Christmas Blog Break - I'll Be Back Dec. 27th

Dear readers, it's time to step away from the keyboard and take a holiday break.

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

I'll be back on Dec. 27th to rant and rave about the Year in Review. 

Meanwhile I invite you to look to the right of this page and preview past posts archived back to 2018. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page and look to the right, you'll see a link to my other blog - The Creative Chronicles of Dave Stancliff featuring poetry and original fiction stories.

I wrote a Sunday column for a daily newspaper in Eureka, California for about five years. Here's a link to The Times-Standard.

As it Stands, thank you for stopping by.

My 2025 Christmas Wish List (Warning Harsh Words Ahead)

All I want for Christmas is:

#1- That asshole Trump to be impeached and imprisoned.

AND

- The First Felon's entire Cabinet impeached and imprisoned.

- The war against black and brown people to stop. And for Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to be sent to El Salvador's infamous prison after they are both impeached.

- Trump's name off of the Kennedy Center.

- Trump's name off of the Institute of Peace.

- For the Supreme Court to stop furthering the MAGA agenda.

- For Americans under Trump's sway to suddenly become enlightened and cast him from their lives and embrace truth over lies.

- An end to the chaos in our country that Trump has created.

- A new awakening in the land where neighbors don't fear their neighbors.

- For libraries to stay open and reject any attempts at banning books.

- For Congress to undergo a transformation where our elected lawmakers actually work for the people... not Don the Con.

- For the rest of the free world not to give up on us because we have a lunatic leader. He won't be there forever.

- Is for the Epstein Files to have a smoking gun (several would be nice) incriminating Donny without a doubt.

As it Stands, I actually have two lists. One for the naughty and one for the nice. I'm still working on the nice one.

Ahoy! Matey! GOP Senator Proposes Maritime Version of the Proud Boys

Here we go again.

It's MAGA cosplay time.

This edition features far-right Senator Mike Lee introducing a bill allowing private citizens to play pirates and to seize Venezuelan ships.

What Lee is proposing is nothing more than a maritime version of the Proud Boys turned loose in international waters.

What could possibly go wrong?

Are you kidding me?

Let's back up for a moment and see where the inspiration for this crazy idea came from. Little known fact: American piracy is permitted by the U.S. Constitution with government approval. Who knew?

During the 1700s, following the founding of the nation, when the British had the most powerful navy in the world, the founders essentially state-sanctioned piracy. They issued a "writ" or commission called a Letter of Marque which was basically a get out of jail free card.

Later, during the War of 1812 against Britain "writs" were handed out to anyone with a ship and a grudge against England.

Back to the present.

Today, the United States is considered to have the strongest navy in the world. As Trump put it, "...we have the greatest armada in the world off the coast of Venezuela." 

So why commission pirates when the largest aircraft carrier in the world and its accompanying fleet, are already there?

I'll tell you why, Lee is counting on the ignorance of the populace to pass his bill, which he calls The Cartel Marque and Reprisal Reauthorization Act. The idea is for private citizens and groups (note groups) in defending America from cartels at sea.

I can just see a ship with a Trump flag flying and full of far-right luminaries cruising around in international waters looking for trouble. Nothing to worry about with that crew defending freedom, right?

The way I look at it, Trump is the equivalent of a Somali pirate for illegally seizing two Venezuelan oil tankers and murdering 104 people in small boats. No quarter given. This is just another example of Trump minions trying to impress dear leader.

You know the world is upside down right now when you have a lawmaker announcing he's fine with pirates and murder. In normal times Lee would have been laughed out of the chamber for proposing such lunatic legislation.

Of course, these are not normal times, ever since Trump got into politics and infused them with his special poison.

I can't help wondering if Lee has been following Kristi Noem's cosplay characters and it inspired him to come up with playing pirates.

As it Stands, I think I'm immune to being shocked by the stupid things MAGA morons do for the First Felon.

'Sucking Up' is a Sport in the Trump Regime

It's just another day of Republicans competing to see who can embarrass themselves the most by crawling up Trump's colon and singing his praises.

Listen to Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, tell Fox News host John Roberts that Trump's "mathematically impossible" claim he's cutting drug prices by 600% is actually correct.

It was a surprise to me to hear Robert's grilled Lutnick and told him that cutting something by 100% would mean that a customer gets their medication for free. 

"Well, if you cut something by 100 percent, the cost goes down to zero," Roberts explained. "If you cut it by four five or 600 percent, the drug companies are actually paying you to take their product. So, it raises the question, how much of Trump's Wednesday night speech was hyperbole and how much was fact?"

What was Lutnik's response? Believe it or not he laughed and said "no." His comeback was as lame as you can get, "It depends on how you look at it" he claimed while smiling stupidly at Roberts and the TV viewers.

This recent exchange is part of an ongoing effort among Trump minions to see who can hold their breath the longest while their head is inserted up his anus. It's like a sport, but there are no winners. Just losers praising a dictator who demands complete loyalty.

Every now and then Trump calls for a full cabinet meeting where each member heaps praise on the convicted felon hoping to stay in his good graces. It's like a mini-Olympics with each contestant abasing themselves for the glory of dear leader. It's pathetic but true.

