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Monday, August 4, 2025

Best Job Numbers Ever!!!

 


Friends, Democrats are outraged (yawn!) because President Trump has fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, because she released a set of new jobs numbers that he regards as inaccurate and defamatory to him and his administration.  Are his charges valid?  That I couldn't say.  I tend to trust government statistics.  Can the books be cooked, to a certain extent?  Sure, but it's hard to make a recession look like a boom, or vice versa, so there's only so much that you can accomplish with such chicanery, and I'm not sure why you'd try it when we're a year and a half from the next election...  Bottom line: Trump's politicization of economic statistics will make even fewer people trust "the numbers", and there aren't many people trusting anything or anyone as it is.  It's a race to the bottom, or so it seems to me.

 

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/08/02/trump_bls_numbers_were_phony_i_did_the_right_thing_by_firing_director.html 

 

Speaking of cynicism, Republicans in Texas are getting closer and closer to passing a reapportionment of their Congressional districts designed to favor their fellow Republicans.  The GOP could secure five additional seats in the House in 2026, which would make Democrats furious and would tempt blue states to retaliate in kind.  Texas Democrats are boycotting the state legislature to try to deny Republicans a quorum, and as a result those Dems could be fined or even arrested.  This could get mighty ugly!  The question is: could it work as a stratagem to maintain GOP control of the House of Representatives???  Only time will tell.  

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz601p6jv8vo 

 

China and India aren't liking the idea of paying massive "secondary tariffs" that would be designed to punish them for buying Russian oil.  On the other hand, they aren't willing to stop buying that oil either, meaning that the U.S. and China and India are basically engaged in a global game of chicken.  Would the U.S. really risk a massive trade war with China AND India, in order to increase financial pressure on Putin's regime?  China and India seem to regard these threats as a bluff, and, I must say, I suspect that Trump doesn't mean what he says in this case either.  I think he may be engaged in a last ditch effort to bring Ukraine and Russia to the bargaining table.  If that effort fails, then I'm not sure what he'll do, but cutting off trade with China and India doesn't seem very likely, and wouldn't be terribly smart.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/news/china-pushes-back-at-us-demands-to-stop-buying-russian-and-iranian-oil/ 

 

Since I would never lower myself to the point of reading the benighted Washington Post, I'm not sure how much the paper has changed since Jeff Bezos decided it would celebrate American freedom and capitalism, but I'm reassured by the fact that some lefties are jumping ship!

 

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/08/02/capehart_on_leaving_wapo_we_were_told_we_would_have_to_be_unapologetically_patriotic_and_write_about_positive_things.html 

 

Finally, this week's Newsmakers show is definitely worth a listen.  It features more than the usual amount of historical analysis, which you'll enjoy to no end!

 

https://wysl.podbean.com/e/newsmakers-8-2-25/ 

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Five Glorious Years!

 


Friends, a hearty congrats to the Right Thinkers organization in the Southern Tier of New York State, spearheaded by the incomparable Connie Wolfinger and Nate Smith.  I've been privileged to be a part of the Right Thinkers for almost their whole five year run, and we've come a long way together!  Just a few months ago, we were contemplating what might have been the end for American conservatism and our democratic/Constitutional system, and today we're envigorated daily by President Donald Trump's achievements and his vision for the country.  All I can say is: if we conservatives stick together, there's no mountain we can't climb!

 

https://www.oleantimesherald.com/2025/07/29/right-thinkers-marks-5-years-conservative-discussion/ 

 

In other news, the U.S. economy grew at a 3% annual pace in the second quarter, which sounds good, and is good, although there are some warning signs that trade turbulence could catch up with us in the third and fourth quarters...

 

https://www.wsj.com/economy/us-gdp-q2-2025-359c022b?st=ENJB6g 

 

Speaking of tariffs, we just inked a deal with South Korea, which is fantastic, but we also announced sanctions and stiff tariffs against Brazil, largely because of that country's suppression of (conservative) dissent.  Will Brazil pay us any heed?  I hope so, for their sake and for the world's.  Brazil is a cautionary tale of how Western "democracy", such as it is, could unravel, due to censorship and lawfare.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxpvl9krxwo 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlzn72eg25o 

 

Finally, leftists are incensed because of...an ad for blue jeans???  Their ability to read "Nazism" into anything and everything never ceases to amaze me.  The poor dears!  How will they survive the next four years???

 

 https://nypost.com/2025/07/29/opinion/sydney-sweeney-tantrum-is-all-about-the-lefts-rage-at-americas-rejection/

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Trump Diplomacy

 


Friends, DJT's recent visit to Scotland was a tour de force, as this article makes plain.  He charmed the British PM Sir Keir Starmer, he inked a highly favorable (to us) trade deal with the EU, and he played lots of golf and drummed up business for his various regional golf clubs.  What's more, the Trump haters in the U.K., of which there are many, were remarkably quiescent.  Trump bestrides the globe, in short, and he keeps on winning, no matter where he goes.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly42x8k55lo 

 

Speaking of Trumpian diplomacy, we appear to be maintaining our "trade truce" with China, under which they will pay minimal tariffs of 10-30% while negotiations on a final deal continue.  Fair enough.  I trust Trump to achieve a healthy rebalancing in our commercial relations with the PRC.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2025/07/29/u-s-china-extend-tariff-truce-pending-trumps-approval/ 

 

The mainstream/leftist media is full of stories about hapless "undocumented immigrants" who get dragged out of their communities by Trumpian thugs for no good reason.  And it fails utterly to report on all the genuine thugs, perverts, and maniacs who have been evicted from America courtesy of ICE.  For shame!!!

 

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2025/07/29/heres-how-many-sex-offenders-ice-has-arrestedin-just-one-city-n2661093 

 

Finally, you may not have noticed, but the Trump Administration has struck a blow against "woke AI", and it may be one of the most consequential things DJT has done in his second term to date.  Why do I say that?  Everyone agrees that AI is going to play an enormous role in our economy and our society going forward.  Well, every AI has a set of ethical parameters, in effect, that guides its behavior and its interpretation of reality.  It matters GREATLY who sets those parameters and why.  The federal government is weighing in, essentially denying federal contracts to Big Tech companies that infect their AI systems with wokeness.  Now, that won't be easy to pull off, because defining wokeness is notoriously difficult, but just the threat of losing federal dollars will cause many AI programmers and Big Tech executives to tread carefully.  Thank you, President Trump!

