allowed to share concerns about Iran war with Trump
The New York Times: Trump Is Hiding the Truth About the War in Iran. Whatever short-term gain the president thinks he is getting by lying about the war in Iran is far exceeded by the cost, for him, the country and the world. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/
Forget about Mt. Rushmore, forget Greenland, forget the Nobel, Donald Trump will be lucky to avoid impreachment.
Robert Mueller, former FBI director who investigated Trump, dies at 81; president says he's 'glad he's dead'
Under Trump, legal immigration to U.S. is falling from most countries
Tourism from abroad is also down. Who would even want to come here?
As for Iran, patrotism there seems to be growing by the day.
Hegseth’s eye-popping $200 billion ask for Iran war sparks outcry from Democrats
The war was launched in secret without Congressional approval as required by law. Trump, Hegseth, and Netanyahu deliberately started this war by attacking Iran for no good reason, just to keep Bibi out of prison, to divert attention from Hegseth's war crimes, and to devastate a rival country.
Israel is using the war as an excuse to try to pulverize Iran and kill lots of people there, including many civilians--even children--relying on US military support and money, not stopping now even if Trump may want to do so. A very befudddled Trump is easily manipulated by Netanyhau, who speaks American English, making him seem just like "one of us."
Netanyahu now says there must be a "ground component" to the Iran war. He's talking about American, not Israeli, troops going in there. Shades of Vietnam, and we all know how that turned out! US allies are not going to help out, not even allowing now for bases on their own soil.
It's high time for Trump to retire now and leave Vance in charge. Could Vance possibly be this stupid? I may come to regret even asking that question.
Israel's Democrat Party leader, Yair Golan, accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for the prime minister’s own political interests to push off elections. Golan said that “Netanyahu has turned national security into a tool for his political survival; this is why we have been in a war that does not end for two and a half years.”
NBC News, In a twist of wartime irony, the United States has moved to ease sanctions on Iranian oil to cool surging energy prices, a potential boon for Tehran as Washington scrambles to contain the economic shockwaves of its military campaign.
And if this unprovoked US attack on Iran is creating new hardships for us here, just image what it's doing there for Iranians.
Iranians don't seem ready to surrender in a war they never started to begin with.
NY Post
Iran executes 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, two others in horrific public hangings
These young men were accused of killing police officers.
Palestinian man says Israeli settlers sexually assaulted him in front of his family
Israeli settlers smash cars and set fires in the West Bank as 4 Palestinians killed in Gaza
My friends in Spain say protests against US Iran policy are growing there.
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CUBA
Trump brags that he can now easily "take Cuba." He has suggested he could do "whatever I want" with Cuba. The island certainly is vulnerable.
Russia is not going to defend Cuba now, but we don't know what Donald Trump might want to do there. (Maybe Trump is not so sure either.)
Cuban women have started beating on pots and pans to signal their discontent over blackouts and the scarcity of everything.
A long-time friend who, like me, was expelled from Cuba years ago, now says:
Trump's foreign policy (including policy toward Cuba) is in a state of total confusion. I am opposed to overthrowing the current regime, although I support openly announced aid for civil society groups who are enduring repression.The Cuban people need to assume responsibility for the government of their own country. The civic lethargy of the majority of Cubans has been a disappointment, but the Cuban people are responsible for creating their own future.
The problem, as I've told him, is that the Cuban people have no experience with taking responsibility for their own government, as they have never been allowed to do that.
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Dolores Huerta’s civil rights legacy was inextricably linked with Cesar Chavez. Then she accused him of abuse
Yes, I once knew Dolores Huerta, now age 95, and sometimes spoke with her in Spanish when she was pregnant and sleeping on our living couch in Sacramento, California, That was many years ago while she was lobbying at the state legislature. I'm pretty sure she would remember me now. At that time, we all revered Cesar Chavez and I even joined on some of his marches.
Hawaii dam at risk of ‘imminent’ failure as catastrophic flash flooding hits Oahu
I do worry about my family on Oahu.
Here is part of a message I've sent to my daughter living in Hawaii:
I am very distressed now about the actions of the Trump administration, especially starting a war with Iran by assassinating the Ayatolla, apparently at the urging of Bibi Netanyahu, who had wanted to get out of a legal jam. The price of gas and everything else has been going up steadily as a result, probably even worse where you are. Trump, Hegseth, and Netanyu are a trio of idiots, also are war criminals. I think many folks are now beginning to regret their Trump vote. Help Wanted signs are posted everywhere, even here, because Trump and Hegseth have been deporting all the folks who did those jobs for us,
"Soraya still hopes she will see you walk through the door."
Unfortunately, my passort has now expired and I am no longer working, So I don't know that I can still afford to return to Honduras, especially when I'm expected to always bring a new wheelchair and make financial gifts there.
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This notice for a local singles' meet-up, looks a little too vigorous for me now at age 88.
And here's another tasty dish invented by friend Susan back in DC, which she calls: "Mexican Quiche",.
OK, folks, see you again soon.