Cabinet Meetings are a Spectar Sport.

Before watching one of these suck-up marathons I advise keeping a barf bag nearby as one official after another obsequiously kowtows to Trump. They stroke his paper machete ego and try to prevent their emotionally incontinent strongman from having a meltdown.

The cowardly cabinet members are given the opportunity to competitively slobber over Trump with melodramatic praise. This should come as no surprise to us all as most of the cabinet members came from Fox News. 

These empty-headed grifters are the anchors of Trump's carefully curated misinformation universe, many of whom know they are speaking directly to an audience of one, like a hive mind responding to the queen bee.

Trump's campaign of terror against innocent people has made America what he always wanted it to be - a last choice destination for immigrants - a place you would migrate to if you literally had no other choice.

Perhaps Trump's biggest evil achievement is the way he's reduced the Republican party into a collection of clowns who look forward to performing at his cabinet meetings.

As it Stands, I can see future historians scratching their heads while trying to make sense of these humiliating "suck-up" sessions. 

Welcome to that Dystopian Future You Always Feared

It's here.

Every dark dystopian prediction that writers and political pundits have predicted is upon us like a black cloud across the country. Americans are unwilling participants watching Trump's corruption foul every branch of government and their lives.

The first felon has a lot of plans for next year's 250th Anniversary of our nation. Buckle up and I'll share some of the events that are planned by Don the Con to glorify his regime under the guise of celebrating American Independence.

One of the larger events involves a man and a woman from each state and territory being summoned to the nation's capital to battle it out before a national audience.

A so-called sporting event called "Patriot Games" will be one of next year's low lights and if it sounds to you more like a plot from Suzanne Collins' dystopian book series "The Hunger Games" you're not alone.

I don't even want to think what the competitions will involve.

There's a slate of events for next year that's being organized by Freedom 250, a supposedly non-partisan organization that was appointed by Trump minions. 

The group promises to, "...cherish our God-given freedoms and build the Golden Age of Opportunity for the next 250 years." Trump's gold gilded ballroom will be an example of what Americans can look forward to.

There will be a "Spirit of America" parade honoring fallen soldiers despite the national holiday we already have. It's called Memorial Day. Let's hope it's not another embarrassing sad-assed parade like Trump's Birthday gala earlier this year.

Speaking of birthdays, Donny's got a bigly event planned for his next June 14th when the White House is going to host a UFC fight on the White House's South Lawn, marking both flag day and his 80th birthday. 

It would mark the first time that the White House hosted a sporting event... demeaning the People's House in a display of savagery best suited for arenas built for that purpose.

I'm skeptical about Trump's version of the "Great American State Fair" another event to take place on the White House grounds with exhibits from all 50 states. Don't be surprised if each state exhibits golden Trump statues forged by patriotic election denying MAGA minions.

From Margaret Atwood's terrifying misogynist dystopia, The Handmaid's Tale, to George Orwell's 1984 a vision of a totalitarian government is coming true. 

Aldous Huxley who presented a future where the World Controllers have created the ideal society, is particularly chilling where people are happy consumers, kept docile with a sinister mix of genetic engineering, brainwashing and the use of recreational sex and drugs.

We're already in living in Ray Bradbury's book Fahrenheit 451 where books are burned/banned and intellectual thought is illegal.

With Trump guiding our futures there's not a lot to celebrate right now as all Americans go into survival modes and hope - beyond hope - the Age of Trump will quickly end.

As it Stands, to my utter dismay dystopian fiction and fact have collided in the 21st century.

Raccoon to the Rescue: A Much-Needed Relief

I often look for funny stories to share as a relief to all of the bad news that comes out daily. 

It's not easy looking for comic relief when the country is under assault from the Trump regime. The stories are out there, however. Here's one:

Recently a racoon made national news because he broke into a liquor store and got drunk. 

Somehow a racoon came through the ceiling of a liquor store in a strip mall and wreaked havoc in the liquor aisle breaking dozens of bottles on the floor and lapping up their contents. When he was discovered the next day the store owner found him passed out in the bathroom. His chubby little body was splayed out in a classic drunken stupor.

I don't know about you, but I think raccoons are charming little bandits, but I'm careful not to get too close (if they're in the wild) because they have razor sharp claws and dagger-like teeth. It's okay to look and laugh just don't mistake their cute appearance for being docile creatures.

Seeing as how we are discussing racoons I have to give kudos to Paul McCarthy who wrote and sang Rocky Raccoon. It's on the Beatles White Album that came out in 1968. I confess it has nothing to do with a real raccoon. The main character's name was Rocky Raccoon. But it was a fun song. Here's the opening lyrics.

"Now somewhere in the black mining hills of Dakota

There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon

And one day, his woman ran off with another guy

Hit young Rocky in the eye

Rocky didn't like that

He said, 'I'm gonna get that boy'

So, one day, he walked into town

Booked himself a room in the local saloon..."

I know. That was a stretch, but in fairness I bet a lot of pet raccoons were named Rocky after the album came out.

If you would like to read some raccoon stories that are clever, interesting, comical, and entertaining I reccomend visiting the Wimberley Valley Forums online at VisitWimberly.com.

