Defending Democracy: Judges Who Push Back Against Corrupt DOJ

Looking at the totality of court cases brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) since Trump's second term one thing stands out; judges are increasingly fed up with the frivolous and unconstitutional lawsuits that the DOJ has filed in federal courts.

Here's one recent example of what I'm talking about.

A federal judge admonished the DOJ after finding that a legal filing in an immigration detention case appeared to cite a nonexistent court decision, suggesting the citation was likely generated by artificial intelligence, according to court filings on July 16th.

What makes this case so interesting is the judge was a Trump appointee (a rare case) who warned that AI-generated legal research has fueled a "rash of cases" involving fabricated authorities, noting that courts increasingly face briefs containing "fake, hallucinated cases that do not exist."

One of my theories is the DOJ has such incompetent lawyers they need any help they can get, and AI has become their latest backup. Others involve using Trump loyalists willing to lie and risk humiliation and worse to please Dear Leader. The above is one of many bogus filings used by the DOJ in their desperation to get convictions.

Let's take a look at the DOJ's track record since Trump slithered back to the White House.

The regime's success rate in court varies significantly by judicial level: there was significantly more pushback in lower federal courts, but the regime maintained a high win rate at the Supreme Court that Trump controls.

An analysis by the New York Times revealed that on final merits rulings, and plaintiffs challenging the regime's policies won 48 times and only lost 5 times, giving Trump a roughly 25% success rate on his initial policy challenges.

The regimes success rate improved at the circuit court level, to around 51% with Trump appointed judges voting in Trump's favor 92% of the time, according to the New York Times.

The most appalling statistic is Trump's ownership of the Supreme Court where he won about 90% of the cases testing the bounds of presidential power.

There's one statistic that is encouraging, however. Across all federal challenges to major regime rules, they prevailed in only 23% to 31% of cases. That's compared to past presential administrations DOJs that typically won in 70% of their cases.

I would also like to point out that the justice department has lost a quarter of its lawyers, the lowest number of employees in 40 years after Trump lackeys purged it. 

The best lawyers, with the longest tenure were shoved out the door when the Trump regime ascended to power last year. Now there's backlogs and staff shortages, with senior leaders looking for new jobs.

Epilogue.

Since its founding in 1870, the Justice Department has occupied elevated status in American democracy, sustained through transitions of power by reliance on facts, evidence and law. 

That's no longer the case.

As it Stands, democracy is still being defended by judges who risk threats from the regime for sticking to judicial standards that made this country great.

Trump's Prime Time Speech Was a Cry for Help

Did anyone really believe Trump's much anticipated prime time speech was going to have shocking evidence of election tampering in the 2020 presidential election?

After years of making false claims about the 2020 election that he lost being rigged one would think Trump had a smoking gun or two. That he would come out like a ringmaster parading such damning evidence Americans jaws would drop.

No one should have been surprised that THE SPEECH was a plea to believe in his Big Lie. To that end he pushed his SAVE America Act like a used car salesman trying to get someone gullible enough to buy a junker that doesn't even run.

Trump reminded me of a famous used car salesman in the 1960s and 70s in LA named Cal Worthington (Go Call Cal!). In every TV commercial he brought out an exotic animal like an elephant and called it his Dog Spot. It might be an alligator one time, or Zebra in his next commercial. Didn't matter. It was like an inside joke and helped sell a lot of used cars with questionable warrantees.

Trump looked just like Cal intent on selling Americans lies about our electoral system being rigged in 2020. I know it's not nice comparing a scoundrel like Cal with a convicted felon, sexual abuser, Pedophile, and con man, but there it is.

How about Trump's claim that China tried to undermine him in 2019? Let's put that in context. Russia, China, and Iran all pulled election propaganda stunts online with bots but... Trump's own administration at the time concluded none of them actually affected voting machines. 

I can't help wondering how this sudden accusation against China will go down with Chinese President Xi Jinping who is scheduled to visit Donnie on September 24. They'll probably compare notes and co-author a book called The Art of the Steal.

Seriously, I can't wait for Trump to humiliate himself by praising one of his favorite dictators and taking back his accusations when they actually meet.

