One Sick Man

Posted: September 11, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This week the President of the United States went on an AI fueled spree posting over sixty of his craziest ideas. This particular post of his vision for North America and beyond, including his boundless desire to add Greenland to the United States, resulted in the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen flying to Greenland’s capitol Nuuk to meet with the Greenland Premier to reinforce their commitment to keeping Greenland as a semi-autonomous part of Denmark. Greenland is protected by the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — which includes the U.S. Likewise, Iceland’s Foreign Minister responded to the post by calling it “completely inappropriate” and summoning the U.S. Ambassador to formally protest their dissatisfaction with Trump’s antics.

Today is the 25th anniversary of the horrific attacks on our country by terrorists connected to al-Qaeda. There were numerous ceremonies around the country honoring those that we lost that day and in the months and years that followed as a direct result of this attack. For me, it is hard to grasp that it has been that long. I have many memories of that day and the days that followed, as many of us that were adults then surely do also. I knew several of the people killed in the Pentagon, having retired from the Navy there just days before the attack.

As clear as those memories are, given the state of our government leadership and recent events, I want to focus on another incredible undertaking that day a long way from New York City or Washington D.C. or Shanksville Pennsylvania. As word of the attacks spread, U.S. airspace was closed to all but military aircraft. More than 250 commercial flights were diverted to Canada with thirty-eight of them landing at Gander International Airport — formerly a U.S. base — in Newfoundland Canada. The town of about 10,000 people, and those in small towns around the area, took care of more than 7,000 passengers and crew members from around the world that were on those diverted flights. Many of them were from the U.S. Local broadcasting stations put out the call “lend a hand, do what you can.” Newfoundlanders rose to the occasion finding ways to house, feed. clothe and entertain those stranded for days far from home. Their generosity was overwhelming. Asked why the locals went so far to take care of strangers, a local news reporter responded, “For us it was just everyday. You don’t turn your backs on people in need.” There is a successful play that ran on Broadway and is on tour called “Come From Away” — I saw it on Broadway and if you get the chance, I highly recommend you take the opportunity to see it. (Not to spoil it bur the title is the local’s expression for people that do not come from Newfoundland.)

The only time that Article Five of the NATO defense pact was activated (collective defense — an attack against one member is an attack against all) was in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks. NATO rose to the challenge and fought alongside the American military in Afghanistan. Specifically, our friend, neighbor and ally Canada deployed 40,000 military members between 2001 and 2014, the longest military deployment in Canadian history. 158 members of the Canadian Armed Forces and 7 civilians lost their lives.

Canada was not attacked. The people in Gander were not attacked. It was just the right thing to do.

We have a president that is ill, physically and mentally. I am not a physician or psychiatrist or any medical professional. One does not need a medical degree, just open eyes and the judgement that comes with experience. The man is not well and he is taking the whole country down with him. Why attack Canada with harsh language, bad jokes, tariffs and regular insults? Because he is weak and lashes out like a four year old when he does not get his way. Canada is a sovereign nation and will not do whatever Trump commands. So he gets mad.

The war of choice he started with Iran is not going well so he is trying to change the subject away from himself and the rest of the Epstein class and on to something else, anything else. To our troops in the Persian Gulf region it is very much a war, whether he or J.D. Vance or anyone else in the administration says it is one or not. To cement his support of the American Armed Forces facing danger to support his war, he brushed the whole thing off telling reporters that it is “small potatoes.” Small potatoes. Nothing to be bothered with. Not worth his attention — he’s got a ballroom and an arch to build. Important stuff. I am sure the families of those lost to the enemy appreciate his concern for his vanity projects rather than to their sons and daughters, wives and husbands and children. As of last week 794 members of our Armed Forces have been wounded. Do Trump, Hegseth, Vance and the rest of those propping up Trump really care? Have you heard a word since 5 May about the state of the war? No. Only Pablum from the guy in the Oval Office.

His whole persona is deteriorating. He thinks he is a king and acts like he is one and lashes out whenever an institution or individual does not bow in his presence. Am I exaggerating? No. Here is the clearest example yet.

At last night’s conclusion to the MAGA love fest that they called the Republican Mid-Term Convention, Trump closed the two-day event with a speech that included the following in his attempt to get them all out to vote. Trump had those in the half-full arena raise their right hand and repeat:

I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States, that loves us so much we can’t even breathe, that I will go out with my family, my friends. I’ll do it anyway, I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to and cheat like hell like they do.”