Here's a fun fact, a raccoon lived in the White House as a pet to President Calvin Coolidge.

Here's another: The Maine Coon is half cat and half raccoon and is one of the oldest feline breeds in North America.

Q - What do you call a group of raccoons?

A - A nursey or a gaze.

Q - What do you call a baby raccoon?

A - A kit.

Q - What do you call a female raccoon?

A - A sow.

Q - What do you call a male raccoon?

A - A boar.

As it Stands, we all deserve a break today from the chaos that's happening across the country.

Jack Smith Tells Congress He Has Proof Trump Tried to Overthrow Election Results - Crickets

Somewhere, behind closed doors in a secret room Wednesday morning, former special counsel Jack Smith told a committee he had found "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" that Trump engaged in a "criminal scheme" to overturn the 2020 election.

We know this because his opening statement was obtained by NBC News. Beyond that no one knows what was said or what questions were asked. 

Despite repeated requests to publicly testify Trump's lapdogs refused to let him. Their fear is palpable that the public will be outraged when they hear solid evidence that Trump is a traitor.

Since Day One of his second term, Trump has been going after everyone involved in investigating his attempt to overthrow a legitimate election result. 

Jack Smith has been Trump's main target along with all of the investigators in the DOJ and FBI who worked on Trump's attempted subversion of the Constitution.

Smith testified that his team turned up "powerful evidence that showed Trump willfully retained highly classified documents after he left office in Jan. 2021, storing them at his social club, including in a bathroom and a ballroom where events and gatherings took place."

The committee however wasn't interested in hearing about Volume II of Smith's report and instead they brought up their latest conspiracy theory about nine Republicans who supposedly had their phones illegally "tapped" by Smith.

Let's step back a moment to look at the House Oversight Committee that insisted on a closed-door grilling that's chaired by one of Trump's most spineless minions, locker room pervert Jim Jordan.

Going back further in time we know the fix was in when a Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified documents case and the 2020 election interference case prior to his re-election.

Cannon also banned the release of the reports, as well as "any information or conclusions in Volume II of Smith's final report should not be made public."

Why? Because the reports were damning evidence.

Since then, Trump has been on a crusade against everyone who exposed his corruption and lies. He's weaponized the Department of Justice, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and every other government agency in his pursuit of absolute power.

I still find it hard to believe that the Republican party is so afraid of Trump their willing to violate the Constitution and every law in the land. They're all cowards who are only concerned with protecting dear leader and their own asses.

As it Stands, despite all of Trump's efforts to whitewash his corruption the truth is still out there and documented in numerous videos, investigative documents, and taped testimonies. His lunatic legacy is already in the history books.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall - Who is the Vilest of them All?

He stands in front of a mirror admiring himself every morning.

His face is chalk white but will soon be a garish bronze after he slathers on his secret tan for tyrants. 

He tries to whistle while squeezing into his clothes but only a ribbon of drool runs down his too long red tie.

While patting down the bird's nest on his head he applies foundation makeup to his tiny hand, slathering it on so thick it looks like wet cement. He's ready for the day.

He's in fine form as he spews a sick rant on his failing website attacking Rob Reiner and his wife after they were brutally murdered by their son. 

He claimed Rob died because he had Trump Derangement Syndrome. The vile screed he posted horrified conservatives and liberals across the country. What kind of man would say such evil things?

He's the kind of man who is a malicious narcissist who knows he can get away with saying anything and not be held to account. He truly believes he's above the law. He's a bully and a coward. He mocks morality. He despises the truth. 

He holds Cabinet meetings where simpering sycophants praise him and enable him to run rampant over the Constitution and people's freedoms. He brazenly lies in public and doubles down when called out for his falsehoods.

Rejecting reality has become an art form where his cult coddles him and gleefully accepts his version of the world despite evidence to the contrary. He's created an alternate universe that's poisoned the minds of millions.

A typical day for him involves bragging about his projects like building a massive ballroom that will dwarf the White House or constructing a triumphal arch (celebrating his achievements) on the National Mall. 

Daily briefings about the current state of affairs nationally and internationally are play time for the easily bored narcissist where staffers share photos, cartoons, memes, and very brief notes while gently shaking him awake from time to time.

Sometimes he talks about heaven which inspires him so much that he started a new grift asking supporters to send him money to pave the way to the pearly gates. His lunatic followers think he's the second coming of Jesus which pleases his black heart.

Political pundits are amazed that he gets away with saying despicable things every day with little pushback from the Republican party which has dissolved into a corrupt cult.

Every time people think that he's gone too far - that he crossed the Rubicon or a red line - he does something even more vile astonishing the world with his hateful habits and cruel racist actions. 

We must understand that there is no low that is too low for the man who admires himself in the mirror every day in the White House.

As it Stands, Trump's legacy of lunacy is going to take years to disappear... if it ever does.

Getting into the Spirit of the Holidays is Not Easy but It's Possible

Where is the holiday spirit? 

It seems to be hiding this season with Christmas only 10 days away.

