Kristi Noem Falls and Markwayne Mullin, the Plumber Cometh

Yesterday there were some reports that the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem honestly didn't know she was going to be fired by President Donald Trump. If they are true, Ms. Noem just proved herself just as stupid as she was cruel and corrupt. The rumor she would be cut loose had been in the mill for several weeks. Even if she didn't believe them, she should have figured it out after Senators, Thom Tillis and John Kennedy, both republicans, ripped into her during a hearing earlier this week. Tillis, even raked her over the coals for shooting her dog years ago--an ugly story that probably got her the job in the first place. Hell, one can almost hear Stephen Miller telling Trump, "She shot her own fucking dog, Mr. President, just think what she will do to immigrants."

In reality it wasn't her ICE, "surges," in places like LA, Chicago, and even the deadly invasion of Minneapolis, although that particular display of brute sadism was a major PR disaster. It wasn't even her ignoring court orders left and right. No, what finally got Kristi Noem appears to be, first, her failure to build all those ICE prison camps Miller wants. Second, the multimillion dollar ad campaign which not only promoted herself but made a few close friends scads of cash. Unfortunately, the former secretary just learned that sort of blatant, ego stroking, corruption is still reserved for the President and the President alone.  Then third, there is that private jet her department bought. It's outfitted with luxury accommodations so posh even Jeffrey-by God-Epstein would be jealous. When Ms. Noem insisted the jet would be used to deport illegal immigrants, one wag noted, "Well I suppose some of them could sit at the bar."

Mere minutes after he canned Noem, Donald Trump appointed Oklahoma's junior Senator, Markwayne Mullin to the job. He is currently the only U.S. Senator without a four-year college degree. He dropped out of a Missouri college in order to take over his dad's plumbing business. He does, however, hold an associate's degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Or as it's known to old timers, Okmulgee Tech.

One supposes an associate's degree in construction technology could be of some help when it comes to building those camps or even finishing off Trump's long forgotten border wall. However, the appointment does not address the main reason for Noem's failure to come through on the camp building. From sea to shining sea communities all across the republic have been refusing to sell her the land, or old warehouse spaces to build them. Indeed, Noem's tactics--while apparently fine with Miller--has flipped public opinion to the point no one wants to be associated in any way with the administration's final solution to the immigrant question.

Mullin doesn't have any practical experience in immigration matters, or Emergency Management, and he doesn't have any history in law enforcement. His main claim to fame during his short stay in the Senate was challenging Teamster's head, Sean O'Brien to fist fight during a committee hearing. After O'Brien accepted, Mullin rose from his seat and told the union leader to, "Get your butt up." Vermont's Bernie Saunders told him to sit down and admonished him by saying, "You're a United States Senator for God's sake." 

No one is sure what the outcome of the fight would have been, but the odds probably favored Mullin. He is a former high school wrestling star--the pride of Stillwell High's wrestling room--who had briefly dabbled in Mixed Martial Arts fighting.  

Who knows? Maybe it was the confrontation with O'Brien that convinced Miller, Mullin was the man for the job.  Well, that and the fact the Jr. Senator from Oklahoma is a MAGA savant with a taste for violence and excuses. After an ICE agent shot at Renee Good multiple times, killing her as she tried to get away from him, Mullin explained to the media, once law enforcement officials draw their weapons, "They never shoot just once." How he learned this is unclear. Perhaps he is a student of intense police dramas like, Sylvester Stallone's, "Judge Dredd."  

Mullin now has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. His first stop there will be a committee chaired by Kentucky's Rand Paul, a man the Secretary Designate recently described as a, "snake." 

Of course, diplomacy is not part of Homeland Security's job, so it sounds like Mullin will fit right in. Some have speculated Trump picked Markwayne Mullin because while he will be just as savage as Noem when it comes to immigrants, he is less prone to self-promotion and torrid romantic affairs with federal employees. As one analyst put it yesterday, the hiring of Mullin to head Homeland Security is like, "Hiring an arsonist to enter a burning building." 

As for Kristi Noem? Yesterday, Donald Trump named her as, "The Special Envoy for the Sheild of the Americas." It is a title made up just for her. (One observer said, "Trump probably thought of it right after he saw the last, "Avengers," movie.") It is being reported the position was created in order to provide Noem with a salary and government benefits, guaranteeing she won't run out to sell a tell-all book about her time in the administration. 

