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Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Burying the Hatchet?

 



Friends, we now have a ceasefire of sorts in place with the Islamic Republic of Iran.  Basically, the U.S. has agreed to stop bombing Iran for 14 days, and Iran has promised to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (apparently under their supervision and subject to the payment of tribute to them).  Meanwhile, Israel has agreed to nothing and will carry on bombing Iran all it likes.  It doesn't sound like much of a basis for "peace" to me, but it is a basis for continued negotiations, about which DJT is surprisingly optimistic.  We shall see.  I guess Persian "civilization" gets a two-week reprieve, so good for them!

 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116365796713313030 

 

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-2026-trump-deadline-latest-news?st=7o681D 

 

In other news, Marjorie Taylor Greene's successor will be...a Republican, and a much less crazy one than her (which admittedly is a low bar)!  This is good news.  We certainly don't need to be losing deep red districts to the dastardly Dems.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r40erdj6mo 

Monday, April 6, 2026

A Bridge Too Far?

 


Friends, we're now less than 24 hours from President Trump's deadline for Iran to accept a deal to end the war -- a deal that must include the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to traffic from all nations.  If Iran demurs, Trump has pledged to destroy all the country's bridges and power plants, rendering its military even more impotent and life for civilians close to unbearable.  Will Iran blink?  Will Trump back down?  Who can say...

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqj8ep9w1pno 

 

There's an important caveat, however: the Strait of Hormuz isn't really "closed", at least not as much as many people assume.  Quite a few ships are transiting the Strait, and quite a few countries have been promised safe passage by the Iranians.  Needless to say, the U.S. and Israel aren't targeting anyone's commercial vessels.  Even Iran is still exporting oil!  This renders a lot of the handwringing over the global oil market somewhat phony, mind you.  Prices are high, but they haven't skyrocketed, in part because the supply shortage isn't nearly as severe as it could be -- and perhaps will be, if Iran's civilian infrastucture is obliterated, and the mullahs take the gloves off and try to close the Strait completely.  If I had to bet, I'd wager that the Strait will be more open a month from now than it is today, but I could be wrong.  Stay tuned.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79jqx1xdy9o 

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Happy Easter, One and All!

 


Friends, here's hoping the "good news" of Easter (and every day, come to think of it) has reached your receptive ears, which may or may not be bunny ears -- I don't judge!

 

In other news, one U.S. serviceman got the best Easter present of all: he was rescued in the wilds of Iran by his brave comrades and thus won't be falling into the clutches of fanatical Islamists.  Hooray!

 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116351956955900185 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2vpz1kwreo 

Saturday, April 4, 2026

H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks!!

 


Friends, the United States and Iran are both threatening to unleash "hell" on one another, which, in the case of Iran, seems speculative at best, since they can't even deliver an explosive payload anywhere they aim at.  Missile fragments, maybe.  Be that as it may, the world thinks Iran is "winning", because the world hates Donald Trump so much that it's rooting for the theocratic loons instead -- and of course the global media tells them that, indeed, the U.S. is sinking ever deeper into a "quagmire".  Well, maybe at some point these talking heads, and the mullahs, will wake up and smell the coffee.  Alas, it probably won't be today.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y90jl8veyo 

 

In other news, the latest Newsmakers show is the usual tour de force of exquisite analysis.  Brian and I cover everything from A.I. to Western security arrangements.  Don't miss out!

 

https://wysl.podbean.com/e/newsmakers-4-4-26/ 

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Bondi Out, Zeldin In?

