Whew! As much as I enjoy writing the blog and getting comments from friends all around the world, posting it is becoming really quite difficult. Various odd quirks arise spontaneously, totally beyond my control, often with no easy remedy. Thus, dear readers, many thanks for your understanding. But when all is said and done, posting here is free, so really no serious complaints. Yet if the oddities become too extreme and start interfering with communication, I just may have to tell folks that the blog will be shutting down. If that should happen, I do hope that you all will still keep in touch, as I really love hearing from you.
A reader in DC says, "Looks like Trump is working to put the DC police force under his thumb - another scary move. DC police provided critical support for the Capitol police in trying to control the assault on the Capitol when Biden was elected."
Another DC reader observes: "trump has a coterie of folks that amplify his craziness, magnifying whatever trump says is the new new thing; very shameful."
A friend in Virginia sent a long message posted here in full: I try to stay current with what is going on in the world without watching the news cast. I get upset with most of the Trump propaganda. Having devoted a couple of years to helping democratize Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, I set out to watch the news conference on the signing of the Azerbaijan/Armenia agreement. I turned it off when Trump started lauding himself on the great accomplishment and asking the two leaders to recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The only reason Armenia came to the peace table now is that Azerbaijan is no longer pro Russia, especially on the Trans Caspian gas pipeline. Trump got into the process after everything was accomplished. Johnny Come Lately jumped to the front of the line, like he always does. I read this morning that Melania is suing Hunter Biden over comments he made about her relationship with Epstein. I guess his comments got too close to home for her. Members of those two families should stop acting like kids in the sand box.
I’m interested in seeing how Putin outsmarts Trump again on Ukraine. Trump’s knowledge of the history of that region makes it easy for Putin to do something flattering for Trump. Then Trump gets all school girlish and forgets what his position on the Putin INVASION of Ukraine should be. Whoever thought it would come to this?
I’m wondering if you sold your house. That whole mess with the national Guard providing security in DC might be negative for prospective buyers.
A point! Miami and DC’s metro areas are both about 6.3 million. The Miami metro area’s crime rates (which includes Palm Beach) in almost all categories are worse than DC’s. After all, DC’s are the best in 30 years. Maybe Trump should send the guard to Miami.
Another reader sent this link: "Scott Jennings Stunned Into Silence by Brutal Trump Receipts" https://www.thedailybeast.com/
So many thanks for all your messages my dear readers!
It looks like I won't be able to avoid commenting on Donald Trump and his antics, because that man constantly calls attention to himself. I'm also sorry to say that Trump has found some support even within my own family.
Wash. Post, Trump’s answer to numbers he doesn’t like: Change them or throw them away
NY Times, Show of Force Begins to Take Shape as Guard Troops Deploy in D.C.
President Trump has deployed some 800 Guard members and 500 federal agents to DC to fight crime, even as official figures show a sharp drop. Will having these forces on the street actually reduce crime even further?
The Hill, DC police to assist federal immigration agents https://thehill.com/homenews/
This military-style takeover certainly looks like the manifestation of a police state. Taxpayers, you and I are paying for all this.
After D.C., Trump says he might use the National Guard to ‘take back’ other cities. Can he actually do that?
Donald Trump cited Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland as “other cities also that are bad, very bad.” (What exactly makes them "bad"? Because Democrats are in charge there? ) But Mr. Trump would have even more trouble taking over cities other than DC, which already is proving to be quite challenging. Thus the answer to the question of whether he can actually do that must be a resounding "no!" Even his attempts to do so would only strengthen the already substantial resistance against him in so many parts of the country.
Trump is now considered by many citizens to be the enemy within. And no matter how hard he tries, the Donald, although currently our president, is never going to win over a majority of American voters. Actually, he has never done so, the only president to ever take office and to continue in office without ever having won majority support from citizens at any time. He only has won election to due to quirks in our electoral college system. Trump's family has already abandoned him to continue their private lives without him. His wife and children are no longer appearing at his side. Is anyone else in his family actually living with Trump at the White House? None have been seen there lately. Nor are any family members joining him now in his travels. And his voter support, quite shaky to begin with, only keeps sliding downhill.
Nonetheless, Trump continues to give out executive orders right and left. He has already directed members of his administration to purge disloyal and redundant employees.
"Kari Lake Is Hellbent on Deporting Her Own Employees" https://www.thedailybeast.com/
“Their time here is up,” Lake said of J-1 visa holders who worked for Voice of America.
Mr. Trump has also issued an order called “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” directing attorney Lindsey Halligan and Vice President JD Vance to remove “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution, including from museums, education and research centers, and even the National Zoo. Maybe male penguin pairs that sit on eggs together and tend to young hatchlings will be banished?
Washington DC | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/
Trump says he’ll seek ‘long-term’ control of DC police and signals targeting other cities next. |
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump has no credibility in the law and order space.
“The crime scene in D.C. most damaging to everyday Americans is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,” Jeffries posted, referencing the address of the White House.
“The crime scene in D.C. most damaging to everyday Americans is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,” Jeffries posted, referencing the address of the White House.
‘Severe’ staff shortages at US veterans’ hospitals, watchdog finds | Trump administration
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/
Staff shortages through out the American economy can be attributed to not having enough working age folks due to the low birthrate and severe immigration curbs. The US birthrate has not picked up, often because many Americans say they never got around to having kids and then it was too late. But the low birthrate coupled with Trump's immigration curbs, is making it hard to find enough folks to do the jobs that need to get done.
The Global Statistics
The total number of births in the United States showed a welcome reversal in 2024, with 3,622,673 babies born compared to 3,596,017 in 2023. This 1% increase represents approximately 26,656 additional births, marking the first positive growth after consecutive years of decline. The 2023 data had shown a concerning 2% drop from 2022’s 3,667,758 births, making 2024’s modest recovery particularly significant for demographic analysts and policymakers.
Despite this positive trend, the birth rate per 1,000 population remains relatively low at 10.9 in 2024, only marginally higher than 2023’s 10.8 but still below 2022’s 11.0 rate. This indicates that while absolute numbers have increased, the proportion of births relative to the total population remains constrained. The slight uptick suggests that factors such as improved economic conditions, pandemic recovery, or changing family planning decisions may be beginning to influence fertility patterns, though demographers remain cautious about declaring a long-term trend reversal.
The stock market is not doing great either.
Stock market gets 'kick in the pants' from startling inflation report.
Price increases may spell bad news for stocks
The Guardian, Small US towns cancel fairs celebrating Latino culture: ‘climate of fear is real’ Rural communities are seeing a key aspect of life affected amid Trump’s immigration crackdown and Ice raids.
Daily Beast, Staff Mutiny Forces Pub to Turn Away JD Vance NO ROOM AT THE INN
The vice president had reportedly attempted to dine at The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, weeks after the venue had hosted Kamala Harris.
Daily Beast, Trump, 79, Sparks Dementia Concerns With Weird Cold War Comment
Wash. Post, Israel must give U.N. full access to Gaza to halt starvation, allies say
Israel, a nation established to save a specific ethnic/religious group, must avoid being complicit in the starvation deaths of another identified group of civilians of all ages.
The US could exert positive leverage over Israel's leadership by threatening to cut off or reduce aid, if Trump only would actually decide to do that.
This posting is proving quite problematic, so needs be posted now before it gets any worse. I'll start over fresh tomorrow.
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