 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/preventing-woke-ai-in-the-federal-government/ 

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Hands Across the Water

 


Friends, they said he couldn't do it...but he did it, all right!  DJT has sealed a trade deal with the EU that should prove highly advantageous for the USA.  Basically, it imposes a 15% tariff on EU exports to us, while we get expanded tariff-free access to European markets.  With any luck, this should help even out the trade relationship we have with Europe, which thus far has been very unbalanced -- in favor of the Euro-weanies.  The markets will be pleased, needless to say!  There will be no scorched-earth trade war with Europe.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2xylk3d07o 

 

The Democrats are plumbing new depths in terms of their national popularity, which is good news, but the American people have plenty of doubts about Trump and Republicans too.  I wouldn't pop the champagne corks just yet...

 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/26/democrats-approval-rating-poll-00478141?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us 

 

Apparently, Texas is considering some redrawing of its Congressional districts BEFORE the next Census in 2030.  This would be to obtain additional safe seats for Republicans in advance of the 2026 midterm elections.  If you're a Republican, that probably sounds super!  If you're a Democrat, it sounds downright scary, which is leading quite a few blue states to ponder some retaliatory redistricting of their own.  Gerrymandering has become a more and more salient feature of American politics, but we always used to fight these battles just once a decade.  Now we may fight them continuously!  I predict this won't end well.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/texas-plows-ahead-new-maps-governors-grapple-prospect-decade-redistric-rcna221142 

 

Finally, here's my latest article!  It focuses on the restrained, balanced approach to antitrust prosecutions that the Trump/Bondi DOJ is taking, and why Alphabet/Google has to remain in the antitrust crosshairs.

 

https://townhall.com/columnists/nicholaswaddy/2025/07/26/the-right-way-and-the-wrong-way-to-do-antitrust-n2660984 

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Only in (Trump's) America...

 


Friends, lots of surreal stuff happens in the new-and-improved Trumpian USA that we're privileged to inhabit.  For instance, today, the President visited the construction site of the new Federal Reserve HQ, along with the Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.  He ambushed Powell with a report about cost overruns, and Powell was left squirming.  To be honest, on the merits, I side with Powell, in the sense that the cost of the Fed's new headquarters is really beside the point.  What's important is the Fed's enormous power, its lack of accountability, and its questionable decision to raise interest rates and keep them high -- much higher than other advanced economies around the world.  Will Powell ultimately lower those rates?  Probably, but he likely would have done that with or without Trump's prompting.  The more interesting question is how the relationship between the presidency and the Fed will evolve under these novel Trumpian circumstances.  Stay tuned!

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/crl0l0xxrxeo 

 

In other news, we appear to have a Republican and a Democratic candidate for what is currently Thom Tillis's Senate seat in North Carolina.  RNC Chair Michael Whatley is our man, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is theirs.  That ought to set off alarm bells, because Cooper has had a good run as Governor and will be a formidable opponent.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/rnc-chair-michael-whatley-run-north-carolina-senate-seat-rcna220752 

 

In another piece of ambiguous news, the Democratic Party is struggling with fundraising, but that doesn't mean that lefties aren't ponying up large sums of money.  Instead of giving it to the party, though, they're giving it to progressive "stars" like AOC.  In other words, if you feed rank-and-file leftists red meat, and they'll shower you with cash!  This means that the reports of the Left's demise are greatly exaggerated, but it also means that the movement may insist on descending down assorted neo-Marxist rabbit holes rather than tacking to the center and rediscovering a way to be competitive nationally.  That's okay by me.

 

https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/democratic-donors-progressive-aoc-zohran-mamdani-825242e9?st=WyFLfg 

 

Finally, the philosophy of the Trump Administration is clearly "billions for immigration enforcement, and not one cent for sanctuary cities!"  Well, along these lines, the infrastructure necessary for mass deportations is being scaled up, which is a good sign, because it means that Trump and Co. are serious about getting the job done.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/24/trump-admin-awards-1-26-billion-for-largest-migrant-detention-center-u-s/ 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

The Rising Sun Settles With Trump

 


Friends, the "panicans" have been proven wrong yet again: instead of facing tariff-generated economic armageddon, the U.S. is cutting more and more deals with our trading partners/adversaries, promising continued commerce, hundreds of billions in federal revenue, expanded exports, and a modest (and healthy) reduction in American reliance on cheap imports.  All in all, a pretty positive result!  Not all countries have settled with DJT, as of now, but Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia have, and this creates irresistible momentum that other, more recalcitrant countries will find hard to resist.  After all, if no one was willing to talk turkey with us, we might have to abandon our aggressive pursuit of new trade terms, but since so many major players, especially China, ARE willing to compromise, well, the future looks bright for American negotiators, and, more importantly, for American workers and consumers.  Bravo, President Trump!  You told us to be patient, and that good things would come to those who wait...and who maintain their faith in Trump, and you were right.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/22/trump-announces-massive-trade-deal-with-japan-15-tariff-550-billion-investment/ 

 

https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/07/22/u-s-strikes-trade-deals-with-philippines-indonesia-as-tariff-deadline-nears/ 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynwv7gn2do 

 

Meanwhile, a fresh poll of potential voters in the NYC mayoral race indicates that the socialist Mamdani currently holds a large lead.  Is this good news or bad?  Let's face it: a Mamdani victory could be one of the best things that could happen to the national GOP.  On the other hand, it could lead to a depression in the NYC economy, and that could spill over into the Mid-Atlantic region and possibly even the whole country.  They don't call it "the Big Apple" for nothing.  Keep your eye on this race.  It could have big implications.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/22/new-york-city-mayoral-poll-socialist-zohran-mamdani-leading-opponents-cuomo-sliwa-adams/ 

 

Finally, there's another rescissions package coming soon -- hooray! -- this one targeting wasteful spending at the Department of Education.  If we're going to get serious about controlling federal spending, and we should, then we'll need to make the passage of these rescissions bills a regular occurence, and we'll need our Republican Congressmen and Senators to demonstrate great intestinal fortitude (by sticking with Trump).  Here's hoping!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/education/2025/07/22/report-white-house-to-slash-education-funding-another-rescissions-package/ 

Monday, July 21, 2025

Rich, Rich, Rich...Beyond Our Wildest Dreams!