I've been looking across the country for signs of people joyfully celebrating this time of religious holidays. I've been dutifully trying to catch the holiday spirit in a bottle so that I can share it with everyone. It isn't easy.

Can you remember the last time the holiday spirit was everywhere? When there was a feeling of joy, excitement, and goodwill to all at this time of the year? It wasn't that long ago.

It's hard watching families hiding in their homes because the government's Grinch-like minions who are hunting them down like animals with no rights. I see fear in people's eyes where there should be hope. The economy is staggered as millions of Americans face food and housing challenges.

Despite the numerous challenges Americans are facing... the holiday spirit is still attainable.

We can still find joy in the true spirit of the season by giving - not just gifts, but kindness, compassion, and support for those in need. Helping others brings joy and it strengthens the fabric of our community. That's very important in these troubled times.

To help get yourself in the holiday spirit spread kindness and give back by volunteering, donating to charity, or (my favorite) performing random acts of kindness for others. 

The spirit of the holidays is found in seeking peace and forgiveness, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in acts of reconciliation between adversaries.

The holiday season can also provide a welcome respite from the pressures of daily life. It's simple to get sucked into the daily commotion and chaos, whether brought on by job demands, school, or other obligations.

It's critical to appreciate this particular time of the year and remember the seasons' deeper meaning: one of appreciation. It just takes a minute to be grateful for everything we have and to acknowledge the people and experiences that make our lives enjoyable and meaningful.

As it Stands, I wish you happy holidays filled with love and hope.

'Wacky Tobacky' to the Rescue: Americans Dealing with Trump's Corruption

I was talking with a friend the other day about how stressful our society is under the Trump regime. 

In conversations with relatives and friends the subject is often how do we deal with all the shit coming out of the White House?

Keeping one's sanity and fighting off depression has become a common challenge in this country. Daily attacks against our democracy are wearing people down. Hope of salvation from the madness in the nation has become a dream some worry will never happen.

How we deal with this black cloud that has settled over the country is important. Mass protests. Legislation. Elections. And how we personally fight off the blues could fill a library with options.

Today I'm writing about how marijuana can help alleviate your worries when they seem insurmountable. Make no mistake. I'm not suggesting smoking weed will turn your life around. 

Look at it as a temporary fix that helps your attitude and also your health with numerous studies showing relief from Cancer treatments to relaxing tight muscles.

If you've tried Wacky Tobacky (as my dad, use to call it when he saw me smoking pot) then it's a matter if you like it or not. Not everyone thinks weed can be helpful.

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Quick Facts:

- Recent polls from 2023-2024 show that approximately 15% to 17% of Americans are currently smoking marijuana, representing tens of millions of people. 

- About half of all Americans report having tried marijuana at some point in their lives.

- A 2022 report estimated 17.7 million people use marijuana daily or near-daily, surpassing the number of alcohol drinkers for the first time on record.

- While smoking is the most prevalent form of cannabis consumption (80% of users), eating and vaping are also common. 

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To be sure, weed has always been a controversial subject but it's acceptance now has reached an all-time high (pun intended).

I prefer marijuana over alcohol which was never a good alternative for me because I got rowdy and did stupid things. I also know I'm not going to get liver cancer by puffing on my favorite strain.

When you think about the side effects of a good pot high it's worth it. You relax. You laugh. You're not agressive. It helps with muscle pain and stomach disorders. All positive effects that will help you cope with the daily chaos of Trump tearing down the country (literally) and violating the Constitution.

As it Stands, Wacky Tobacky is just another alternative to coping with the world we live in today. 

Is a Photo Worth a Thousand Words? What do the Recently Released Epstein Photos Tell Us?

In the ongoing saga over exposing the entire collection of the controversial Epstein files there's a new chapter featuring 95,000 photos made public today by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.

The photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world.

The images of Trump include one featuring a younger Trump posing for a photo with two women on one side and three women on his other side wearing what looked to be artificial Hawaiian leis. Their girls' faces have been redacted. 

The old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words sounds reasonable but it doesn't appear to apply to this latest batch of photos that could have been taken anywhere. Without a serious forensic investigation into each photo - like establishing where the locations were - the photos are nothing more than a novelty and a source of rumors worldwide.

Let's face it. Nothing in the massive collection of photos seems to be incriminating. Yet. The idea that the Trump regime purged damning evidence against Trump is well founded. Reports of Epstein file purges taking Trump's name and image out have been going on for months. Knowing how corrupt this regime is more than supports the supposition that there's a coverup going on.

On the surface it might sound like a victory in the battle waged to expose everything in the Epstein files was won. Leering headlines like "Newly released photos from Epstein estate include images of Trump, Clinton, are popping up like party favors in the mainstream media and online. Just the implications are enough to make the story clickbait on any forum.

When I saw the Democrats press release it struck me as odd, they touted finding only 19 photos from a cache of more than 95,000 photos turned over to them from the Epstein properties. 

Perhaps that's all they discovered by press time and there's more to come in the near future as they are examined by the committee. I hope so, because what they've shared thus far isn't exactly groundbreaking evidence against Trump.

The images came from a hard drive on one of Epstein's personal computers and one of his email accounts, according to the committee.