 


Friends, today President Trump fired Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General.  Apparently he is strongly considering EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a fellow New Yorker, as her replacement.  First, allow me to state the obvious: if Pam Bondi was the wrong person to lead the DOJ, then ultimately her selection reflects badly on the man who chose her...whomever that may be.  I really couldn't say.  Second, from my perspective, the second term of DJT is looking a little more like his first term each and every day, and that isn't a compliment.  Turnover is never a good thing.  It shows indecisiveness and its begets chaos.  Third, a lot of us New Yorkers think highly of Lee Zeldin, who came close to winning the governorship here, and it's hard to imagine, if we're to be honest, that he could do any worse than Pam Bondi has in holding the Dems' and leftists' feet to the fire, legally speaking.  Literally no one on the Left has been convicted of anything under Pam Bondi, which is, well, kind of an opportunity area for her successor.  So, while I am troubled by these developments, I'm also hopeful that ultimately the DOJ will perform better in the months and years ahead.  To be clear, the goal is not to weaponize the justice system to persecute our opponents.  The goal is to remind the Democrats that they too are subject to the law, which they could be forgiven for forgetting, since all of them have been treated like they have blanket immunity for any and all crimes under red and blue presidents alike.  It's high time, in short, that our criminal justice system started to work for the American people, and not just for the left-leaning establishment.  Those are my two cents.

 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pam-bondi-already-fired-attorney-general-cabinet-official-teed-up-replacement-sources#431 

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

In Scoring Position

 


Friends, President Trump tonight addressed the nation and attempted to justify and explain his campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran.  He did a passable job of it, I must say, but I do question why he's doing it now instead of at the outset of the conflict.  As I've said on numerous occasions, President Trump underutilizes the primetime address, which is a great way to end-run the mainstream media and talk directly to the American people.  Be that as it may, better a late defense of his administration's approach on Iran than none at all.  I naturally agree with almost everything he said.  The problem is that no one, except his most ardent supporters, will be listening.  Oh well.  The fact remains that, as per Trump's remarks, the attacks on Iran will continue until he feels that our objectives have been met -- and, once the campaign wraps up, America's political dynamics, as well as the stock market and oil prices, will be back to square one in short order.  In the meantime, the threat posed by Iran will have been massively reduced, and we will all benefit, for decades to come, from that achievement.  Thank heavens for that!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2026/04/01/watch-live-donald-trump-delivers-primetime-address-on-iran/ 

 

In other news, Trump is saying that the reluctance of our NATO allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz is causing him to doubt the wisdom of our membership in NATO.  I should hope so!!!  The Western Alliance, if we're to be honest, has been a one-way street since its inception, and our European "partners" are determined to keep it that way.  It's high time, in my humble opinion, that we went our separate ways and challenged the Europeans to provide for their own defense...and to go and secure their own oil, if it comes to that.  Unfortunately, I very much doubt that President Trump will have the courage of his convictions when it comes to NATO, given the establishment's unanimous devotion to it, but I would love to be proven wrong.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79je4vldq5o 

 

In yet other news, NASA's Artemis II mission, which involves the first manned flight to the Moon since 1972, is currently underway after a picture-perfect launch this evening.  Godspeed!  This is yet another powerful demonstration of America's world-beating technology and gumption, and I couldn't be more pleased and proud!

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cwydnrmggnno 

 

Finally, in a related development, Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has established its dominance in the space launch industry, is about to go public, which hopefully will mean even more exciting progress in space exploration and exploitation, and will almost certainly spell even greater wealth for Musk himself.  Assuming he contributes a healthy share of it to Republican candidates in 2026 and beyond, I say: well done, Elon!!!  Ad astra per aspera.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k35lg92dpo 

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

My Wish Has Been Granted!

 


Friends, just when you were sure you were living in "the best of times", they go and get even better!  For one thing, I asked for "more kings", and it turns out that Britain's King Charles III is about to arrive for a state visit.  Marvelous!  Will he shower DJT with titles, awards, and fawning praise?  I can only assume he will.  Might DJT crown himself emperor to mark the occasion and one-up his regal visitor?  Could be!  Let's cling to hope, shall we?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w3dpgjzj8o 

 

But there's more!!!  Eric Trump has unveiled plans for the Trump Presidential Library in Miami, which looks less like a library and more like an opulent futuristic skyscraper.  I know I would enjoy visiting it someday.  Of course, if the Dems have their way, after he leaves office Trump will be locked away in a Supermax prison, but that's only if they get their grubby mits on the White House again, and I trust my fellow Americans won't let that happen.  Well, I hope they won't!