Yes, rest easy America. Kristi Noem is gone. Your national security and federal emergency assistance has now been entrusted to former House Representative, Senator, and CEO of Mullin Plumbing--Oklahoma's own, Markwayne Mullin. 

Sleep well tonight.

3-6-26 

Making a Killing on All the Killing

 When Donald Trump showed up on TV early Saturday morning to announce the United States and Israel had gone to war against Iran. Most were shocked. One presumes especially in Iran where the bombs were already raining down. Members of congress, those precious few who still believe in the U.S. Constitution were quick to point out the President, on paper anyway, has to have congressional approval before he, or she, can start a, "war," with anyone, anywhere. Apparently, these poor idealistic souls still don't realize Donald trump doesn't give a flying fuck what the Constitution says. He's never even read the thing for God's sake.      

Others with a more conspiratorial bent found the timing a tad suspicious. It came just hours after Hillary and Bill Clinton were grilled by a Congressional committee about their connections to Jeffrey Epstein. When the committee came up with zilch, the calls for Donald Trump to also be deposed under oath about his involvement in the ugly affair reached a fever pitch. Then, suddenly, all hell broke loose in the skies over Tehran. Was it a mere coincidence, or another deadly Trump distraction taken to the extreme?

While not totally dismissing paranoia--in certain towns the next guy kicking in your door probably does work for Kristi Noem--the attack on Iran looks to have been in the planning stages for a while. In all likelihood the trip wire was hit when the negotiations with the Iranians ended in Geneva, not by the Clintons walking away clean in some snowy New York village. In fact, the very presence of the Israelis guarantees intricate planning. Unlike the U.S. they don't go charging into these things like a wild eyed, brashly overconfident, George Armstrong Custer. They simply can't afford to. 

However, despite the surprise and the secrecy involved ((another Israeli necessity) there are now indications there were few people out there who absolutely knew the attack was coming. We aren't talking about astute political analysts, or even psychic mystics and prophets. We are talking about high rolling gamblers of unknown origin.

For those out there who aren't up with the world of online wagering, there are sites out there like, Kalshi and Polymarket which are somewhat euphemistically called, "prediction markets." In other words, you establish an anonymous account with them, then bet a large sum of money that something--anything really--will happen, be it bad, or good. The odds depend on how outlandish the prediction is determined to be. They payoff, like, the wager, is made to that anonymous account. 

The Independent reports the first hint that a high-level fix might be in on some bets came in January of this year. According to the story, that month, an individual with a, "fairly new," account bet $36,000 that Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro would be ousted. Literally a few hours later, Trump sent in the troops and wham bam, Maduro and his wife were sitting in a a New York detention center. The payoff was $436,000. 

It was, perhaps a test run for what was to happen this past weekend. 

Prior to Trump's surprise announcement of war with Iran, The Independent claims, Kalshi received $36 million in bets, "related to whether or not there would be a regime change in Iran." In the hours leading up to the attacks, Polymarket booked $31 million in bets that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei wouldn't be in power after March 31st this year.  

That's right. There are a select few who just made a killing on all the killing. 

It's unknown who operates these sites, or whether they will honor the contracts (the wagers are technically contracts) or, given the circumstances, declare the transactions invalid. One thing is certain though. If someone tried to collect on a blatantly rigged bet like this in Vegas, the only thing they'd cash in on is a one-way trip deep into the Mojave Desert. 

Yes, in the 21st century you no longer need to own a factory to become a war profiteer. All you need is an online bookie and a little inside dope about who is getting hit and when. It might be disgusting, but it is perfectly legal. 

Who says America isn't great?

3-2-26

Donald Trump Being the Same Crazy as He Ever Was for Nearly Two Hours

 Last night the President of the United States gave a speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation as a whole. . It is an annual affair, known as the State of the Union Speech. The tradition began with the nation's first President, George Washington. Washington's first state of the union address was reportedly 900 words long. It's unknown at this time how many words Donald Trump's speech was, but it had to have been a bunch because it took him one hour and 48 minutes to deliver them. That's a mere one hour and 40 minutes longer than it took Franklin Roosevelt to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. 

 Of course, Roosevelt had a distinct advantage on December 8th, 1941. He didn't have to tell any lies, shade the truth, or introduce the U.S. men's ice hockey team. 