My next question is how many other Epstein personal computers are there? Why only release information from one when the other computers could actually contain some bombshells?

I suspect that Trump cronies have already covered his tracks using bribes and threats to stop any incriminating information from getting out.

While the Democrats are serious about exposing Trump's sexual activities with under-age girls, they are fighting an uphill battle without weapons.

Until the Democrats regain the House and Senate next November, they can only keep the topic alive. Apparently, there were three photos depicting sexual paraphernalia, but no people. Those photos could be a connecting clue that has yet to be unraveled.

As it Stands, the Epstein Trump narrative isn't just going to go away because even his minions want to know the whole story. Instead, the scandal will be like a permanent tattoo on his obese body.

How Far is this Going to Go? Americans Facing More Than One Constitutional Crisis

What's the final tipping point before utter chaos consumes America and democracy finally dies under a sea of lies?

Will it be a war in South America - or somewhere else in the world - that triggers a nuclear holocaust after involving other countries like Russia who back Venezuela's current regime which Trump is preparing to overthrow by use of force from the land, sea, and sky?

Congress has been reduced to a helpless bystander under Trump's authoritarian regime. The balance of power that once existed in our republic has been dissolved into a dictatorship supported by Trump's billionaire buddies in and out of government.

Americans' freedoms and rights are being challenged every day with the help of a corrupt majority in the Supreme Court which has all but crowned Trump a king. 

Sadly, there's nothing that can be done to those hard-right justices because they have lifetime appointments. And Trump's vile regime is in lockstep with those Conservative traitors.

Trump has weaponized the Department of Justice, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous other agencies to further his authoritarian agenda. 

We see examples daily as American cities are turned into battle grounds with illegally appointed national guard units and the misuse of the active military to intimidate citizens.

When I wake up in the morning the first thing that comes to mind is, "What horrible thing has Trump done to hurt more Americans today?"

Over that first cup of coffee my wife and I try to make sense of news reports that are often full of misinformation. The truth of what's really happening in our stressed-out society requires research and common sense. We don't take anything for granted.

I have this nagging feeling something really big is going to happen that will change all of our lives. I can't tell if it will be good or bad.

This is not a prediction post... it's more like a reminder that the chaos can't continue without some consequences.

As it Stands, "Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty and dies with chaos." - Will Durant

A Traumatized American Public is Pushing Back Against Trumpism

I know. It's bad out there. 

And I don't just mean the weather.

Trump's all-out assault against every law in the books has created a nightmare landscape across the country threatening freedoms we all once took for granted. 

The average American is locked into a war where there are no rules, and the rich have inherited the bulk of the nation's wealth and power. 

Truth is a rusty concept and lies shine brightly through right-wing media platforms - which are growing in numbers daily while the legacy media continues to shrink.

Democratic run major cities, from coast to coast, have become battlefields thanks to Trump's ICE immigration invasion of thugs wearing masks, carrying automatic weapons, and making people illegally disappear into a system of concentration camps or deporting them to another nation without a chance to defend themselves.

Surging active military and national guard troops into states has turned cities into living hellscapes where laws don't apply and morality is mocked.

After 11 months of a growing authoritarian state a majority of Americans have awakened to the threat Trump poses and are pushing back anyway they can. 

Sometimes it's the courts safeguarding laws and the rest of the time we the people are protesting the corrupt regime with historically large rallies in all 50 states.

Recent court setbacks for the regime.

- A judge ordered Trump to end California's National Guard occupation in Los Angeles yesterday.

Finally, after over ten months of court battles this nightmare ends.

- In spite of the regime's determined effort to conceal the Jeffrey Epstein grand jury records from the 2019 case a New York judge ordered them released today.

- Another New York judge has demanded the release of Ghislaine Maxwell's grand jury records which the regime has been loath to give up.

With 530 lawsuits filed in 2025, Trump faces historic battles, Supreme Court rulings, and challenges to his executive power. 

According to the Institute for Policy Integrity, Trump's administration has failed nearly 93% of the time when its agency actions have been challenged in court - typically for violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. 

Trump's Toughest Challenge is the economy. Despite claiming "affordability" is a democratic hoax people in the real world know differently. There's a huge gap between wages and the cost of essentials; food, rent, utilities, and medical care costs have surged, outstripping pay raises.

With Trump's successful seizure of every branch in our government it's like David versus Goliath. The odds seem insurmountable but if you recall the story, it was David who won that deadly confrontation.

As it Stands, call me silly, but I believe there's a lot of Americans who care about their freedoms enough to defeat the malicious narcissist in the Oval Office and his minions.

Why People Are Betting Money Trump releases Secret UFO Files Soon

Timing is everything in politics.

On Dec. 19th a new federal law goes into effect and the Department of Justice has to fulfil its promise to declassify and release the Epstein files and a range of other sensitive files.

Based upon recent ploys to detract from the Epstein files being released I think I've discovered the latest diversionary tactic coming from the regime's propaganda ministry. It's an oldie but a goodie.

Anytime between now and Dec. 19th Trump is going to announce the release of all the secret UFO files the government has accumulated over the decades and reveal what he knows about alien life.