 


Friends, could the gold-hued and mega-Trumpy thousand dollar bill become a reality?  I wouldn't bet on it, but the economic wins that Trump has racked up since taking office are impressive.  Just a few months ago, the media and the Dems were telling us that a recession was a virtual certainty, and now?  Now the markets are surging, inflation is cooling, and all the hubbub about tariffs seems totally overblown.  No one can guarantee four solid years of prosperity, but we're off to a fine start, which must aggravate lefties to no end!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/21/white-house-trumps-strong-economy-after-6-months-proves-panicans-wrong/ 

 

Can you believe how unhinged the Left's reaction to the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been???  First of all, the influence of late night comedy shows is infinitesimal, compared to what it was in Johnny Carson's heyday.  Second of all, Trump's critics don't have a constitutional right to unlimited airtime.  I mean, grow up!  Sometimes shows get cancelled.  Life goes on.  I have no doubt that Mr. Colbert will land on his feet, and that his fellow progressives will take good care of him.  If not, he has his millions of dollars to bring him solace...  What will CBS replace him with?  Reruns of I Love Lucy, if they know what's good for them.  As for Molly Ringwald's suggestion that Stephen Colbert should run for president, I couldn't agree more!  That's exactly what the Dems need: an out-of-touch, sanctimonious Hollywood insider as their standard-bearer.  But maybe Steve would rather run as a third party candidate?  Even better!!!  Bring it on, Bolshies!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/07/21/the-breakfast-club-star-molly-ringwald-says-silver-lining-stephen-colbert-is-free-to-run-for-president/ 

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Redskins to Return???

 


Friends, in the wake of the George Floyd riots in 2020, it seemed the whole world went mad, or, more accurately, went woke.  Every major corporation was tripping over itself to express its solidarity with "Black" Americans (and God help you if you forgot to capitalize the "B"!), and quite a few sports teams put their long-time mascots into cold storage.  Well, 2025 is a whole different ball game (if you'll pardon the pun), and now President Trump is demanding that the tide of wokeness be not only stopped, but reversed.  He wants Washington's NFL team to once again be known as the Redskins.  Is such a thing possible?  Would a major institution, in a town as liberal as D.C., dare to defy woke/progressive orthodoxy, and cater to Trumpism, in such a flagrant way?  Time will tell, but I would be immensely impressed and reassured if we discovered that the answer is YES!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2025/07/20/trump-says-he-may-put-restrictions-on-commanders-new-stadium-deal-if-they-dont-change-name-back-to-redskins/ 

 

Our valiant new Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is claiming that former President Obama was involved in a "treasonous conspiracy" against his elected successor, Donald J. Trump.  Those are words that one would hope a DNI would choose carefully, and they imply that Obama and other officials in his administration might be guilty of crimes, up to and including treason.  That's kind of a big deal!  Now, was the intelligence suggestive of Trump's involvement in a Russian-led conspiracy to alter the results of the 2016 election deliberately exaggerated/misrepresented?  I surely think so.  Nonetheless, we have to admit that, thus far, we conservatives/Republicans have done an awfully poor job of proving criminal complicity in any such effort to defame and undermine President Trump.  We've done an even worse job of convicting anyone in a court of law.  Do Gabbard's words suggest that more prosecutions may be forthcoming?  That would be a fascinating and highly significant development.  Or, perhaps, are Gabbard's words just typical inside the Beltway hot air?  You tell me...

 

https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/07/20/dni-gabbard-obama-directed-a-treasonous-conspiracy-against-trump/ 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Have a Coke and a Jackboot!

 



Friends, we hear a lot of nonsense from the Left about what a dictator Trump is, and how he's just like Hitler, only a thousand times worse.  Typical progressive hyperbole, right?  Well, I was always inclined to dismiss these claims, but now I hear that Trump has singlehandedly convinced (compelled?) Coca-Cola to change its formula.  From now on, the company will use cane sugar rather than corn syrup in its signature beverage.  I think it's pretty obvious where I'm going with this...  He who can alter the formula for "American champagne", i.e. Coca-Cola, has, fairly obviously, UNLIMITED POWER!!!  Before long, Trump will make the Big Mac into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich by an act of pure will...  Everywhere you look, corporate America is rushing to placate DJT, and rightly so, for, if he is Commander-in-Chief of Colas, resistance to his dominion truly is futile.  All hail King-Emperor Donald the Great, therefore!!!  And, whether your tastes run to Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or even Fanta, know that he is your lord and master, and never shall the sun set on his Empire of Pop!  Pepsi, I hope you're listening, because the grace period for compliance with His Imperial Majesty's wishes is measured in hours...

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxe59zl8qzo 

How the West Was Won

 


Friends, as you may be aware, Donald J. Trump emerged triumphant in the 2024 presidential election, narrowly saving America and Western Civilization from imminent collapse.  How did he pull it off?  Well, almost every single demographic, except old ladies, moved to the right, compared to the results in 2020, but some groups moved a lot more than others, including people of color.  Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians all showed markedly more inclination to vote for Trump, and that made the difference.  You'll find this deep dive into the data very interesting...and very heartening!

 

https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/a-final-comprehensive-look-at-how 

 

Relations between DJT and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell are not exactly what you would call warm and snuggly.  Trump appointed Powell, lest we forget, but he has come to despise Powell's caution.  There is a strong argument to be made that interest rates are indeed too high.  After all, inflation seems well in check.  Hopefully, whether Powell stays on or not, those rates will begin to fall soon.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4geyrdprwjo 

 

Finally, we're one step closer to a "rescissions" package that would strip funding from USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  If you ask me, this is the absolute least that Congress can do to support President Trump and the ongoing work of DOGE.  Will Congress eventually find the courage to axe the Department of Education?  That's a bigger hurdle, but I hope so.