I am not comparing Trump to anyone, but I will point out an historical fact. In 1934 Adolf Hitler changed the oath of office for the military and government civilians from allegiance to the German Constitution to the Hitler Oath (Fuhrereid), unconditional obedience to him as a person rather than to the nation and its Constitution.

Not only is Trump getting the rabid MAGA crowd to swear an oath to him, he is making them promise to cheat on Election Day. The day before he promised five thousand dollars to every adult in the U.S. if they re-elected a Republican House and Senate. A bribe or a reward? You decide. Oh by the way, the Republicans already have control of the House, Senate and Presidency. Why not pay it out now? Gosh, it only comes to about 1.3 trillion dollars of taxpayer money. But what’s another trillion dollars in debt anyway? (You can put the money in the bank with your five thousand dollar DOGE refund, your two thousand dollar tariff benefit, your one thousand dollar “Obamacare” refund and all the other fabulous riches that Trump has promised. Wait. What? We never got any of those.)

Believe him when he says he is going to cheat. The election interference already started. It will get worse. Check your voter registration and please vote.

Hang in there. Remember our friends in Canada.

O Canada!

Posted: August 27, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Another ridiculous Truth Social post by our embittered president. He cannot control himself and acts like a spoiled two year old whenever he does not get what he wants. He is both embarrassing and dangerous.

On Thursday, Trump took his silly spat with Canada — silly, but costly — to another level by signing an Executive Order (EO) “officially” changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. Really — this is all the President of the United States has on his “to do” list? One would think that he might be focused on ending the war of choice against Iran, or helping to improve the economy or focusing on the fact that people are dying from the measles or a hundred other actions to actually help everyday Americans.

So typically Trumpian. This what the party formerly known as the Republican Party has become. Today, it is merely a rubber stamp for every inane idea he has in the moment. Can’t beat the Iranians? Attack Canada with twenty billion dollars in tariffs. Tariffs that Americans will pay. Not interested in Ukraine? Attack South Korea by cancelling critical national security exercises and praising North Korea’s ruthless dictator — a dictator that is supplying artillery shells and ten thousand troops to fight with the Russians against Ukraine. Not interested in NATO? Then praise Vladimir Putin — the same guy that is supplying Iran with drones and intelligence and targeting information to attack U.S. military forces.

His mad method of running our country is to attack, bully, extort, and vilify our (increasingly fewer) friends while praising, aiding and abetting our enemies. He denigrates our allies and praises our enemies. Not one sentient world leader trusts him or the United States to do the right thing. They have figured out that there is a new world order, and to much of the world, that order does not include the United States of America. They must and will plan without us into the future. As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week in describing the negotiations with the U.S.,

“We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. We have pursued every opportunity to reach an agreement that protects Canadian workers and their families, that strengthens our economy, and that respects Canadian sovereignty. We have been under no illusions. We recognized from the start that America has changed. Early last year, I observed that the decades-long process of steadily increasing integration between our economies was over. Our government understood, before many, that America would transform all its commercial relationships. That it would put a series of tariffs on its closest allies and use economic integration as a weapon. That its signature was written in pencil.“

Our signature is written in pencil. In other words, as a partner, we are erratic, untrustworthy, unreliable, inconsistent and irresponsible. The U.S. has lost the very things that have served us so well in the post-World War II era.

It is no surprise to learn that Canada is reciprocating by placing twenty billion dollars of tariffs on U.S. goods. It will be painful for both countries economically, not to mention the impact on our longest and most trusted friendship and alliance. If the Canadians really want to make an impact, consider that Canada supplies 99% of our natural gas imports, 85% of our electricity imports, and 60% of crude oil imports. Those crude oil imports go to refineries in the American Midwest that were specifically built to refine Canadian crude and cannot be used as currently configured to refine oil from other sources. Several northern states get their electricity directly from Canada. Oh, by the way. Ever hear of the Welland Canal? That is the twenty-seven mile long canal that connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie to bypass the Niagara River (Niagara Falls). It runs through Ontario, Canada. Close that to U.S. ships and trade on the Great Lakes comes to a crashing halt. They could really make us hurt. So far, they have not. But one cannot really blame them if Trump continues to antagonize them that they will up the ante.