My clue comes from Polymarket, a popular online prediction platform where people bet on the outcomes of real-world events, such as elections, sports, or even UFO sightings, using cryptocurrency, turning speculation into a crowd-sourced probability meter.

A wagering pool on Polymarket called "Trump declassifies UFO files in 2025?" has mysteriously exploded with activity, rising to over $7 million bet, shifting the odds from six percent "Yes" on Dec. 6 to a staggering 98 percent this morning.

The sudden surge in betting volume, likely fueled by rumors, insider tips, and viral buzz, is causing the share prices to rocket as more people pile in on the "Yes" side.

Let's back up a moment.

Who do you think released the rumor of this big revelation? I think it was an insider in the White House... namely Don the Con. The whole distraction has Trump's tiny fingerprints smudged all over it. Rigging a market. Cryptocurrency. Rumors meant to divert attention away from his corruption. It's a classic Trump production.

Another giveaway that the Big Reveal is not real is the fact that Trump could have released the files anytime he felt like it. Perhaps he was holding the scheme in his immense back pocket with a collection of other future diversions. Regardless, he apparently thinks it's time to roll out his latest dog and pony show.

I see that as another sign of desperation. Each diversion has to be more dramatic than the last one to keep his minions in Congress in line. It seems to be working thus far.

Rumors are circulating like tsetse flies over infected cattle throughout the UK that Trump is going to be the "Disclosure president" and expose the contacts Americans have had with aliens and recovered spaceships.

In fact, UFO researcher and filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee told the Daily Mail he is convinced the recent trading in favor of Trump releasing UFO files has been sparked by someone within the White House.

As it Stands, not a bad guess, I'd say.

Supreme Sellout: Pretend Propaganda Protected by Court

Is pretend propaganda a 21st century innovation? 

Not really.

Ignoring what's happening in the real world goes back to ancient kingdoms where rulers lived like pretend gods. Civilizations have rose and fell based upon myths and origin stories straight from men's imagination.

To be clear, pretend propaganda is being pushed by Trump and his cronies to the point of perversion. Reality and evidence have no place in Trump's thoughts and actions. Nor do equality and liberty for all.

The real horror behind these denials of reality is that the Supreme Court has a conservative gridlock that intends to cement an authoritarian rule by subverting past precedents and by twisting the Constitution around like a pretzel and handing more power to Trump.

As I write this post the Supreme Court appears poised to side with Trump and allow him to fire a member of the Federal Trade Commission without cause. The idea is to upend the long-standing concept (for 90 years) of independent federal agencies.

The current plan is to give Trump more power than the founders ever envisioned. This ruling, should it go in Trump's favor, is going to affect a host of other agencies set up by Congress with similar removeable restrictions. 

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three liberal members of the court, argued against giving Trump even more power than he already has. "You're asking us to destroy the government and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent," she accused Trump's lawyer.

Government bodies set up by Congress to be independent of the president have been a particular focus of the Trump regime. Many of those agencies wield considerable regulatory power and have long been loathed by Trump's wealthy friends.

Last week the regime added Trump's name to the sign of the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, a private organization created by Congress. He also fired board members he didn't like with an appeals court allowing him to do so despite ongoing litigation.

The Supreme Court is facing considerable criticism over how it has frequently ruled in favor of Trump's agenda, but the Conservatives on the court simply don't care. They're busy with paving the road to an authoritarian regime - where ironically - they'll no longer have a job when the takeover is complete.

As it Stands, the supreme sellout where justices pretend to uphold the Constitution and accept the Trump regimes propaganda is an ongoing assault on American's freedoms. 

Sleepy Joe Was an Energizer Bunny Compared to Sleepy Don

Trump's habit of falling asleep during cabinet meetings and even public events is no secret to Americans. 

It's how people are responding that's interesting. 

Loyal cult followers are pretending that our eyes are lying when they act like it's perfectly normal for the president of the United States to not keep his eyes open in public settings. 

The most recent example is during the last Cabinet meeting when Dozing Don sat next to Marco Rubio who was heaping praise on him while a small sliver of drool trickled from the corner of his mouth and his eyes were glued shut. Rubio pretended to not notice the exhausted wanabee dictator slumped in the chair next to his.

If memory serves me Trump and his supporters made a big deal about Sleepy Joe - for four years - and how feeble President Biden was when he was in office. Trumplican puppets played that propaganda game with enthusiasm. They even came up with merch featuring Sleepy Joe on everything from t-shirts to coffee cups. Remember that?

How sweetly ironic then to see Trump outdoing Biden when it comes to keeping his eyes open during public appearances. It's no wonder Trump takes sudden naps during the day. He's up all night ranting on his Truth Social about windmills, Democrats, and his ballroom. For the record he's the oldest president we've ever had.

When Trump is awake it doesn't mean his brain is alert. He's been displaying increasing signs of dementia, and his body is failing on him. He can't walk a straight line, and his speech is so slurred at times no one knows what he's talking about.

His loyal lapdogs in Congress are well aware of his overall poor condition but they're so afraid of him they'd sacrifice family members to stay in his good graces. It's pathetic. It's hypocritical. It's also our reality with a rogue in The White House.