 The truth is, Donald Trump's State of the Union speech was, in large part, mind numbingly boring. He lies so often about so many things some, including myself, no longer have the capacity for outrage any longer.  They are like that stiff northern wind during Oklahoma winters. It's a pain, but it is a part of life you have to put up with. In the end all you can do is hunker down and pray for spring. Or in this case, hope to God, people will realize Donald Trump is lying out his ass when he tells them they are paying less than $2.36 per gallon--because they aren't. It says so right on the fucking pump.

One of the more interesting parts of the evening began before Trump even showed up. A chunk of the democrats had the good sense not to show up, so there were a bunch of empty seats on their side of the aisle. A number of republican lawmakers took some of those seats which gave the visual illusion a good sized portion of democrats whole heartedly agreed with Trump, no matter what he said. 

The other, was his use of guests in the gallery. He brought in some victims of violent crime, then after detailed, gore filled, descriptions of what happened to them had them rise. He also handed out three combat medals--blood-soaked details of their accomplishment's included--including two Medals of Honor. One can't help suspect it was all designed to force the democrats to their feet. I mean, who doesn't applaud a guy receiving the Medal of Honor, even if it was for action in the Korean War 75 years ago. For those who wonder about such things, yes, everyone involved with the introductions were white, especially the hockey team and the victims of the crimes were white women who were assaulted by men who are not.

There was one group in the chamber last night, Donald Trump didn't speak about at all. Some of the victims of his old pal, Jeffrey Epstein were there. The President studiously ignored them and the subject. Just as he ignored the three U.S. citizens murdered by Homeland Security personnel as they exercised the right to demonstrate. He also glossed over the war in Ukraine he was going to stop in a day. All he said of it was the United States was now getting paid for the weapons it is providing NATO, which then funnels them to Ukraine. 

While as near as I could tell, Trump defied the odds and stayed on script. Although a couple of times that raging ego got the better of him. First was when he declared, "I don't need Congress to levy tariffs." (Really? Obviously, the man hasn't read the Supreme Court's recent ruling, or the Constitution.) The second time was when he said, "I won't allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons." (Notice he didn't say we, or the United States, it was I and I alone. Mighty imperial of you, Mr. President.)

Still, one supposes the ego is the least we have to deal with when Donald Trump tells us the only way democrats can win an election is by cheating. One of the few firm proposals he made during the speech was for Congress to pass the toughest voter restrictions since the, "grandfather clauses." (You had to prove your ancestors voted before 1867 or face nearly impossible polling place tests--a tough nut to crack if all your ancestors were slaves.) 

At about the same time he talked about the SAVE act (it's already passed in the House.) Brother Don casually mentioned last night's State of the Union should be the first of his third term, not the first of his second. That despite there is still, six years after the fact, not one piece of evidence large scale voter fraud took place anywhere in the nation during the 2020 election.  He and his people keep promising they'll produce it soon, but they haven't yet. 

But hey, you know what Adolf's buddy, Joe Goebbels said once, "If you repeat the lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself."

Late last week a friend told me I should skip Trump's address and watch the progressive, People's State of the Union rally held simultaneously on the mall in Washington last night. I decided not to. I wanted to see if Donald J. Trump would completely jump the rails on national TV. (I'm so jaded, these days it takes the truly weird and monstrous to impress me.) Sadly, Donald Trump didn't go off those rails last night. Oh, he was a liar, ambitiously seeking authoritarian rule, not to mention insufferably self-congratulatory, but it wasn't anything we all hadn't heard, or seen before. 

In short, he was--to alter a lyric--the same crazy as he ever was. The same crazy as he ever was. Over and over again and again for nearly two endless hours. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is most definitely open.

2-25-26 

Jeffrey Epstein's Primary Business Client: The King of Women's Underwear

 Leslie Herbert Wexner has been called the richest man in Ohio. He is also pretty much a self-made made man. His parents owned a clothing store where he worked. After a college he and his father had a falling out over the store's business practices so he moved on opening his own store. thanks to a $5,000 loan from a relative added to another $5,000 loan from a bank. 

The business boomed and soon Les, as he is called, began expanding the scope of his enterprise while amassing mountains of money. He became a major player in Bath & Body Works, Lane Bryant, Victoria's Secret, Abacrombie & Finch, and La Sanza. Most of them, of course, cater to women which is fine, although given what we know about the guy Les Wexner was associated with for years, it now feels a tad creepy.