 

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/3472375/vance-tiebreaker-rescissions-vote-senate-doge-inspired-cuts-trump/ 

Monday, July 14, 2025

If At First You Don't Succeed...

 


Friends, the Big Apple, which has been staring imminent Mamdani-fication in the face for the last several weeks, just got another sobering piece of news: Andrew Cuomo is doublng down on his bid for the mayoralty!  This sets up a fascinating, high stakes clash between the progressive and "moderate" wings of the Democratic Party.  Let us hope that this internecine quarrel becomes increasingly ruthless and brutal, and that the Left, by the end of it, becomes a house divided, never again to reunite!  That's an optimistic reading of the situation, I'll admit, but I've always believed that the only permanent way to liberate America from the danger of Democratic/progressive rule is to split the movement into smaller, unviable factions.  Thanks to Emperor Andy, we're one step closer.

 

https://x.com/andrewcuomo/status/1944829573222338765 

Sunday, July 13, 2025

America First Means Americans First

 


Friends, I found some of the statistics in this piece quite eye-opening.  In a nutshell, under Biden, the vast majority of new jobs went to immigrants and "migrants", i.e. immigrants who decided they didn't feel like waiting in line or filling out any forms.  Under Trump, it's American-born workers who are getting the benefit of new job opportunities, and who are enjoying lower inflation and steady wage gains to boot.  Isn't that how prosperity ought to be defined, at the end of the day?  Shouldn't it benefit primarily those of us who already live here, and shouldn't we be allowing in new people ONLY when doing so enhances liberty and the standard of living for all?  Seems to me like Trump is finally getting some of these economic fundamentals right.  Bully for Trump!!!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/07/13/winning-jobs-gains-going-to-native-born-americans-wage-gains-outpacing-inflation/ 

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Crushing It!

 


Friends, this week's Newsmakers show basks in the reflective glory of some of DJT's big wins of late, including the Supreme Court's decisions abolishing universal injunctions and upholding the president's power to hire and fire executive branch employees.  Long story short: the ability of leftist judges to stymie the wishes of the American people, expressed via that great big presidential election we had not long ago, has been dramatically and probably permanently curtailed.  Hooray!  Brian and I also discuss Trump's growing frustrations with Russia, which adamantly refuses to make peace with Ukraine; Trump's tariff threats vis-a-vis Brazil; the prospects for "green energy" in Trump's second term; where we stand with the once famous "Yankee work ethic"; the mixed messages sent by the retirement of North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis; and more!  You won't want to miss this action-packed episode of your favorite talk show, starring ME!

 

https://wysl.podbean.com/e/newsmakers-7-12-25/ 

 

In other news, we're learning more about what caused that Air India flight to crash in Ahmedabad recently.  Apparently, both fuel cut off switches were activated shortly after takeoff, starving both engines of, well, fuel, and thus thrust.  The pilots just didn't have enough time to recover.  Did one of the pilots intentionally flip those switches?  Did he do it by accident?  Or did a mechanical fault trip the switches without any action from the pilots?  Hopefully, the investigation will get to the bottom of this mystery.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gy78gpnqo 

Friday, July 11, 2025

It's the Best of Times, It's Not the Worst of Times

 


Friends, as the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq notch record high after record high, we face a seeming contradiction: the legacy media loves reporting doom and gloom about the economy, and especially about tariffs, which Democrats and leftists lap up and believe implicitly, so how do the major indices keep going up up up?  It defies common sense.  

 

These surveys help to explain matters.  It's not that the American people have a unanimously positive impression of the state of the economy -- far from it -- but they do feel better about it now than arguably at any time since the onset of the COVID pandemic.  That's a good thing!!!  It also begs the question: how buoyant would the markets be, and how high would our growth rates go, if this economy wasn't weighed down by the mainstream media's bellyaching?  God willing, someday we may find out.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/07/11/breitbart-business-digest-american-economic-optimism-rises-to-highest-levels-in-years/ 

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Tariffing Tyrants

 


Friends, President Trump loves to threaten other countries with tariffs, and usually these threats have something to do with opening access to their markets to American exporters and/or protecting American jobs.  Well, today DJT declared that he would levy a 50% tariff on Brazil, and his reasons had nothing to do with U.S. economic interests.  His purpose is to defend U.S. social media companies from Brazilian laws and court decisions that effectively force them to practice censorship, AND to protest against the kangaroo court that is now holding former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in judgement.  Trump and Bolsonaro were close allies before the latter lost his reelection bid and was promptly railroaded by the very aggressive and very leftist courts in Brazil.  Trump is right that what Brazil is doing is outrageous, but are tariffs the best response to what amounts to an overseas version of lawfare?  Wouldn't sanctions make more sense?  It's starting to seem like tariffs, or the threat of tariffs, are Trump's "go to" solution to every international problem.  He's also in some danger of becoming known as the Boy Who Cried Tariffs...  Don't get me wrong: I would love to see Brazil's socialist oppressors held to account, but I'm not sure that tariffs are the best lever to pull, in this particular case.  What are your thoughts?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c784ee81y4zo 

Monday, July 7, 2025

Tariffs Make Wonderful Conversation Starters

 


Friends, the threat and/or the reality of reciprocal tariffs has motivated dozens of countries to come to the negotiating table to work out a new trading relationship with Trump's America.  Already, the U.K., China, and Vietnam have come to terms with us...terms that are much more favorable than the ones that Biden and Co. accepted as a matter of course.  Now, the deadline for reaching an agreement applying to other countries has been extended until August 1, while the potential consequences of failing to do so have been outlined by none other than DJT himself.  Expect, in short, more progress in the days and weeks ahead!  Some countries will get hammered by new, punitive tariffs, no doubt, but that's necessary to keep the rest of the world honest.  Kudos to President Trump for fighting the good fight on our behalf!