Circling back to the sad spectacle Thursday night, Trump is desperate. He feels his power draining out of his tiny hands and people are laughing at him all the time now. 

You know what's funny? I didn't hear Trump talk about the significant cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including to its election work that he recently made. Must have been an oversight.

To be clear, there was no voter fraud in Fulton County, Georgia or any other states because they were litigated to death with 60 court cases right up to the Supreme Court. Not one iota of truth behind any of the claims was ever presented.

Yet here we go again. Another last-ditch effort to derail the midterms by dragging out old baseless lies that he still thinks most Americans will buy - despite his low polling numbers.

Trump had a whine time. He accused ABC, NBC, and CNN of refusing to cover his speech "because they know how corrupt our system is and they don't want to reveal it" he claimed as his face bronzer slowly melted onto his tie. TV networks took different approaches in covering Trump's remarks.

Fox News ran the speech unedited; MS NOW and CBS aired some portions live but then cut away for analysis and factchecking from their correspondents. Trump concluded his rant against the media by saying they were all plotting against him. Sure Donnie.

As it Stands, one of the biggest tells of the pathetic speech was Trump didn't provide any specific evidence that any vote was changed or altered in the 2020 election. I wish I could say this is the last we'll hear about it, but I know better. Trump can't admit he's a loser.

Trump is Boldly Letting His Inner Dictator Come Out

After two murders in one week ICE leadership decided that didn't look very good. 

So, DHS secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the agency was, "having a temporary suspension of most Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle stops."

Mullin felt pressure from lawmakers like Sen. Susan Collins and halted most non-urgent vehicle stops.

So far, so good. Maybe there's hope yet.

BUT NO!

When Trump heard about Mullin's order, he expressed fury, blew out his double diaper, and then publicly overturned the pause.

Was this the moment of truth? Was a Trump appointee actually going to stand up to his dictatorship? Not in this life.

Mullin saw that "daddy" was pissed at him and he did what every Trump appointee does... fell to his knees, kissed his feet, and immediately rescinded the order and shamelessly reposted Trump's statement slapping him down.

After listening to the House confirmation hearings for Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton - both Trump toadies - I saw their slavish devotion to the Big Lie when they wouldn't say who won the 2020 election because that would make Trump cry!

By confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General Trump is further solidifying his power. The same goes for confirming Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. Both can be counted on to keep Trump in power. One way, or another.

So far, in about 18 months Trump has transformed the government into an authoritarian state and has openly taken on the mantle of a dictator. There are no restraints on his regime because of the crooked Supreme Court.

Americans are getting increasingly worried about Trump's efforts to rig the midterms in order to protect himself from an inquiring Congress that could potentially impeach him for the third time.

Meanwhile Trump is stuck with an illegal war that he started and is now crippling our economy. Rumors of a ground invasion of Iran hang over Washington D.C. like dark clouds.

NATO doesn't trust Trump for many reasons beyond his open lies. His love for Vladimir Putin is a public humiliation for the entire nation and a good reason not to trust Trump and his goons.

As it Stands, I hope I'm wrong and the fix isn't in on confirming Blanche and Clayton despite their crooked past histories. I'm not holding my breath until the outcome, however. 

Whose Lying About McConnell's Health? Damning Photo Exposed

It appears both Republicans and Democrats are questioning a photo released by Mitch McConnell's staff purportedly showing the senior Senator sitting up in bed smiling with his wife next to him.

There's a problem with the photo. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson questioned the authenticity of the photo and suggested it was an older photo.

McConnell who has been hospitalized since June 14th when he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest according to emergency dispatch audio obtained by media outlets, is now claiming he just had a fall and was unconscious. So, why did the medics have to give him CPR according to the news reports?

In a written statement Sunday McConnell said he did not break any bones and did not endure a heart attack or stroke. He did say he has a mild case of pneumonia. What? That doesn't add up any way you look at it.

What made far-right activist Laura Loomer claim a source had told her the senator was "brain dead" and "not coming back." My guess is that she might know something, but it's just as likely a way to get hits on her website. 

