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 

Benito Ocasio and Robert Richie Square Off at Super Bowl LX

 It's finally here, America. That's right. In this contentious age of political and social division, of the old saw, "You are either with us, or you are against us." An age in which the daily news is dominated by discord, accusations, increasing violence, and overt graft and corruption.  This is the one weekend we can all kick back together and celebrate not a religious observance, or even some idealized national hero. This weekend, Sunday specifically, we can all come together to feast and drink while enjoying the Super Bowl football game.

No politics, no arguments spinning out of control, just all of us as one, cheering oversized, really fast guys clad in 21st century armor as they run around knocking the living shit out of each other. All of it spiced throughout with ultra pricey ads we haven't seen endlessly--yet--and the type of rock 'em sock 'em half-time show we can dance together to.

Oh--wait.

As soon as the National Football League announced the musical acts for this year's Super Bowl the MAGA tribe, from top to bottom, began howling like gut shot wolves. Yes, the same people who were utterly outraged when the restaurant chain, Cracker Barrel changed their logo--they took out the bullwhip because these days, unless you are a nostalgic descendent of slave owners, or a BDSM enthusiast they are sort of out of fashion--declared the lineup was too, "woke."    

The presence of the group, Green Day was bad enough. However, what really stoked their apoplexy    was the announcement that, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, aka, Bad Bunny, would be the headliner. The guy is Puerto Rican, for God's sake. (Although the last time we checked, Puerto Ricans are American citizens.) Not only that, but most of his songs are in fucking Spanish. That's not American--even though it is estimated 45 million people in this country age five and older speak Spanish at home. 

The Grand Poohbah of all things MAGA, Donald Trump was so incensed he announced he wouldn't personally attend the game. Of course, knowing Trump, there could be other reasons for his non-attendance. Like maybe because the game is being played in a stadium located just outside of San Francisco where he is about as welcome as an invading Mongolian horde in Constantinople. Or perhaps it's even because the two teams playing, Seattle and New England, are based in states which haven't exactly embraced his peculiar brand of politics and ethnic, let's say, relocations. 

In response to Bad Bunny and Green Day, the MAGA faithful initially demanded they be replaced by good old Country and Western acts. It's a genre of music not usually associated with the Bay Area. Beyond that, while it isn't clear what the popularity of C&W is in Seattle, at least in the mid-1980s and early 1990s Boston was the single worst market for it in the nation. During that period of time not a single radio station in the metro, AM, or FM programmed Country and Western. 

Add it all together and the NFL found it pretty easy to respond, "no," to their demands. Besides, they've never liked Trump in the first place. So much so, years ago the owners who actually run the league, wouldn't let him on the action when he attempted to buy a franchise. (Let's face it, those guys run businesses. Even back then they knew he was more adept at running cons.) 

So, Turning Point USA came to the rescue. This year those far-right hot dogs have organized an, "Alternative half-time show." You know, kind of like Kellyanne Conway's, "alternative truth," regarding the attendance at Donald Trump's first inauguration. The headliner for Turning Point's show will be none other than, Robert James Richie, aka Kid Rock. Mr. Rock comes from a fabulously well to do family in Romeo, MI. His father owned multiple car dealerships, and he grew up on an estate which was large enough for an apple orchard and a barn to house the family's horses. Wikipedia notes that some time in the 1980s young Robert James became interested in Hip-hop music and began to score gigs as a breakdancer, rapper, and DJ.  

In short, Kid Rock became rich in his own right and famous by appropriating everything he isn't and never has been. No wonder he and Trump are such pals. 

In fact, such good pals it is practically guaranteed one sone he won't be singing is, "Cool Daddy Cool" most infamously featured in the soundtrack of the movie, "Osmosis Jones." In that little ditty, Kid Rock belts out the lyric, "Young ladies, young ladies, I like 'em underage. Some say that's statutory; bit I say it's mandatory." 

Indeed, it isn't exactly a line Donald Trump wants to hear right now. But hey, at least it wouldn't have been sung in Spanish.   

2-5-26

Tulsi Gabbard is Working Very Hard

She's working very hard on trying to keep the election safe. And she's done a very good job. And they, as you know, got into the votes, you got a signed judge's order in Georgia. And you're going to see some interesting things happening. They've been trying to get there for a long time.

Donald J. Trump speaking about the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard's presence at the Fulton County, GA election board along with the FBI.

There she is. After being conspicuously missing in action during the brief but violent adventure in Venezuela and the whole uproar over Greenland, Tulsi Gabbard has suddenly re-emerged--in Georgia. The Director of National Intelligence (These days an oxymoron if there ever was one.) is, as Trump puts it, working, "very hard," confiscating voting records from an election held six years ago. One supposes that in the interests of national intelligence she was and still is searching for those nearly 12,000 votes El Donald demanded republican election officials find for him in the days after that election.