According to Wikipedia, Wexner hired Jeffrey Epstein to be his financial manager in 1987. From then until 2007 the women's underwear king remained Epstein's primary client. In July of 1991 the billionaire granted Epstein the power of attorney. The same year Wexner named Epstein as a trustee on the board of the Wexner Foundation. Later in the decade he sold Epstein his huge Manhattan town home located on the upper east side. That would be the same home where Epstein put a massage table in the middle of the living room. 

Then things turned darker. In the mid 1990s, Wexner and Epstein, with help from a federal subsidy, were involved with moving the headquarters of Southern Air Transport from Miami to Columbus, OH. It turns out, Southern Air Transport was a CIA cover operation which was involved in the Iran-Contra mess. Wexner began using it to transport his goods. At least until 1996 when customs agents found a load of cocaine on one of the planes. Less than two years later the outfit was shutdown. 

All of which gives us a hint about why the feds, under numerous President's, weren't really interested in digging through Epstein's business dealings or making them public.  

Because they didn't actually own or operate Southern Air Transport both Wexner and Epstein were able to walk away from the bust. Later, thanks to Epstein's horrifying libido there wouldn't be any walking away. 

Earlier this week Les Wexner was deposed for five plus hours by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. What he seemed to be saying is that Ohio's richest man is also one of its dumbest. According to Wexner, "As I look back on it, I was conned by the World Olympic, all-time con artist. As far as I as I was concerned, once we knew how bad he was, he was dead."

Oh really? Epstein's previous arrests for child sex trafficking, then his conviction and incarceration didn't tip you off first? It is a claim of ignorance so outlandish it ranks with Enron's Ken Lay, who initially told people he didn't know a thing about all the financial fraud because he was just the CEO.

Across the pond some famous names are taking the fall for their involvement with Jefferey Epstein. This week, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former Prince of the Realm, was arrested for his dealings with the guy. The charges had nothing to do with sexual misconduct, but concerned Andrew's handling of confidential British trade documents--as in he sent them straight to Epstein after he got copies while he was still Prince. (An act that smells suspiciously like a sextortion payoff.)  No matter the motive behind it, Andrew became the most senior member of a royal family to be arrested since King Charles I in 1646. (It was during the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell didn't have much of a sense of humor. While, Charles, who was a wildly self-indulgent, arrogant asshole didn't do himself any favors.)

There is a growing feeling, among a lot of Americans, no matter how casually Donald Trump denies it, that the U.S. government should begin holding some of our fabulously well-to do and powerful accountable also. Thanks to his history and now this nonsensical plea of ignorance, Les Wexner has now become the leading candidate to become the first domino. Even though there is no current evidence linking him to trafficking, or personally sexually abusing young girls, his money certainly helped pay for Epstein's monstrous behavior. Not to mention his lavish properties and lifestyle. 

Hey someone's head has to roll first--and we know it won't be Trump's, that guy gets away with everything--so it might as well be Les Wexner's.  

It's a great theory. Too bad it will never happen. At least not with this administration and DOJ. It's a snowball they really--I mean really--don't want to push down the hill.  

2-20-26

Todd Blanche's QAnon Fantasy Roster

 So many names. We all knew Jeffrey Epstein was well connected, but who would have guessed he hung out with Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin? Hell, according to the list just released by the DOJ, Epstein--who was nine years old at the time Marilyn Monroe took the early exit ramp--might have even hooked up with her. If so, he was a kid with big balls, even if they hadn't dropped yet.

Yes, it would seem U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in her never-ending campaign to put out the Epstein fire, has come up with a new tactic. It's obvious she told her current deputy, Trump's former personal lawyer, something along the lines of, "If they want names, give them fucking names." So, Todd Blanche put out a list of people not only found in Epstein's contact book but anywhere in the files. Even if the name was casually mentioned during a conversation in one of those millions of emails and memos it went on the list. Comedy Central host Jon Stewart found his name in the files. It was in an email where someone wrote, "You need to hire someone like Jon Stewart." 

Let's face it, while we know former Prince Andrew was involved in disgustingly criminal behavior, it is a stretch to believe his ex-sister-in-law, Princess Diana was too. Just like it is tough to imagine Queen Elizabeth II participating in any sort of twisted orgy, but her name is on the list also. 

In all the DOJ released 305 names who are now, as Blanche put it, "politically exposed." Many of them, like the late, Kurt Cobain had nothing to do with politics. Others like, Mike Huckabee and Nikki Haley do, but did they ever personally know Jeffrey Epstein? Did Tucker Carlson? (Ok I like to think he did, but that's just me.) 