There was already an agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico (called the USMCA in the U.S. and CUSMA in Canada) that Trump in his first term called “the largest, most significant, modern, and balanced trade agreement in history.” It replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). What happened to the USMCA? I would suggest the Epstein Files, the Iran fiasco, affordability, and the looming blue tsunami of the upcoming mid-term elections. He needed a distraction so why not pick on our best friend?

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is facilitating Trump’s worst instincts. Chief Justice John Roberts lifted a stay on the construction of the East Wing at the White House. He ruled that construction can continue while the case to stop construction works its way through the system (lower courts had stopped it). While only a “technical” ruling, no time frame was given for the case to be heard by the entire Court. It could be days, it could be months, meaning Trump will get his ballroom. Remember that he claims it is a national security requirement. This week the Washington Post revealed, thanks to former White House officials, that a secret (well, it was until the article was published) complex already exists under the White House. Started after the terrorist attacks on 11 September, it was completed during the Obama administration. It is built for continuity of government purposes, has months of food and water and can withstand a nuclear blast. But Trump will get his ballroom.

On another “technicality” the Supreme Court issued an “emergency” 6-3 decision in Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, ET AL v California, ET AL involving the United States Postal Service (USPS) and mail-in voting. Trump signed an E.O. that designated the USPS as the administrative body for determining who could vote by mail and who could not. In essence, the states must submit lists of eligible voters, which will be compared to a list put together by the federal government (Trump’s agents) and the USPS will only mail ballots to approved voters. If states fail to submit their voter lists (which the law suit claims is protected under the Constitution) then no mail-in ballots at all will be delivered by the Post Office in that state. There are other provisions such as prosecuting election officials if even one ineligible person votes and other elements designed to suppress the vote and give Trump officials the opportunity to decide who votes and who does not. It is blatantly un-Constitutional even to this non-attorney. We are supposed to be calm because experts point out that this is merely a procedural technicality and of course the Supreme Court will rule against it. In sum, the Court claims that the states’ sued too early. Supposedly they cannot claim damage until actually damaged — which seems like a huge Catch-22 and makes no sense at all to me. Forgotten in the discussions is that some states, such as North Carolina, begin distributing ballots in early September. Time is of the essence if we are to avoid chaos and uncertainty — but of course that is the point of all of this. Trump will use every tool in the box to disrupt the elections. Recall that the Supreme Court found his use of tariffs un-Constitutional and yet that did not stop him from imposing them anyway, just under a different statute. Back to court again and so on and so forth.

I do not think that the courts can move fast enough to react to (much less prevent) the tremendous mischief he will pursue that is intended to disrupt the election. The bigger the chaos and disruption, the greater voters will become confused and perhaps not vote and the bigger the confusion the more likely Trump and his minions are to declare the election invalid. For example, Fulton County (Atlanta) in Georgia returns Senator Jon Ossof to his seat, but the federal government declares that fraud or some other crime was committed, confiscates the ballots and voting machines, and without those votes, Ossof’s opponent wins. We are only limited by our imaginations, but I would focus on “blue” cities in “red” states to watch for the shenanigans.

It seems that most of Trump’s energy — the little that he seems to have — is focused on his vanity projects and turning against his perceived enemies. If Trump cannot have it, he will destroy it. Be it tariffs or monuments. He is still trying to put his name on the Kennedy Center and now, in court in front of a magistrate, the Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that if Trump’s name is not on the building, then it will be torn down and there will be a new use of the space. The aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) currently under construction may not come to be. Credible sources report that the first aircraft carrier named for a black Sailor and the first Enlisted Sailor so honored should be renamed after Trump — according to Trump. “Dorie” Miller was a hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor, winning the Navy Cross — the first black man to achieve it — who was later killed in action in 1943. Trump got five deferments during the Viet Nam War for bone spurs. The same guy that, according to the New York Times analysis of the Epstein Files so far, has his name or Mar-a-Lago or other associations mentioned over 38,000 times. No wonder the DOJ is working overtime to cover it up.

We are in big trouble. The America we knew and the world respected is gone. When this nightmare is over, and one way or another it will be at some point, we cannot go back to the way it was. The way it was is what got us to someone like Trump. We and the world can never be sure that there will not be another Trump if we do not put in place the actual checks and balances and laws that we thought would protect us. They did not.

While all of this was going on we lost a truly kind person. Dolly Parton died after a short bout with cancer. Whatever you thought of her as a performer, she knew who she was, stayed true to herself, was a prolific philanthropist and by all accounts a truly kind person. Kindness is in short supply these days, and we just lost a little more of it with her passing.