NewsNation asked a House Republican whether McConnell was still alive. Rep. Marlin Stutzman's response was telling; "I don't know if he's alive or has passed away." He said that in spite of the release of the photo circulating in the media.

A career counter-terrorism intelligence officer, Malcolm Nance, came out and said, "I think he's dead. It's very clear. I heard that 911 tape and I was an EMT when I was in the military. One of the things they teach you about CPR is the probability of coming back from CPR is very, very, very small."

Several days ago, prior to the supposed proof of life photo, a couple of Republican senators, John Thune and John Barrasso, attempted to dampen speculation by claiming the each talked with him for 20 minutes. They've been silent since.

To put this situation in prospective McConnell's resignation or death would create a problem for the GOP party. Any vacancy would trigger a special election. Depending on when a vacancy occurred, his seat could potentially remain empty until the new Congress is sworn in next January.

That's the last thing the GOP wants to see. One less vote for the majority.

As it Stands, it would be interesting to find out who is behind the controversial photo and coverup. My guess would be Trump who has claimed he doesn't know what's going on with McConnell.

ICE Attack: Another Murder in Maine

Two men have been murdered by ICE agents in the last week.

The most recent murder was Monday in Maine where an ICE Officer mistook a Hispanic man for someone else and shot him in cold blood.

A witness, Daniel Boucher said he looked out his third story window after hearing a "pop,pop,pop" sound and saw a small car "turned 90 degrees to the curb" with an SUV behind it. The driver was wounded and the car started moving down the street until the SUV hit it again.

"His face was bloody. His head was bloody," Boucher said, getting choked up. "I clearly heard the victim say, 'I tried to stop' clearly heard him say that."

It's not a coincidence that the agent didn't wear a body camera. When another agent murdered Lorenzo Salgado Arajo in Houston, Texas he wasn't wearing a body camera either.

That's because the new ICE director Markwayne Mullin hasn't made the officers wear body cams, despite legislation stating that all ICE agents wear them.

The Maine murder was a repeat of the Texas murder where unmarked vehicles chased innocent people. In both cases ICE's claim of the suspect weaponizing his vehicle and endangering the agent were trotted out as fact.

In fact, witnesses in the Houston attack said that there was no agent in front of the suspect's vehicle. ICE opened fire from the side of the truck. 

Afterwards they blocked the city from investigating the murder. A tactic ICE regularly uses to destroy evidence. There were three witnesses in the back of the van who were taken into custody. ICE is currently trying to get two of the men to self-deport before testifying in court.

The Maine man that was murdered was from Columbia and U.S. authorities are working with the Colombian embassy to get the individual's identity. According to the Maine immigrants' Rights Coalition and Presente! - the man was authorized to work in the U.S. 

Another case of mistaken identity (after all Hispanics all look alike. Right?)  as Mulllin confessed the warrant was NOT for the man they killed. Opps! The hell with that!

These murders are only going to continue until ICE and its director, are stopped. Congress has a duty to hold both to account and make some big changes soon. 

Justice might have to wait until after the midterms when the Democrats take back the House and possibly the Senate.

As it Stands, no one is safe in America today if their black or brown. Shame on the authoritarian government that encourages these murders.

Surprise News: McConnell is Alive Amid Conspiracies, Coincidences and Corruption

                     Where to start?

Two prominent Republicans have cardiac arrests within 30 days. One is dead. The other disappears in a hospital where his status has been unclear for three weeks. 

Coincidences?

Mitch McConnell was reportedly taken to the hospital after suffering a reported cardiac arrest and getting CPR. No one knew if he was dead or alive and speculation was swirling around every media platform.

That suddenly changed today when McConnell made a public statement and appeared in a photo (AI?) with his wife Elaine Chao. The same day Lindsey Graham died.

He claimed he didn't have a heart attack or a stroke and had suffered from a fall and was "briefly unconscious," and that he was recovering in a rehabilitation center.

Senator Lindsey Graham visited Ukrainian President Zelensky on Saturday to assure him of America's support, then dies of a cardiac arrest on Sunday. Reports suggest he had a lingering health problem. But what?

Moving on.

Corruption.