Some TV types have given Blanche credit for including Donald Trump's name on the list, but how could he possibly not? Then answer to the question was Trump a friend of Epstein is a ship that sailed a long time ago. However, in this QAnon fantasy roster, the President's name is wedged between comedian Chris Tucker's and former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher's--rumored to have been called Madcap Maggie by her pals at London's notorious Hellfire Club.   

The surreal absurdity of this is straight out of Kafka. The whole aim of the list is to muddy the waters. In effect Bondi and her boy, Todd Blanche are saying, "Here is what we found, now you figure it out." The fact is she still violated a statute passed by congress and signed into law by the President of the United States. The law was clear. Release all the files by December 19, 2025. Her department missed the deadline by well over a month. The law also directed the DOJ to redact the names of the victims and precious little else. Bondi's DOJ failed to redact some victims' names but did redact the names of some criminal participants. The redactions were so extensive in some cases entire pages were blacked out. In addition, some files have still not been made public and according to her they will never be.

This list is the Attorney General trying to cover her ass for perpetrating those violations while redirecting attention elsewhere. In other words, "Look, Bruce Springsteen and Cher are in the files, go investigate them and leave Donald Trump alone." 

Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney, David Marus' offer is still dangling in the breeze. Maxwell--her dad's name is also on the list--is saying she will publicly exonerate both Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, but only after Trump grants her clemency. In some quarters this is known as a bribe, while others might call it blackmail. 

The feeling here is not even Trump is that stupid. The negative reaction to a slimy deal like that would be swift (no, not on the list) and overwhelming. It would, quite probably trigger a third impeachment. If he does in fact let Maxwell off the hook it will happen as he is being wheeled out of the White House on a gurney, mere minutes before shuffling off into the great beyond. 

We still don't know the full extent of Donald Trump's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. The odds are increasing that we will never know. However, what we do know is the man is desperate to keep it that way. So desperate, if you believe Lawrence O'Donnell, he is willing to invade Venezuela, Greenland and any place else just to keep us from thinking about it.

2-17-26

A Bridge Too Many

 In particular we look forward to the to the expeditious completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge which will serve as a vital economic link between our two countries.

Donald J Trump, President of the United States in 2017

Right! Full speed ahead on that brand new bridge over the Detroit River, linking Michigan and Ontario. After all, the United States and Canada will be friends forever. The two nations are separated by the longest military free border in the world. We make cars for each other. We have sports teams playing in the same professional leagues. We've been brothers and sisters in arms. Hell, we drink each other's whiskey and beer for God's sake. 

Well, at least we used to.

Then along came the second Donald Trump administration. Suddenly the shit he pulled the first time around feels like odd and simple-minded eccentricities compared to the full-blown insanity we are dealing with now.   

On Monday, Trump took to social media and wrote in part, "I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we've given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the fairness and respect that we deserve." In another part of the post, he wrote, "With what we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset." Trump also claimed there weren't any, "American products," used in the construction of the nearly completed project. Predictably, he blamed Barack Obama for that, making sure he included the former President's middle name, Hussein, in the line. 

Trump's latest Presidential message begs a couple of legitimate questions. First, why is he saying these things? Second, what the fuck is the crazy old bastard talking about in the first place?    

The answer to the first question is pure Trumpian. Up until now the only existing cross-river link connecting Detroit and Windsor, ONT has been the Ambassador Intentional Bridge. It is privately owned by the Moroun family of Michigan. Shortly before Donald Trump went onto social media, Matthew T. Moroun had a nice chat with Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick. (Yes, the same guy who, after years of claiming he met Jeffrey Epstein only once, admitted he later had lunch with him on Epstein's twisted version of Fantasy Island.) 

The subject of the meeting between Moroun and Lutnick hasn't been reported. The New York Times, however, has reported that afterward the Secretary hopped on the phone with his boss. That's when Trump went all anti-Gordie Howe International Bridge. 

Since the Moroun family is worth billions. A chunk of it comes from a couple of duty-free gas stations attached to their bridge. Therefore, we can assume a second bridge will cut into their profits. (The family has been opposed to the project from the beginning.)  Knowing our man Donald as we do, we can also assume he was made an offer he just didn't want to refuse. Besides, he is still mad at the Canadians for not wanting to become Americans. Not to mention they had the gall to start negotiating trade deals with the Chinese after Trump began slapping tariffs on everyone. 