I admit enjoying seeing the numerously memes/GIFs of Joe Biden dancing around a sleeping Trump in the Oval Office. There are some really funny ones out there.

What's not funny is we have a mentally and physically deteriorating commander-in-chief catering to his wealthy friends and breaking every law in the books.

As it Stands, it's true that President Biden was showing signs of his age and was slowing down, but he was never as corrupt, racist, and anti-American as Trump is. 

Allies Become Enemies as Trump Brazenly Promotes Russia

Trump's love affair with Putin was formalized with America's new security strategy that appeases Putin and alienates our longtime allies in Europe. 

After the announcement of the new security strategy, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X: "Dear American friends, Europe is your closest ally, not your problem. And we have common enemies. At least that's how it has been in the last 80 years. We need to stick to this; this is the only reasonable strategy of our common security. Unless something has changed."

Something has changed. The president of the United States is a traitor who has turned the country into a burgeoning fascist state. 

A member of the European Parliament, Barry Andrews, publicly stated his concerns that Trump's new strategy supporting right-wing groups throughout Europe, is a clarion call for Europe to wake up.

Europe's leaders are recoiling against the cultural challenges and anti-immigration rhetoric used by Trump, with relations set to worsen as frictions continue over Ukraine. 

The fact of the matter is there's an imbalance of power in the 21st-century leaving Europe and NATO without the arms nor the wealth to impel Russia or the US to take peace settlements seriously. The world is watching the US favoring Russia in all of its negotiations to end the war.

It's also telling that Trump has refused to give arms to Ukraine since he slunk into power in his second term. There's a silver lining to this drama, however. NATO minus the US - is managing to frustrate Trump from making a sweetheart deal with Putin. The NATO allies' consistence dedication to this task hasn't been widely publicized for fear of provoking Trump, but it's impossible to miss.

Thus far, the European scramble on Ukraine's behalf has repeatedly managed to hold the line against Trump and Putin. It did so again this week when the Witkoff plan was tweaked before the Putin meeting.

For the record the West has frozen Russian assets, worth $253 billion. The turning point in the war could be if those assets ended up in Kyiv, instead of being returned to Moscow. Either way, NATO could prove to be yesterday's solution to tomorrow's threat.

Trump has reached a fateful fork in the road, where he must decide to choose between Europe and Ukraine on one hand, or Russia on the other. That moment is getting closer than any time since 1945. 

This looming tragedy may end up with a new world order consisting of fascist and totalitarian governments if NATO falters and can't hold back the enemies of Democracy.

As it Stands, because Trump is such a wild card no one can accurately predict which way he'll go - but if the present situation continues to deteriorate it looks good for Russia.

Crickets in the Press and White House - Not a Word About the Recent Assassination Attempt Against Zelensky

On Monday Dec.1st, Ukraine's President Zelensky's plane landed in Dublin, Ireland. If his flight would have arrived on time, it's likely he would have been assassinated.

What? You didn't hear about that? It's because America's so-called mainstream press basically ignored the whole story. Where all-cap headlines should have been on front pages nationwide there were none acknowledging this recent attempt on Zelensky's life.

What we know so far. A group of four drones entered, unidentified, military-style drones entered the no-fly zone and began circling over Dublin International Airport, according to reporting by The Telegraph newspaper.

Sources are reporting that the drones would have been directly in the flightpath of the plane carrying Zelensky if it had not taken off and landed in Dublin ahead of schedule.

After circling over the airport for a short time, the drones flew east, orbiting over a warship with the Irish Navy that had been secretly deployed to the Irish Sea ahead of the visit by Zelensky. 

He went there to address the Irish Parliament about the need for support for his struggling country against the Russian invasion. He also emphasized that only a dignified peace would provide real security.

Trump's latest peace plan brokered with the Russians was so one sided that European intelligence agencies leaked out that American Ambassador Witkoff's attempt to pressure Zelensky was a mockery. European powers have been closely monitoring Trump and Putin's unserious attempts to end the war.

So, here we are. Instead of covering such a huge story the legacy media has cravenly played down the murder attempt. My question is why? Has Trump's goal of controlling the media been successful after all? 

Meanwhile Trump just gave another gift to his dictator buddy Putin. He stopped imposing sanctions on the Russian multinational energy corporation Lukoil, extending a waiver authorizing Lukoil-branded gas stations throughout Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Americas until at least April 29, 2026.

The writing is on the wall for the whole world to see. Trump is never going to turn on his old pal Putin. Europe sees clearly that the U.S. can't be counted on to support Ukraine's sovereignty, so they are considering dumping $2,34 trillion in US debt if Trump abandons Ukraine, potentially triggering an economic crisis worse than 2008. 

Folks. This is serious business affecting millions of lives worldwide and here at home where we are stuck with the most corrupt president and administration in American history. 

Coverups are a common practice with this regime. We can no longer trust the legacy media but the independent media, like MeidasTouch, and Democracy Now online are providing truthful alternatives. I also recommend reading foreign newspapers across Europe to get a real feel on what's happening on the ground between Russia and Ukraine.

As it Stands, as a retired newspaper editor it grieves me to see the sad state that the American press has sunk to.   