 

https://x.com/EricTrump/status/2038773279788331022 

Sunday, March 29, 2026

More Kings, Please!

 


Friends, in the wake of the latest "No Kings" protests, only one conclusion is possible: a Trumpian monarchy would be infinitely preferable to any "democracy" that empowered the sort of people who attend No Kings rallies.  I jest (or do I?), but they were a sorry bunch.  Good natured, for the most part, but entirely captive to a series of delusions (of the sort spoon-fed to elderly white liberals on certain "news" networks that need not be named).  Ah well.  That's the American way: we're free to trumpet our ignorance to our hearts' content!  Luckily, these protests will have precisely zero impact on the governance of the country, although the midterms are a different story, and the sheer energy the Left is manifesting could be consequential there.

 

https://nypost.com/2026/03/28/us-news/no-kings-protests-turn-violent-as-unruly-mob-waving-palestinian-flags-hurl-cement-blocks-at-dhs-agents/ 

 

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/josephchalfant/2026/03/28/the-no-kings-protests-were-even-more-insane-than-you-wouldve-thought-n2673597 

 

In other news, President Trump is talking openly about limited special operations missions inside Iran, and about seizing control of Kharg Island, which would effectively give the U.S. control over Iran's oil exports.  Of course, arguably U.S. naval dominance already gives us control over, well, everyone's oil exports, to the extent that we choose to exercise said control.  The sooner the Iranians figure this out, the better!  Now, is all this talk of boots on the ground mere gamemanship that is designed to get the Iranians to concede more in negotiations?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  Quite possibly even Trump doesn't know the answer, as yet.

 

 https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c8jke9v9xv9t

 

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-middle-east-news-updates?st=4ZFkzJ 

Friday, March 27, 2026

Lèse-Majesté

 


Friends, if the legions of protestors tomorrow are to be believed (a big "if"), then our country has already achieved the pinacle of perfection: we've made the great and glorious Donald J. Trump our King-Emperor, and thus we've left democracy in our regal dust.  Oh, if only it were so!  The powers of President Trump seem all too limited, from what I can tell.  He doesn't even command respect, let alone obedience.  Be that as it may, I wish the lefties a pleasant day of kvetching, which is surely their favorite pastime. 

 

Meanwhile, President Trump is trying to solve problems created by Democrats, as per usual.  He's ordered that TSA agents should be paid, despite the partial government shutdown.  Can he do that?  Probably not, since liberal judges won't let him do anything, but I applaud him for making the effort!

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/03/27/no-kings-protest-trump-iran/89331992007/ 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33l4j03kr3o 

Gloomy Gus

 


Friends, don't get me wrong: DJT is always a ray of sunshine, but I, on the other hand, sometimes get despondent about our country's future, especially when I consider the political resilience of the Democrats, who ought to have been consigned to the dustbin of history a long, long time ago.  Well, they haven't been.  In fact, they're prospering, thanks to the, uhh, resilence of TDS!  And that's the subject of my latest article.

 

Democrats Think They're Winning – and, Sadly, They're Right!


There's no question that the ongoing U.S./Israeli campaign against Iran has opened some fissures in the conservative/MAGA movement, and that in itself is something to concern those who wish President Trump well, but a more troubling and possibly long-lasting realignment is happening concurrently: leftists and Democrats are reviving, despite the fact that we left them for dead in the wake of the 2024 election. Their squabbles are long forgotten, as the Trump haters find common purpose in – what else? – hating Trump.