It's obvious the Trump favors Russian dictator Putin over democratic world leaders. 

Why else did Trump stop the oil sanctions against Russia? Why did Trump roll out the red carpet in Alaska for Putin's visit? He hasn't done that for any other world leader.

How did Trump earn $2.2 billion in the first year of his second term? The Trump clan increased their wealth four-fold by getting U.S. contracts worth billions and through crypto currency schemes cooked up by Trump and his money minions. 

The Department of Justice has become a wholly owned subsidiary that follows Trump's illegal orders. Every major position in Trump's cabinet is filled by loyalists willing to walk on glass for dear leader.

America's 250th anniversary has become a honey pot for Trump and MAGA as they cash in on their twisted interpretation of patriotism by holding expensive stunts funded by Trump's billionaire buddies (and taxpayers) seeking more influence with America's mob boss.

Conspiracies.

Hands down, the most dangerous conspiracy in America today is Trump's attempt to rig the midterms and his never-ending lie about the 2020 election being stolen.

In his return to office Trump has been conducting a witch hunt and going after his perceived enemies. The DOJ openly denies that. But privately it's open game time as evidenced by the numerous lawsuits filed.

The Pentagon is going out of its way to withhold information regarding the war with Iran. Secretary of War Defense Pete Hegseth has done everything in his power to muzzle reporters. Trump doesn't want to talk about the war or the Strait of Hormuz.

No one is sure if we're still at war (what happened to that Memorandum of Understanding?) or if there's a cease fire. Every day brings a new surprise/attack as the hostilities grow unchecked.

As it Stands, in this age of Trumpian lies and misinformation no one can be sure about anything. Every day is so full of challenges that Americans are in a state of continual stress.

Who Will Be Left Standing After Lies About McConnell's Condition is Exposed?

Do you believe "Moscow Mitch" McConnell is still alive?

It's a fair question considering the lack of information about his health for three weeks now. What little we do know would make anyone wonder why no proof of life has been reported yet.

You can't count the three MAGA morons who claim they talked with him just days ago. Republican Senators Thune and Boraso both claim they each talked with McConnell for 20 minutes since his hospitalization. I suspect their going to regret their stories when the truth comes out. 

The third MAGA moron is Scott Jennings at CNN. In an interview with Kasie Hunt Jennings claimed he talked with McConnel and was relieved he was doing so well. Hunt didn't let him off of the hook however and asked him to call McConnell on air. He declined the offer.

There was a reason Hunt asked Jennings to make the call. Simply put, she didn't believe him. Maybe because he's been caught lying on air before with false claims like "Almost 5 million able-bodied people on Medicaid simply choose not to work. They spend six-hours a day socializing and watching TV." 

Being a competent journalist Kasie Hunt must have heard from inside sources that there was something rotten in Denmark. That McConnell was dead. The challenge for Hunt and other journalists is determining if he's brain dead or deceased. It's a fine line that MAGA is sure to exploit and claim when the truth gets out, and we discover he wasn't technically dead.

Being a cynical kind of guy I'm waiting for the Republicans to prop up McConnell's body for a photo shoot in a scene from Weekend at Bernie's Mitch's.

The reason for all the lies is a political calculation. If McConnel can no longer do anything but lie in bed until relatives pull the plug, the Republican party is afraid Democratic Gov. Andy Beshar will appoint a Democrat in his place (one who can run as an incumbent during the midterms). Worse yet, they fear Thomas Massie may run for the Republican party in November.

It should be interesting watching Jennings, Thune, and Boraso try to back pedal on their conversation claims. If Jennings had any credibility, he shredded it. As far as I'm concerned Thune and Boraso lost any credibility when they kissed Trump's ring a long time ago.

As it Stands, Trump probably knows the truth about McConnell and that's why he's taking "executive time" for several days to redecorate the Oval Office with a coating of Ketchup. 

If Trump Gets His Way Residents and Tourists Will Be Unable to See the White House

You better take a quick trip to Washington D.C. if you want to see the White House and take a photo or two.

Trump is planning to fence off parts of Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, shutting down a historic space for political protests. 

