Trump and the Rule of Law

The rule of law in America was trashed by the justice system to allow Trump back into power, and now is being trashed by Trump himself on several fronts, to consolidate power in the executive branch, enrich himself and his cronies, and exact revenge on his enemies. Much of America’s success is based on having … Continue reading Trump and the Rule of Law →

Quantico Confessional

Here’s my thoughts on the 30 Sep 2025 commander’s call for senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Initially, SECDEF Hegseth called the meeting for himself only to address the military leaders, but when President Trump got wind of it, he naturally inserted himself in as the final speaker, because, you know, Don loves … Continue reading Quantico Confessional →

Authoritarian Trump and the Decline of American Democracy

I asked ChatGPT: What aspects of the current Trump administration are similar to authoritarian regimes around the world and in history? Here's the answer (welcome to the decline of freedom and democracy in America): Here are several key authoritarian-oriented traits and behaviors exhibited by the current Trump administration—and how they echo patterns seen in authoritarian … Continue reading Authoritarian Trump and the Decline of American Democracy →

Russia’s Kidnapping of Ukrainian Children—and America’s Alarming Disinterest

Since Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has forcibly removed tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied regions—actions widely condemned as war crimes. These children, removed from orphanages, foster care systems, and even their own families in areas like Mariupol, Kherson, Donbas, and other occupied territories, have been transported to locations … Continue reading Russia’s Kidnapping of Ukrainian Children—and America’s Alarming Disinterest →

Birds of a Fascist Feather: Evangelical Movements and Authoritarian Backlash in the US and Brazil

Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his election defeat, stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in the capital a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in January 2023. Thousands of demonstrators bypassed security barricades, climbed on roofs, smashed windows … Continue reading Birds of a Fascist Feather: Evangelical Movements and Authoritarian Backlash in the US and Brazil →

Ukraine Threw Down An ACE

2 June 2025, satellite image of the Russian Belaya airbase in Irkutsk region. In addition to the four damaged/destroyed Tu-95 bombers shown here, an additional four Tu-22M3 bombers (in hangars) and one An-12 transport aircraft were destroyed at this airbase. Belaya is one of five bases targeted in this operation. “You have no cards” Trump told Zelensky … Continue reading Ukraine Threw Down An ACE →

Oval Office Ambush, Again

"These are all white farmers that are being buried," said Trump, confronting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a contentious Oval Office meeting on May 21, 2025.In fact, the picture was pulled from a Reuter's video of war-torn Congo, and published by Reuters on February 3. Look out world leadersIf you’re coming to D.C.Might get … Continue reading Oval Office Ambush, Again →

“Victory Day” for Donald Trump

I agree with David’s Frum’s assessment of Donald’s post:“That post is such a perfect crystallization of the Trump style – bombast and boast, all of it making Trump himself the center of a story that he had nothing whatsoever to do with.” Donald must look with envy at Russia’s Red Square parade held every year, … Continue reading “Victory Day” for Donald Trump →

Trump National Security Team — Incompetence and Arrogance

Above is first screen shot info from Signal chat group, as identified by Jeffrey Goldberg, from the Atlantic article. Above is second Signal chat screenshot, as reported by Jeffrey Goldberg As a long-time military planner and operator, I’m appalled by revelations that any government official was using the commercial chat app Signal to communicate deliberations … Continue reading Trump National Security Team — Incompetence and Arrogance →

A Matter of Trust: Portugal Won’t Buy US F-35s

File photo of an F-35A (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sam King) Portugal recently indicated it would likely not be ordering US-made F-35 fighters to replace its aging F-16 fleet. In an interview with Portuguese media outlet Público published on Mar. 13, 2025, Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo dismissed the possibility of ordering the F-35, … Continue reading A Matter of Trust: Portugal Won’t Buy US F-35s →