Although, despite what MS NOW's Ali Velshi reported this past weekend, if those republicans had found the votes or more accurately manufactured them, as Trump wanted, it would not have changed the results of the 2020 presidential race. Joe Biden would have won with 287 electoral votes instead of 303.

That's right. Even if Gabbard comes up with that computer flash drive Rudy Giuliani was so convinced he saw Shaye Moss pass to Ruby Freeman the election remains a done deal. (Moss later told a congressional hearing it was a ginger mint. Later a jury believed her and awarded her and her mother $148 million--which Rootin Tootin Rudy is still on the hook for.) The fact is that Trump, with Georgia in his pocket on election night, still needed an additional 19 electoral votes to win.   

So, we might reasonably ask ourselves, what is Tulsi Gabbard actually trying to do in Georgia? The answer could be Trump simply wanted Gabbard, who leans toward isolationism, out of the way while he and his boys kidnapped the leader of a foreign nation then threatened to destroy NATO over what amounted to a psychotic vanity project. 

Or, could this be a dress rehearsal for what is planned immediately following the mid-term elections later this year? Along with the added benefit of gaining access to a lot of individual voter information. You know, home addresses, party affiliation, those sorts of things. It isn't happening in a vacuum. Various outlets have reported U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi recently called Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz and told him all of those ICE and Border Patrol thugs would be pulled out of his state if he allows the feds to inspect Minnesota's voter rolls and records. 

When you throw in the re-districting scams initiated by Trump and his legislative toadies in places like Texas, Missouri, and other locales it starts to make sense. The only GOP controlled state who has refused him so far is Indiana and Trump has threatened those legislators with everything from primary challengers to hints of prolonged naps with the fishes.  

Well, he has to do something doesn't he. All the signs point toward a massive defeat in November for our man in the White House and his merry band of muggers, hustlers, and midway barkers. This past weekend in bright red Texas democrats regained a vacant seat in the house, based on the old districting plan. Meanwhile in a Texas state senate election held in Ft. Worth, the republican candidate, Leigh Wambsganss was utterly destroyed by democrat, Taylor Rehmet.

Wambsganss, thanks primarily to Lt. Governor Dan Partrick, had raised scads and scads of campaign funds. Plus, despite what Donald Trump said afterward, the President had sent out three social media messages urging republicans to get out to vote for her. Rehmet won the district by 14 points. He was the first democrat to do so since the mid 1970's. In 2024 Trump carried it by 17 points. 

Oops.

It would seem all those rubes who actually believed Donald Trump when he said he'd fix their cost of living in a day have come to realize their needs and concerns aren't on his agenda. Indeed, a war over Greenland, a new White House ball room, and a proposed massive Arc de Trump in Washington D.C. wasn't what they were thinking about when they cast their ballots. 

Neither was forcibly snatching school children off the streets. They were, however, wondering how they were going to pay their rent, food, energy and medical bills. 

Yes, Trump might be fucking delusional, but those who depend on him for power aren't. This November and possibly during the primaries if you live in any blue state and select cities in red ones, you can count on regiments of ICE and Border Patrol agents intimidating voters at polling stations. Afterward, if things go the way they're headed right now, you can also count on the FBI and Tulsi Gabbard seizing the records--or as a cynic might say, proof--of election results from a lot more places than just Fulton County. 

After all, she is working very hard.

2-2-26

Lying About What We Don't See is One Thing; Lying About What We Do See is Another

On Sunday, after the execution of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Kash Patel, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, told an interviewer of FOX News, "you cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It's that simple. You don't have a right to break the law." 

The Minnesota Gun Owner's Caucus responded immediately by saying, "There is no prohibition on a permit holder carrying a firearm, loaded with multiple magazines at a protest or rally in Minnesota." '

After an online MAGA type complained Alex Pretti wasn't carrying the state required ID--a fact presumably discovered after his body was searched--the group responded by saying, "It's a $25 ticket." What they left unsaid, given what had happened the day before was, a $25 ticket is not equal to a Capital Crime punishable by a death sentence. Especially a death sentence carried out by an impromptu firing squad at the scene without the inconvenience of a trial. 

Yes, it looks as if the DHS and its policies have accomplished the unimaginable. Their KG B/Gestapo tactics and lame excuses have gone so far, they've managed to alienate at least one pro-gun lobbying organization. It is not a group usually associated with, "radical leftists."

Kristi Noem, Greg Bovino, Tom Homan, Kash Patel, and ultimately Donald Trump have only themselves to blame for the current unpopularity and outright distrust of all the various parts of the Department of Homeland Security. Lying about what is going on is one thing, however lying in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary is another. We all saw Alex Pretti holding a camera, not, as Noem initially said, "brandishing a gun." We watched as Renee Good tried to steer her vehicle around that agent, not over him. People are filming all this awful shit; don't any of you gruesome carnies get that? 