The Washington Post reported that the regime and the Secret Service plan to put fences where Pennsylvania Avenue crosses 15th and 17th streets NW, allowing them to close pedestrian access if they decide there are security risks.

What do you want to bet any protests will be viewed negatively? If not a protest, then just at the whim of the big baby in the Oval Office if he's feeling insecure. Easy access will be a thing of the past.

The concealment of the people's house will also extend to Lafayette Square (a public park across from the White House and another historic protest space) where the regime is going to put up permanent fencing. 

Trump's plan is to plant 47 maple trees in Lafayette Park to make sure the White House will be further obscured to visitors and foreign tourists.

The fences on Pennsylvania Avenue will affect multiple organizations that are located on the street, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.

The new fencing will cut off the public's view of the White House and deter, if not outright ban, pedestrians from getting through. The irony is thick. Americans will be deterred from pursuing the American Dream.

To put a cap on it, Trump doesn't give a damn about the public's opinion on his ravaging of Washington D.C.s monuments and the White House itself because he's remaking the city in in his own hateful image.

As it Stands, a paranoid convicted felon and sexual abuser is making the White House HIS HOUSE and so far, he's getting away with it. 

Dying from Laughter?

There's nothing like a good laugh, right? 

Laughter is generally beneficial for your health, promoting stress reduction, improving your mood, and boosting your immune system.

In describing how hard someone laughed you may have heard the phrase, "He was dying from laughter." It's often used hyperbolically but what if there was some disturbing truth behind that phrase.

The fact is you can die from laughing. Death from laughter is a rare form of death, usually resulting from either cardiac arrest or asphyxiation, that has itself been caused by a fit of laughter. Dying from laughter has been recorded in ancient Greece right through modern times.

Three Recorded Examples...

Chrysippus, also known as "the man who died from his own joke," was a 3rd-century Greek philosopher who reportedly died of laughter after he saw a donkey eating his fermented figs; he told a slave to give the donkey undiluted wine to wash them down, and then, "having laughed too much, he died," according to Diogenes Laertius a local scribe.

Ole Bentzen was a Danish audiologist who found a scene in the movie A Fish Called Wanda so sidesplittingly funny that his heart rate rose to an estimated 250-500 beats per minute, leading to a heart attack as he laughed his way into the afterlife.

Alex Mitchell, from King's Lynn, England, died on March 24, 1975, laughing while watching the "Kung Fu Kapers" episode of The Goodies. After 25 minutes of continuous laughter, Mitchel slumped on the sofa and died from heart failure.

Three examples In Fiction...

"The Three Infernal Jokes," short story in The Last Book of Wonder (1916) by Lord Dunsany, is about three jokes "which shall make all who hear them simply die of laughter." 

"The Stand In," was an episode of the American comedy Seinfeld, which featured Jerry Seinfeld telling a joke to a hospital patient who then suddenly dies from laughter.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a 1988 fantasy comedy, had a scene where the weasels of the Toon Patrol literally die laughing.

So now that we have determined laughter is not always a good thing in large doses, we can take the necessary precautions although I don't know what that would entail. Stop laughing? I don't think so. Check with your doctor before going to see a comedy? Not practical. 

As it Stands, when you think about it dying from laughter may not be such a bad way to exit this life. I can certainly think of worse ways. 

A Mitch McConnell Mystery: Is He Dead or Kicking Back in a Hospital Bed?

I would love to see Mickey Spillane's take on the McConnell mystery.

 

The famous crime novelist has been called the "king of pulp fiction" and is best known for his character Mike Hammer.

What would Hammer say about the longtime senator's silence? His investigation would begin with McConnell's sudden hospitalization on June 14th when he was found unconscious in his home and reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. No one has heard from him since.

McConnell's staff keeps claiming the 84-year-old is "continuing to improve." That's it. No evidence. On Wednesday two top Republicans, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. John Barrasso claimed they actually talked with McConnell on the phone for 20 minutes each. "He's eager to come back to the Senate," both men assured reporters.

Hammer would have called bullshit on both Trump cronies. For starters he'd ask why McConnell can't speak to the press if he was able to hold two twenty minutes conversations with his fellow senator's? You know. Proof of life. Not another MAGAified cultist who is trying to hide something.