Republican Women Going 'Woke?' What's Happening?

Why do women choose to be in the Republican party when the know that they will never achieve what their male counterparts will because of their gender?

This has always been a dirty secret in conservative circles where women are looked upon as inferior beings good only for bearing children and serving their husbands every desire.

I'm not going to take up a lot of space here with historical examples of how women have been marginalized - they're legion - and instead encourage you to spend some time researching the facts in our political history books. 

Today I'm sharing a current example of how Republican women are fed up with being treated like battered housewives.

A revolt has been brewing for months among the women representatives in the House who have reached the point of no return regarding their unfair treatment by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

In an unexpected development MAGA poster girl Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she was retiring early - in January - because of Johnson's lack of leadership and bias against women in general.

 Greene has publicly accused the current male GOP leaders of bias, telling The Washington Post in a recent interview she believes GOP women have been "marginalized."

Hardliner Nancy Mace is rumored to be considering retiring early because of decisions Johnson's made that were contrary to her beliefs and efforts in Congress. It's still a rumor, however.

What's not a rumor is a number of high-profile Republican women are fleeing the House for other opportunities, weighing retirement or quitting Congress early.

One of the big reasons is that Republican women have less representation in leadership and only hold a single elected committee gavel in the House of Representatives. 

At least four Republican women won't return in the next Congress, raising the possibility that the number of House Republican women could actually decline after the 2026 midterms.

All of this dissatisfaction is rooted in the fact that the Republican party has always struggled with the idea of elevating women into positions of power.

I see some irony if enough Republican women decide to leave the House early and MAGA Mike loses his speakership.

As it Stands, I see this whole situation as a matter of being awake to reality and a woke moment for those women representatives.

Gold-Loving Trump is a 21st Century Version of King Midas

What does Trump have in common with King Midas?

In Greek mythology, King Midas was known for his love of gold and being a rogue ruler whose antics bemused his people and irritated the Gods. 

Wannabee King Trump is also a rogue leader but instead of bemusing American citizens, he's on a mission to terrorize them if they don't bow before him.

King Midas and Trump are famous for their love of gold. Trump has redecorated the White House with so much gold trim it looks like a 19th century brothel. One political pundit commented that the White House looks like " a gilded rococo hellscape."

All of Trump's properties have gold gilded interiors. His cult members like to say he has a golden touch. 

So did King Midas... literally. He was granted a wish by Dionysus that everything he touched would turn into gold.

It didn't take long before Midas realized the consequences of his ill-thought wish. His food and his loved ones turned into gold when he touched them.

The moral of the story is those who are greedy to have more will lose everything they have. And remember what really matters and be careful what you wish for.

Unlike King Midas Trump's gold gathering experiences are ongoing and he hasn't suffered the consequences that the fabled king did. Yet.

In nearly all cultures gold represents luxury and wealth. It can also symbolize greed and excess.

Christopher Columbus once said, "Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world."

With visions of his golden ballroom dancing in his tiny brain, Trump loves nothing more than to show off his gold bars and gilded Oval Office to foreign visitors. 

As it Stands, it's too soon to decide what the moral is from Trump's story, but I suspect it'll involve being locked up in a padded room in a super max prison somewhere in El Salvador.

About Vetting: Trump Regime's Interpretation is Illegal

Under the Trump regime the word vetting has taken on a sinister meaning that you won't find in a dictionary.

When serial liars like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claim their actions in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific were lawful and vetted by military and civilian lawyers you have to wonder about who the lawyers are really loyal to. The Constitution or Trump?

Hegseth ordered a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, basically ignoring the Geneva Convention and a host of other international laws to murder the two survivors of the first strike while they clung to ship debris.

From the start Hegseth's military buildup in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific violated international laws. Hegseth has taken credit for everything that's happened thus far but now that there's a scandal unfolding, he's suddenly crediting Navy Admiral Mitch Bradley with ordering a controversial second strike on the two survivors.

Only a coward would pass the buck to avoid telling the truth.  Hegseth came out in a press conference praising Bradley, calling him an American hero, and crediting him "for acting within his authority and the law." 

When the Washington Post first reported the "double tap" hit the White House and Trump were caught off guard and in the following coverup conflicting stories emerged. Trump reportedly told the press he "wouldn't have wanted a second strike" while Hegseth and company went out of their way to claim it was righteous and lawful.

Meanwhile members of Congress became concerned about the whole event. Congress' top defense lawmakers said they would conduct oversight and gather facts before drawing any conclusions about what happened. 

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the panel would begin by seeking briefings from officials directly involved and echoed calls for the administration to release the video if it has nothing to hide.

Sen. Roger Wicker, the committee's Republican chair, said his panel would conduct its inquiry "by the numbers" and determine the "ground truth."

With a battery of loyal Trump lawyers interfering with the panel's efforts to get to the truth the odds aren't good any justice will come out of the inquires.

The controversy comes as Trump escalates pressure on Venezuela and weighs additional military options with his cabinet and cabal of larcenous lawyers.

As it Stands, Admiral Bradley has avoided making any public comments thus far, but it ought to be interesting when lawmakers interview him later this week.