Answering the second question is painfully simple. Not only is the President of the United States nuts and a pathological liar, but he thinks we are all idiots who either don't or can't read. We, the United States, haven't given the Canadians anything. They are paying to build the bridge all on their own. Both Canadian and American construction crews have been used to build it. American steel has been used in the construction. And--we already own half the damned thing. From the start the plan has been for Canada to recoup half the cost of the bridge through tolls. Once that happens all revenues will be shared equally by the two countries. 

Just in case all those unhinged lies in Trump's post didn't convince all of us he has gone, how shall we put it, one step beyond, he offered us this bit of further proof. While he was complaining about the possible Canadian trade deals with China, the President added this dire prophecy: "The first thing China will do is terminate ALL hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup." 

It is unclear at this moment which is more frightening--that we elected this demented old coot a second time, or that he has access to the nuclear launch codes. 

sic vita est

2-12-26

Seattle Kicks New England, Trump Rants, Bad Bunny Celebrates Culture, and the Fun-loving Uncle Does Karaoke

 The final score of last night's Super Bowl LX was Seattle 29-New England 13. The game was not as close as the final score indicates, or as entertaining. Unless, of course, you are a Seahawks' fan, in which case was a thing of absolute beauty. If you are a Patriot fan, not so much. New England's quarterback, Drake Maye was harassed and pounded all night by Seattle's defense. So much so, it looked like the Patriot's offensive line was purchased directly from Wile E. Coyote's gadget supplier, the Acme Corporation. 

Let's face it, when the game is 12-0 after three quarters and there hasn't been a touchdown scored, you know you're watching a contest only the hometown fans can love. 

Given the pace of the first half of this Super Bore, (a 9-0 Seattle lead) all eyes and ears turned to the MAGA manufactured controversy of the week--the official halftime show. It was headlined by singer and sometimes pro wrestler, Bad Bunny. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA's alternative, "All American Halftime Show," starred Kid Rock. Unfortunately, TPUSA's production, also featuring, Lee Brice, Gabby Barrett, and Brantley Gilbert, didn't make it onto either network, or cable TV. Plans to stream it on Elon Musk's social network, "X," also fell through. To see it, viewers had to go onto a couple of different TPUSA You Tube channels.

This morning organizers of the show claimed that the production drew over five million viewers. One of them, however, was not President Donald J. Trump. He was busy watching Bad Bunny. We know that because afterward he posted on social media, "The Super Bowl halftime show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst EVER!" 

Then the President told us why he thought it was, "the worst EVER." He also wrote, "It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn't represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. (Presumably Trump considers Kid Rock belting out a 27-year-old rock/rap number titled, Bawitdaba," which he was doing over on You Tube, representative of the American standard of creativity.) 

Mr. Trump went on to write, "No one understands a word this guy is saying (unless you're one of the 635 million people worldwide who speak Spanish) and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A. and all over the World. This Show is just a slap in the face to our Country..." Then he went on to cite how his economic policies are making the nation great again. Well, it wouldn't be a Trump rant if he didn't give himself credit for a bunch of make-believe shit, would it?         

The tirade ended with him writing, "There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a halftime show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media because they haven't got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD."  

While not knowing what the reviews, other than Trump's, are of Bad Bunny's performance--all I can personally say is, I liked it. Since I don't speak Spanish, I didn't understand the lyrics, but the production was lavish and enthusiastic. To me it felt like a celebration of history and culture as it exists with other cultures and traditions. The final words of it, displayed on a huge screen in the stadium, were, "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." 

Ah yes, now there is that slap to America's face if there ever was one.  

Turning Point's production, on the other hand, did attract a couple of reviews. The online publication, The List said, "Applaudingly in some folks' opinion nothing says, 'Super Bowl Halftime Show' like a 55-year-old Kid Rock seemingly lip syncing to a song from 1999 while wearing shorts and a fedora." 

In, "Variety," William Earl wrote, "Breaking it down with a big fedora and jean shorts, Kid Rock resembled someone's fun-loving uncle four drinks deep in a Tampa Karaoke bar." He described other acts as, "not ready for primetime." 

But hey, all reviews are subjective. It's just too bad these days, thanks to MAGA and its Grand Poohbah, Donald Trump, so is the truth.

2-9-26