Apparently not. During a Sunday interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Bovino (who has the look and smell of Casablanca's Major Heinrich Strasser going for him) insisted Alex Pretti, while packing a firearm, was attempting to impede the arrest of a known criminal, illegal immigrant. He even hinted Pretti was trying to direct traffic so as to interfere with the arrest. Bovino claimed Pretti initially approached the Border Patrol officers, but the tape shows one of them approaching him while he was at a distance. Pretti only began to move toward them after they shoved a woman to the ground. The agents attacked him as he tried to reach her. After he went to the ground an agent sprayed him in the face with pepper spray, while another kicked him savagely in the back. 

During the middle of this one-sided dog pile a third agent reached in and pulled a gun out of the crush, then slid it away on the sidewalk. After Alex Pretti's legally owned and carried weapon was taken from him another agent yelled, "Gun, gun." That's when a now unarmed, ICU nurse at a veteran's hospital was shot at least ten times. A Doctor at the scene was initially denied access to Pretti so the agents could count the number of bullet holes in his body.

After his interview with Bash, Bovino told a press conference, "The suspect put himself in that situation. The victims are the border patrol agents there." He failed to explain why the "victims," removed all the evidence of the shooting afterward. 

Noem told the media, Alex Pretti was a would-be assassin who had come to the protests armed in order to commit a "massacre." Her sole piece of evidence backing up the accusation was that Pretti was carrying his legally permitted gun.  Then, along with others, including Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullins, and Trump himself, she blamed Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey for inciting violence and insurrection.  According to Mullins, "They both have blood on their hands."

This morning a retired U.S. Army general said that while ICE and the Border Patrol might be dressed as the military, "They conduct themselves like a poorly trained militia." He's giving them far too much credit. They conduct themselves exactly the way Stephen Miller and Trump want them to. Like a gang of outlaw bikers stoked up on cheap vodka and Nazi crank.  

1-26-26

Constitution? We Don't Need No Stinking Constitution and America Sleeps Easier as Adrian Arias and Babyface Liam are Busted

 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches an seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and, particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

Text of the fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

For those not up on their history, or U.S. law, the Constitution is the bedrock upon which all other federal and state laws must abide by. It cannot be changed or removed except by a fairly long and complicated legislative process, or by a nationwide vote of the people. 

What the fourth amendment boils down to is that in this country, unless a person is actively committing a crime, you must get a judge to issue a fucking warrant for probable cause before searching a suspect's home and other property or taking them into custody.  

Well, unless, of course, you are the current Department of Homeland Security and those wild and crazy folks at Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (ICE) At least that's what they believe. On May 12th, 2025 acting ICE head honcho, Todd Lyons sent out a memo, meant to stay secret, which stated ICE agents didn't need a judge to issue a warrant for anything, or anyone they search and seize. From that time on the agency could rely on what is known as an administrative warrant. It is a piece of paper written by, not a judge, but by ICE agents themselves.

 In other words, according to that memo, ICE agents are now allowed to give themselves permission to enter homes and drag people out of their cars whenever they want to. It is something the British were doing willy nilly 250 years ago. Their searches and seizures pissed off the colonists so much it became a major contributing cause to the American Revolution and later, the creation of--that's right--the fourth amendment of the Constitution.  

No wonder, Lyons wanted to keep it secret. 

It's unclear if ICE agents had given themselves written permission, or not on Tuesday of this week. That day, they hauled Adrian Arias from his running car after he pulled into his suburban Minneapolis home's driveway. (ICE claims he tried to flee after they approached him.) He had just returned from picking up his 5-year-old kid, Liam, from his pre-school class. 

That's when things became really weird. 

Five-year-old Liam was also, "detained," by federal agents. What actually happened depends on who you believe. According to witnesses, agents made the boy knock on the house's front door and ask to be let in as they stood next to him. Witnesses also say the child's mother, who is pregnant was inside, along with her 13-year-old. Thanks to agency's current reputation in the twin cities, friends urged her not to open the door. The feds were, they said, using her five-year-old as bait so they could snatch her too. These days, it is not an unreasonable assumption. A person who is said to also live at the house arrived in front of the place and told the agents he would watch Liam, but ICE guys steadfastly refused the request. They wanted to see the kid's terrified mom, or they'd take him with them.   

The ICE version varies some--which isn't surprising. First, they said Liam was abandoned by those inside the home. They claimed the people inside refused to open the door, even after they promised not to arrest them. (Imagine that.) According to Vice President J.D. Vance, who was in town that day, but not at the scene, to leave Liam there by himself was to let him freeze to death all alone. Then the story morphed into Liam's father demanded that the boy remain with him, no matter what. Whatever the case, Adrian Arias and his son were immediately, without legal representation, or even a phone call, shipped to an ICE detention center in Texas. 