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0vkl31085o 

 

In other news, SCOTUS's abolition of "universal injunctions" is an extremely positive first step in reining in activist judges, but it may not be enough, in itself.  Powerful tools still remain in the hands of the unscrupulous lawyers and politicians who wish to make trouble for the Trump Administration, and to protect the Deep State from meaningful reforms.  In short, SCOTUS may need to go further, or Congress may need to act, to permanently remove leftist judges' ability to obstruct executive action.

 

https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/07/scotus-ruling-against-universal-injunctions-didnt-go-far-enough/ 

Saturday, July 5, 2025

To the Moon, Alice! Or Mars. Possibly Earth.

 


Friends, Elon Musk is making his divorce from DJT semi-official by announcing that he's forming a new political party: the "America Party", meant to challenge the monopoly of the Republicans AND the Democrats.  My guess is it will be hard going, because, given recent developments, Musk isn't beloved by progressives or conservatives.  Of course, there are plenty of centrists who are sick and tired of the GOP and the Demon-crats, so forming a third party may not be a complete waste of time, but it's likely to play the role of "spoiler", if indeed it has any impact at all.  If you ask me, such a party is more likely to help the Republicans than it is to help the Democrats, because it will effectively split the anti-Trump vote.  Anyway, what will the party stand for?  If the answer is fiscal sanity, then I might at least tip my hat to those Elonicans myself.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dn04lvgpdo 

Friday, July 4, 2025

Oh, Happy Day!

 


Friends, Happy 4th of July!!!  Our country is 249 years old, and doesn't look a day over 227, if you ask me.  Next year we'll be celebrating 250 years of liberty and awesomeness, and in many ways the festivities are already underway, led by YOU KNOW WHO, El Presidente, Donald J. Trump.  Almost half the country believes implicitly that Trump's America is about to implode, and yet, to you and me, things are looking up!  The economy is strong, our border is secure, the judiciary has been reined in, the legacy media and higher ed are cowed, at least to a point, and most men and women seem to know (roughly) what gender they are.  Are these the best of times?  Well, let's not jump to that conclusion, but there's reason to believe that 'Merica has a bit of life left in her, and that's something.  President Trump will, of course, sign the Big, Beautiful Bill into law today.  There are countless upsides, and we must hope that these positive reforms produce a massive surge in economic growth.  Frankly, technological advancements, like A.I., may do that anyway, but a pro-growth federal government that actively protects American jobs and insists on American access to foreign markets doesn't hurt any.  So God Bless America, and God Bless YOU!!!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/04/18-big-beautiful-trump-victories-as-america-celebrates-independence-day/ 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Big Beautiful Monstrosity?

 


Friends, today the big, beautiful bill cleared a major hurdle: it won passage in the U.S. Senate.  Now the onus is on House Republicans, who of course don't have many votes to spare...  I have mixed feelings.  The bill contains many elements that will boost the economy, but it's also very costly, and won't in any way advance the cause of fiscal conservatism.  In fact, to twist enough senatorial arms to pass it, it was made even more costly, which is no surprise to anyone vaguely acquainted with how politics works.  Elon Musk is as outspoken as ever about the bill's detractions, and Trump has retaliated by once again drawing attention to the federal contracts and subsidies that Musk's businesses rely on, and suggesting that DOGE might want to target them for cancellation.  Long story short: the passage of the big, beautiful bill is a big political win for Trump, because he has invested so much capital, as it were, in promoting it.  Is it, however, a win for the country?  I could go either way on that question.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzzzdj15vo 

 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114776149269773065 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Another One Bites the Dust

 


Friends, plenty of Republicans have stood up to Trump, but not all that many have lived (politically) to tell about it.  It's becoming harder and harder for GOP Congressmen and Senators to defy DJT, and maybe that's a good thing, because neither party can accomplish much unless it can preserve a measure of discipline in its ranks.  The problem, however, is that, when men like Tillis decide to retire, they become even more unreliable in the days, weeks, months, and years before their official departure from Congress.  Even worse, said departure creates an open seat, i.e. a pickup opportunity for Democrats.  You better believe the dastardly Dems are salivating at the vacancy in NC that Tillis just created.  Those are the breaks, at any rate, and now Republicans need to search for a strong, Trumpy Republican to carry their banner in the Tar Heel State in 2026.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628vd100pro 

 

In other news, Javier Milei, Argentina's president, is proving that conservative populism can be combined with fiscal discipline.  He's slashed public spending, and the Argentine people seem to appreciate the results: a booming economy and low inflation.  Could a similar miracle happen here?  Not any time soon, if the "big, beautiful bill" is any indication.  Fiscal austerity isn't on Trump's agenda.  Of course, now that "universal injunctions" have been banned, DOGE might be unleashed as never before, and that could help matters.

 

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/argentina-onward/ 

Saturday, June 28, 2025

The Voice of Liberty is Louder Than Ever!

 


Friends, you won't want to miss this week's Newsmakers show, featuring, in addition to U.S. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, moi!  Plus, my segment is longer than ever, meaning the show is more cogent and compelling than ever!  Brian and I cover everything from the humbling of Iran to the shamelessness of "democratic socialists".  Listen, and be amazed!!!

 

https://wysl.podbean.com/e/newsmakers-6-28-25/ 

 

In other news, in the wake of SCOTUS's brave stand against judicial activism and for executive authority, Chief Justice Roberts is warning (liberals) against intemperate, irresponsible, even violent rhetoric against specific judges.  This is a timely observation, given the increasing venom that the Left is directing at conservative Justices.  The Justices' recent actions took a great deal of courage, especially given the almost universal hostility to Trumpism inside the Beltway, and we must do everything in our power to shield them from retaliation.  Of course, tactically speaking, it doesn't hurt to remind the Blessed Six who their real friends are, and who is eyeing them with murderous contempt...