Witness, first of all, the steady drumbeat of anti-Trump coverage in the mainstream media and on social media, exemplified in uniquely horrifying fashion by the tendency of the talking heads to root openly for Iran in the present conflict, and to portray the noble efforts of President Trump and the U.S. military to bring down the mullahs as aggression, inhumanity, and pure stupidity. Whether this incessant calumny has any relationship to the facts or not, it is having a cumulative effect: Trump's approval ratings are drifting down, and the Democrats' advantage in generic ballot polls is gradually increasing. A point here and a point there may not seem like much, and the President's base remains broadly enthusiastic, but no one can question that Trump and Republicans are in a steadily weakening political position. The Left's lies, including its damned lies, are having an effect.

Second, it's getting increasingly hard to ignore the trend in special elections, which is almost uniformly favorable to Democrats, and not in a subtle way. Democrats routinely outperform the results they obtained in 2024 in these special elections by 15 or 20 points. That's a lot! Republicans even lost in Trump's “backyard”, as the Dems love to point out, in a race for a Florida House seat in an area that includes Mar-a-Lago. Ouch! Meanwhile, Republican-held state legislative seats in Texas, Iowa, Mississippi, Georgia, New Hampshire, and elsewhere have turned blue, and emphatically so. The Democrats think the momentum is on their side, and there's very little evidence in the results of these special elections to contradict them.

Lastly, money makes the world go 'round, and politics even more so. The Democrats and leftists aren't just taking to the streets in their millions, shaking their fists at “King Trump” – they're also putting their money where their big, obnoxious mouths are. Contributions are pouring into special election campaigns and into the coffers of liberal candidates running in the midterms. The Democrats have become, lest anyone forget, the party of the well-heeled, and they are, as a result, tapping into an almost inexhaustible reservoir of financial support. They have massively outspent us in most recent election cycles, and they may well do so again in 2026, especially when dark money is factored in.

It is worth remembering that President Trump and Republicans face these severe headwinds despite the fact that the U.S. economy is basically sound, inflation low, and the markets buoyant. What would happen if, say, the market tanked, or unemployment rose, or inflation heated up? How hard would it be to revive GOP fortunes then? An economic slowdown, moreover, is looking increasingly possible, according to economists.

The solutions to these challenges are by no means apparent, but one thing is for sure: the Democrats and leftists cannot be written off as perennial losers, and they cannot be depended on to sink their own ship. On the contrary, we should recognize that President Trump's victory in 2024 came despite the inherent and broad-based strength of the Democratic Party and the Left, with all their ingrained advantages and prodigious institutional and popular support. To hold on to the House of Representatives in November (not to mention the Senate, which is looking increasingly shaky), it will take wise decisions from the President and his top lieutenants, as well as a maximum effort from Republicans, conservatives, and the MAGA movement. Even then, we may fall short.

That's just the sad, unvarnished truth.


Dr. Nicholas L. Waddy is a history professor at SUNY Alfred and blogs at: www.waddyisright.com. He appears on the Newsmakers show on WLEA/WYSL.

 

And here it is at World Net Daily:

 

https://www.wnd.com/2026/03/democrats-think-theyre-winning-sadly-theyre-right/  

 

***

 

In other news, Senate Republicans are considering the use of another reconciliation bill to get the DHS funded, possibly pass a version of the SAVE Act, and otherwise advance the GOP agenda.  I think this is an excellent idea, as getting the dastardly Dems to support anything common sensical, or even vaguely sensical, is a lost cause.  Reconciliation bills only require a simple majority.  I say: get on with it!

 

https://rollcall.com/2026/03/24/in-the-senate-thune-resurrects-idea-of-reconciliation/ 

 

Finally, in a first for any U.S. president, Donald Trump's signature will soon be appearing on our paper money!  Wow.  Perhaps Trump believes this will cause all Americans to think of him with reverence and gratitude every time they spend money.  Fat chance of that!  Still, I have no problem with Trump's signature, likeness, or shoe size appearing on U.S. dollars, and we might also consider appending a short message mocking the Democrats on every bill too.  Why the heck not???

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0el909yp3o