According to Vance Liam's father was being arrested because he is in the country illegally. On Thursday, the family's immigration attorney told the media they had originally come from Ecuador. In December 2024 they met Border Patrol officials as they crossed into Texas and requested asylum. They were allowed to enter the United States legally and their asylum hearing and a decision on their status is still pending. To date, Adrian Arias has never been charged with or convicted of any crime in the state of Minnesota. The criminal record of his nefarious accomplice, Babyface Liam, is unknown.

Ah yes, the very definition of the worst of the worst--both of them. Now that they are off the streets, are you sleeping any easier America? Are you...great again?

1-23-26

Meanwhile, Back in Minneapolis

 Only federal officers are upholding the law. (in Minneapolis and perhaps St. Paul and the rest of Minnesota) Local and state police have been ordered to stand down and surrender 

Stephen Miller, Donald Trump's low rent Levrentiy Beria

In order to prove how much federal, "officers," are upholding the law, the other day ICE agents dragged a disabled woman who is a U.S. citizen named Aliya Rahman from the front seat of her car then hauled her away. The DHS immediately claimed Ms. Rahman was an agitator who was attempting to obstruct ICE agents who were simply performing their duties. You know, upholding the law. 

Aliya Rahman has a different story. She says she turned onto the street as she headed to a medical appointment. She found it blocked by the agents who approached her car shouting obscenity laced commands at her. She attempted to complain to them about her impending doctor's appointment and told them she needed to get through. By then, the ICE agents had surrounded her car and at least one was standing in front of it. Knowing what happens in Minneapolis when women try to get their vehicles around an armed ICE enforcer, Rahman told them she couldn't move.

A video of the incident shows one Ice agent smashing out her passenger side window. Then others physically dragged the crying and screaming woman out on the street where she was cuffed and taken to a local detention center. She wasn't allowed to bring her cane and later was denied medical treatment. She eventually passed out while in custody. 

Then we come to Chongly, "Scott," Thao. Scott is a 56 year old naturalized U.S. citizen of Hmong descent who immigrated to the United States from Laos when he was four years old. He took the oath of citizenship in 1991. That would mean he became a citizen before most of the clowns who dragged him out of his home were born. On Sunday Mr. Thao was at his house with various family members singing karaoke. ICE agents with weapons drawn busted through his door without warning, or a warrant, or at least one they were willing to show. They dragged Scott out of his place into the 14-degree F. weather while he was wearing nothing but a tee-shirt, boxer shorts, slippers, and a thin blanket he had been handed by his grandson. 

After hanging on to Mr. Thao for a while the ICE agents brought him back. They offered no apology or reason for his detention. The official ICE excuse for this NKVD type behavior was that Scott Thao was living with two accused child traffickers and that he, "looked like one of them." Well yeah. He is Asian and to the average ICE guy, all Asians look alike--not to mention Hispanics, Somalis, and anyone else who isn't Aryan in appearance. Scott's family told the media the grandfather has never known the two alleged illegal immigrant child traffickers, and they had never lived in his house. 

It looks like the whole thing was just a merry mix up. Hey, shit happens when you are upholding the law. Just ask the ghost of Renee Good. 

Speaking of which, in the case of Ms. Good, demands for an investigation into her execution aren't going anywhere. The DHS and DOJ say there is no reason for one. According to the DOJ that isn't the case with Good's wife, Becca, or Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey. Reports are the Justice Department has launched criminal investigations of all three. Rumors are the charges will include obstruction, or maybe instigating an insurrection, or perhaps, the most serious of all, they just won't shut up. These days all three options are on the table.    

While all this was going on the Washington Post reported 1,500 members of the American 11th Airborne have been alerted to stand by for possible deployment to Minnesota. The fighting 11th is based in Alaska and is specifically trained for cold weather warfare, something those 3,000 federal officers in Minnesota aren't. (Although, to be honest, right now, those deadly goofs don't look like they've been trained at all.)

MS NOW's Lawrence O'Donnell, the most unabashed Trump hater on any cable news network, claims the nightmare in Minneapolis and yes, the chest thumping, saber rattling over Greenland are both distractions. He maintains they are loud and elaborate ruses to keep the media and public from thinking about the Epstein files. 

Unless the wild and baseless accusation bounding around unsavory parts of the internet that the files contain proof Trump once gave Bill Clinton a blow job is true, that's a bit of a stretch. 

The thinking here is it's far more likely the President of the United States has simply gone bat shit crazy. Not only that, but since he managed to surround himself with a bunch of fascist Rasputin types, none of them are willing, or even want to reign him in. 

Donald J. Trump began his second term exactly one year ago today. It is now completely uncertain whether this nation, as a constitutional republic, can survive three more years of him.

1-20-26