 

https://www.breitbart.com/news/chief-justice-roberts-warns-against-heated-political-words-about-judges/ 

Friday, June 27, 2025

SCOTUS Just Dropped a (Metaphorical) Bunker Buster on the Deep State

 


Friends, you thought workplace conditions at Fordow were bad?  Things could get a whole lot hairier for lefty federal judges from this point on...  SCOTUS today seems to have curtailed the ability of district court judges to issue so-called universal injunctions, which prevent the executive branch from doing, well, pretty much anything, on the whim of whatever judge feels like issuing the order.  These injunctions have been the bane of DJT's existence since taking office in January, and curbing them could mean a HUGE shot in the arm for the agenda, broadly conceived, of the Trump Administration!  We'll see how the dust settles, but I am most impressed by SCOTUS's resolute stand, and I am deeply grateful to those six conservative Justices who are, FINALLY, earning their paychecks (and then some)!

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/supreme-court-limits-nationwide-orders-that-have-blocked-trump-s-birthright-citizenship-ban/ar-AA1HxVAb 

 

In other news, there is "outrage" that Donald Trump said a thing that is kinda true, but then there's always outrage about everything Trump says, so what's new?  Trump compared the decisiveness of his bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities to the war-ending impact of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Now, as a historian, I actually don't agree that those atomic bombings were as central to Japan's decision to surrender as many people assume, but that doesn't change the fact that they were an important part of the ruling junta's calculus as it made the decision to cry uncle.  Will Trump's bunker busters prove similarly transformative?  Well, only time will tell, but it's not outrageous to hope so!

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg5xrgr72yo 

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

You Can Never Be Too Far Left, Right???

 


Friends, the dastardly Dems have outdone themselves!  They've elevated a "democratic socialist" to be their candidate for Mayor of New York City.  In other words, they've eschewed pragmatism for purity, as per usual.  This bodes well insofar as the last thing we want is for the Democrats and leftists to solidify their grip on reality.  No!  We much prefer them to build castles in the air, and the airier, the better!  

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg6yg7x467o 

 

Speaking of flights of fancy, 79 Democrats in the House have voted to impeach President Trump for...daring to use the U.S. military against an enemy state: Iran!  Of course, every single one of these Dems voted to impeach President Obama back when he took out Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan...without Congressional approval.  I mean, anything less would be rank hypocrisy!!!  What's that you say?  Nary a Dem has ever called for the impeachment of a Democratic president, no matter how many bombs he dropped on foreign soil?  Well!  That does put things in a somewhat different light.  In any case, note that 79 Democrats will apparently vote to impeach Donald J. Trump for literally ANYTHING, but that still leaves 128 Democrats who aren't quite so far gone.  Maybe some of these Dems realize how futile efforts to impeach Trump are, or how they tend to strengthen Trump himself.  Still, if the Dems take back control of the House next November, could they resist the urge to impeach Trump, Vance, Rubio, Bondi, and every Republican in sight?  Let's hope they never get the chance.

 

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jun/24/dozens-democrats-vote-failed-effort-advance-trump-impeachment-us/ 

Monday, June 23, 2025

Failure to Launch

 


Friends, the mullahs invested vast resources in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and the last two weeks, not to mention the last few hours, have told the tale on how wise this investment was.  Iran has no nukes, and, after the pounding its program has taken, probably never will.  It does have plenty of missiles, but very few of them reach the soil of their enemies unintercepted, and few if any hit their intended targets.  So, not only has WWIII been averted, contrary to the doomsaying of the Left and the Democrats, but Iran has been taught a valuable lesson regarding its own impotence and the futility of threatening Israel and the West.  The "12 Day War" appears to be over.  We'll have to wait and see whether these developments produce a genuine change in Iran's behavior, or if they destabilize the regime there in any serious way.  One thing is for sure: Iran is less powerful (and less reckless?) than many feared.

 

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114734934153569653 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdr3yxgjd6ro 

 

In other news, SCOTUS has bestirred itself to confirm that the President of the United States can, in fact, deport illegal immigrants.  Imagine that!  Thanks for throwing us a bone, Supremes...

 

 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5wkrn99qpo

Sunday, June 22, 2025

The Die Is Cast

 


Friends, we've gone ahead and done it!  We dropped a bunch of our massive bunker buster bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities.  With what effect?  Well, that question could be answered several ways!  Perhaps the most interesting is: how will Iran react, and with what degree of success?  I would advise the Iranians to tread carefully, because they're already looking like a (Persian) paper tiger.  It might be time to cut their losses and lick their wounds...  Of course, they have to do something to flex their puny muscles.  Here's hoping it's something suitably pathetic and transitory, and then the peace talks can begin.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg9r4q99g4o 

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Deport 'Em All, and Let God Sort 'Em Sort!

 


Friends, my latest article focuses on the Trump Administration's about-face on the issue of whether hotels, restaurants, and farms employing illegal aliens will be subject to ICE raids.  In the end, Trump and Co. decided that there will be NO SAFE HAVENS, and I support that decision.

 

U.S. Sovereignty Should Trump Corporate Profits Every Time


Recently, Republicans, conservatives, and Trumpers were horrified to learn – in the wake of the pro-illegal immigration L.A. riots, no less – that the Trump Administration had decided to suspend ICE enforcement and deportation raids at hotels, restaurants, and farms. This tactical retreat from what has been, up to now, a no holds barred, zero tolerance approach to curbing illegal immigration, was apparently the brainchild of Brooke Rollins, Trump's Secretary of Agriculture and a notoriously pro-business Republican. That some in the administration wish to soft-pedal the deportation of valuable (and cheap) workers, in the interest of maximizing corporate profits, can't come as a surprise. About 5% of U.S. workers are illegal aliens, and some businesses are totally reliant on the work they do. What did shock many, however, was that Trump posted about the move on Truth Social, seeming to brag (!) about his newfound flexibility and inclination to mercy when it comes to certain forms of illegal immigration. Not without good reason, many Republicans, conservatives, and Trumpers found this change of direction as galling as it was inexplicable.

For decades, the Achilles' heel of all efforts to limit or end illegal immigration has been the unwillingness of either Democrats or Republicans to deprive American businesses of the vast supply of cheap, illegal labor that constantly renews itself, thanks to our hitherto insecure southern border. Even President Trump, in his first term, did not distinguish himself as a draconian enforcer of our numerous laws criminalizing the hiring of illegal aliens as workers. Few businesses were charged with related crimes, and only a couple of thousand illegal workers were swept up in workplace raids. Perhaps Trump's attitude in those days was that “the Wall” would, by itself, solve the illegal immigration problem, and thus inconveniencing the GOP's corporate allies, who so often hire illegals, was unnecessary. If so, this was a naive approach, because cutting off government benefits and job opportunities for illegals is the only lasting, definitive way to solve the problem. Simply put, the Almighty Dollar is the chief incentive for illegal aliens to come to the U.S. in the first place, and no administration since that of Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s has had particular success in taking away this incentive – and nor has any president since Eisenhower tried very hard to do so.

Nonetheless, despite Trump's lassitude in 2017-21 in arresting illegal alien workers, and more importantly their shameless, greedy employers, Republicans, conservatives, and Trump supporters had a right to expect that the Trump Administration's focus, energy, and ruthlessness with respect to worksite enforcement would be redoubled this time around. The announcement that hotels, restaurants, and farms would get a pass, therefore, was a terrible disappointment.

Luckily, the firestorm of outrage that this move generated had the desired effect: almost immediately, the Department of Homeland Security announced that raids on all types of businesses would continue, and no industry would be immune from the illegal immigration crackdown. While Trump himself did not lay particular emphasis on this policy climbdown, one assumes that the president is keenly aware of the need to maintain his credibility, including his reputation as the toughest enforcer of our nation's immigration laws in living memory – a major source of Trump's popularity, and a central element of his agenda. After all, his most notable success in immigration policy to date, the virtual cessation of illegal crossings at the southern border, is a consequence not of robust enforcement by the Border Patrol, but is more accurately the result of a psychological sea change among the migrants and potential migrants themselves. They no longer are coming across our border because they no longer believe that the U.S. government will turn a blind eye and let them stay. In other words, they fear Trump, because of his infamous toughness and hard-heartedness.

Sadly, that image was dealt a setback by the confusing policy zigzags on the question of workplace immigration raids. Giving some categories of businesses a blanket assurance that they could violate our nation's laws with impunity, because to do anything else would be expensive and inconvenient, was clearly a mistake. Reversing that decision, although embarrassing, was the right thing to do. With that reversal, the Trump crackdown on illegal immigration is back on track, and the American people can hold out hope that our long open borders nightmare may soon come to a conclusive end.


Dr. Nicholas L. Waddy is an Associate Professor of History at SUNY Alfred and blogs at: www.waddyisright.com. He appears on the Newsmakers show on WLEA/WYSL.

 

And here it is in the Olean Times Herald:

 

https://www.oleantimesherald.com/2025/06/26/u-s-sovereignty-corporate-profits-every-time/  

 

***

 

In other news, airstrikes and missile strikes continue to light up the night sky in Israel and Iran.  Trump is debating (with himself) whether to join Israel in the attacks on Iran's nuclear program.  Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson recently interviewed Ted Cruz, and the main topic was U.S. support for Israel and the possibility of U.S. involvement in the current conflict.  Obviously, there are major divisions on the right about foreign policy and our proper role (if any) in containing aggression from Russia, Iran, and other bad actors.  On Iran, I must admit I feel conflicted.  I don't want any more "forever wars", and I generally think the U.S. should mind its own business, but it's hard to see any downside to the (semi-)permanent destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities, and maybe the humiliation of its tottering regime, when it doesn't appear that Iran has the capacity to lash out in any serious way.  Trump has a hard decision to make here!  I pray he acts rightly.

 

https://nypost.com/2025/06/18/world-news/israel-issues-evacuation-warning-to-people-living-near-iran-arak-heavy-water-reactor-for-airstrikes/ 

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/06/18/watch-tucker-carlson-confronts-ted-cruz-over-u-s-role-in-israel-iran-conflict/ 

Monday, June 16, 2025

Mixed Messages

 


Friends, it's a tale of two ICEs.  On one hand, Democrats and progressives think the Trump Administration is using its tyrannical powers to hunt down and expel every "immigrant" they can find, especially the ones with green cards and even citizenship!  Yes, Democrats and progressives really are this gullible.  On the other hand, the pace of deportations isn't anywhere close to the level that would be required to send every illegal immigrant home by the end of Trump's term.  What's more, the Trump Administration recently decided to dial down raids on restaurants, hotels, and farms -- many of which depend on illegal immigrant workers.  That doesn't exactly suggest that Trump's campaign to "end" illegal immigration is all that serious.  If employers will continue to get a pass on hiring illegals, then they might as well stay.  My guess is that the political furor over ICE and its raids will continue, and raids in deep blue cities will continue, because Trump probably enjoys tormenting them, but what we don't know is if the overall pace of deportations (and self-deportations) will build further, or whether, in the end, the demographic and economic effects of all this hullabaloo will be negligible.  The verdict is out.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk2kpk817vo 

 

https://www.breitbart.com/news/ice-raids-paused-on-restaurants-hotels-and-farms/ 

 

In other news, the markets are recovering today because there are signs that Iran wants to resume negotiations over its nuclear program.  Perhaps, having successfully struck some targets inside Israel, the Iranians feel that they've saved face enough to, well, cave to Western and Israeli demands?  Let's hope so.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/news/trump-says-israel-iran-will-come-to-deal-soon-and-warns-tehran-against-retaliating-against-us/ 

 

There were some great big "No Kings" protests across the country on Saturday, and I must say I was even impressed by the turnout in my hometown.  Nevertheless, when we consider that only about 1% of the population was involved in these demonstrations, their significance is highly debatable.  Polls indicate that a lot of people hate Trump -- no surprise there -- but his approval and favorability numbers have actually improved recently, so it's not quite time for the lefties to declare victory, I'd say.

 

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/06/15/hollywood-celebrities-turn-out-for-chaotic-no-kings-marches-were-disgusted-and-were-scared/ 

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/no-kings-biggest-protest-u-172552711.html 

 

Meanwhile, the big military parade in D.C went off without a hitch.  Note that it really wasn't a celebration of Trump's birthday at all.  It was a celebration of the U.S. Army and its glorious heritage.  Leave it to the liberals to find that offensive, huh?

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/06/14/trump-at-armys-250th-anniversary-parade-whatever-danger-comes-the-american-soldier-will-be-there/ 

 

Finally, a Minnesota man has been arrested after shooting two power couples associated with that state's Democratic leadership.  It begs the question: are we developing a culture of assassination in this country?  Can we expect a rash of such incidents?  State lawmakers obviously represent softer targets than Congressmen, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, cabinet secretaries, presidents, etc., but all public officials are vulnerable, given their need to be in the public eye.  Luckily law enforcement generally does an outstanding job of protecting these luminaries, which is what makes this assassin's impersonation of a police officer such a diabolical twist.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5v5l4eylyo 

Saturday, June 14, 2025

The Greatest Birthday Ever!!!

 


Friends, I'm sure you join me in wishing our beloved and indefatigable leader, President Donald J. Trump, a very happy 79th birthday!  He'll be celebrating with a big military parade tonight put on by the U.S. Army, which is, in turn, celebrating 250 years of faithful service to the American people.  Liberals are OUTRAGED, as usual, that soldiers would have the temerity to march down the street, but I suspect it will be a fun and memorable occasion.  There are "No Kings" protests scheduled to occur throughout the nation today, giving lefties a chance to show the flag as well.  It'll be a classic juxtaposition of uniformed, disciplined, patriotic soldiers and scruffy, ascerbic, and possibly violent dissidents.  In a word, what could be more AMERICAN, am I right?

 

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2025/06/14/where-can-i-stream-watch-live-trump-military-parade-june-14-2025/84185104007/ 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dqz4jdzy2o 

 

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is having a field day portraying himself as a victim of Trumpian tyranny, but as this article demonstrates he was anything but.  He's lucky to have escaped prosecution for his stunt, and I hope his luck runs out in that regard, and soon!

 

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/06/13/secret_service_followed_protocol_in_padilla_incident__152924.html 

 

In other news, the rumors of an Israeli strike on Iran were...true, as rumors sometimes are!  Well well.  Of course, we all remember that Israel and Iran exchanged blows last year around this time, but these strikes are considerably heavier, and it looks as though they might continue for weeks.  The interesting question is: can Iran respond in any truly effective fashion?  It can lob missiles and drones at Israel, sure, but almost all of them will miss, and thus no significant damage to Israel will be done.  It could also vent its rage at international shipping in the Gulf, and that could shut down that critical waterway, restrict the flow of oil, and engender a global recession.  What's more, Israel seems to realize that airstrikes can't end Iran's nuclear program, which may already have created enough highly enriched uranium for numerous bombs.  We don't know for sure.  Thus, playing the military card in this way is meant, in the end, to force Iran to the bargaining table and achieve a deal that will involve the voluntary termination of the country's nuclear program.  As much as the fur is flying now, therefore, the lines of communication need to stay open.  Basically, the Iranians need to "learn their lesson".  Will they?  Stay tuned! 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/after-30-years-of-hesitation-netanyahu-pulled-the-trigger/ar-AA1GFxwS

 

Finally, don't neglect to tune into this week's Newsmaker Show, featuring an extended discussion with Yours Truly!  Brian and I cover Gov. Hochul's hostile reception in Congress, the prospect for LA-style riots across the country, RFK's firing of the entire vaccine review panel at the Department of Health and Human Services, the fate of David Hogg, erstwhile DNC Vice-Chair, the shocking departure of Karine Jean-Pierre from the Democratic Party, the strategic significance of Ukraine's attack on Russia's nuclear bomber force, and the inherent difficulties in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  It's a hearty meal of fresh, juicy political insights!

 

https://wysl.podbean.com/e/newsmakers-6-14-25/ 

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Light in the Darkness

 


Friends, that true American hero, Speaker Johnson, has led the narrow GOP House majority to successful passage of the rescission package proposed by the Trump Administration that will cut USAID and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to the bone.  At last!!!  Congress is finally doing its part to help achieve DOGE's mission of reducing the size of government and eliminating federal subsidization of leftist propaganda.  Bravo!

 

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/06/12/house-passes-9-4-billion-rescissions-package-to-codify-doge-cuts-to-pbs-npr-usaid/ 

 

As you may have heard, an Air India flight to London crashed shortly after takeoff, and there was only one survivor.  This is a tragedy for the families involved, but also for Boeing and all its employees.  The aircraft in question was a 787 Dreamliner.  It's by no means clear that any mechanical fault was involved, but people will naturally assume that Boeings are all death traps.  That's most unfortunate.  I've flown on a Dreamliner myself, and I don't recall a single explosion.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c626y121rxxo 

 

A U.S. Senator from the formerly great state of California made an a** of himself at a DHS press conference today and was forcibly removed by the Secret Service.  The only disappointing aspect to this spectacle was the fact that the Senator wasn't charged with disorderly conduct.  Democrats must learn, sooner or later, that "no means no", and they can't misbehave with impunity.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygn48djrko 

 

Could an Israeli strike on Iran be imminent?  Could the threat of such a strike force Iran to accept a deal with the Trump Administration that would effectively terminate its nuclear weapons program?  I say: do what you need to do, Israel, but I remain skeptical that Iran can be prevented from acquiring nukes in the long term.

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-is-poised-to-launch-operation-on-iran-sources-say/ 

 

Finally, the Big, Beautiful Bill lowers taxes in all sorts of ways, and mostly for people that, frankly, don't need a tax cut.  One aspect of the bill that I especially dislike is the huge expansion of federal income tax deductions for those who itemize and pay a lot in state and local taxes.  I'm sure you're thinking: but I deserve those deductions!!!  Why should I be hit with a triple whammy in the form of federal, state, and local taxes?  The answer is because any such deduction effectively subsidizes the high taxes that blue states like to impose on their residents.  What's more, these deductions are expensive and thus add to what is already a freakishly large deficit.  Personally, I would like to see a nice, simple flat tax, and as few deductions as possible.

 

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/06/12/gop_tax_plan_pours_salt_in_deficit_wound_152909.html