Even Kentucky's governor publicly asked McConnell to share his health status. 

On top of Hammer's list would be the suspicion that the ruling regime is trying to avoid any political insatiability. Under Kentucky law, if a Senate vacancy occurs, the governor cannot directly appoint a replacement. That means a special election must be held. MAGA is afraid it could lead to a long, drawn-out political or legal fight.

Hammer would also have known the critical date of Aug 3 is approaching. If McConnell is dead, brain dead, or otherwise not able to continue to serve, they have to turn his resignation in to the Senate. That means a special election where MAGA fears ousted congressman Thomas Massie could win it.

However, Mike Hammer, being an inquisitive sleuth, would have delved deeper into the mystery. Like why McConnell's wife Elaine Chao decided to go to China three days after her husband's hospitalization? It seems odd for a loving wife. She met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on June 17 in Beijing according to Chinese state media service Xinhua. What they really talked about is anyone's guess.

Why was Chao, who plays no role in the government, there to suddenly talk about "further efforts to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and China?"  Hammer would have noted Chao had a good relationship with the Chinese elite and urged her husband to make concessions to the Communist nation for decades.

As it Stands, it doesn't just take a fictional character to suspect something's rotten in MAGA land. The truth is out there.

Why Autonomous Vehicles Suck

Just the idea of sitting in the passenger seat or back seat with no human driver makes me shutter. 

Sitting in the driver's seat with no control is about as dumb as you can get.

There's just no way I'll trust my life with a robot in charge. I'm uneasy when someone else is driving. My wife is the only exception but I digress.

The very idea is ridiculous and too over-the-top for me and millions of other Americans.

It seems autonomous vehicles are going to be here for a long time despite their many flaws.

If you happened to be in San Francisco for the 4th of July fireworks you probably saw a bunch of stationary Waymo vehicles blocking traffic. Their batteries all died waiting in the congested traffic as a high volume of travelers contributed to the gridlock from hell.

People were getting out of their cars, yelling and screaming at the stalled Waymos obstructing traffic. It was a bizarre scene as angry drivers expressed their wrath at the driverless cars. The fact is Americans hate those driverless vehicles with their technical glitches, regulatory hurdles, and economic anxieties.

Companies like Alphabet's Waymo, Amazon's Zoox, May Mobility, Cruise, and Nuro are struggling to carve out a place on America's roads. The challenges run from erratic traffic disruptions, mapping and software glitches, weather and environmental blindness to their inability to improvise.

Private driverless cars offered in the U.S. are Tesla, General Motors, and Ford. There are numerous other models available to Americans from throughout world.

I checked out the data for self-driving car accidents in the U.S. (updated in 2026) and there's been 5,202 autonomous vehicle accidents reported last year. There's no statistics on fully autonomous vehicles. That technology is currently unavailable to consumers.

It's important to differentiate between self-driving cars and ADAS2 vehicles. The ADAS2 vehicle is not a fully self-driven system. It helps with some driving tasks. A surprising statistic (at least to me) is as of April 15, 2026, there were only two fully self-driving vehicle deaths this year. That's opposed to the ADAS2, which are not fully automated and have resulted in 56 deaths thus far.

It's hard to draw any definitive conclusions based solely on these numbers since we do not know the total number of each company's cars on the road.

As it Stands, setting all this scientific gooblygook aside, I don't trust autonomous vehicles. To me it would be akin to watching an oncoming train and not being able to avoid it.

Americans Still Want a 'Square Deal'

More than a hundred and twenty years ago, Teddy Roosevelt stood up for what Americans wanted for a very long time and called it the Square Deal: a fair shot for the worker, the consumer, and the "honest businessman" against the trust and railroad barons who'd swallowed the economy whole.

The framework for the New Deal was built by Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson finished it with the Great Society. For about 30 years the middle class in the postwar years grew faster and richer than any middle class in the history of the world. 

We were hot. Trump likes to claim we are today, but the reality is the country is divided and embroiled in cultural wars that are spreading out worldwide like a plague. 

Oh, by the way... the economy is collapsing under the grift coming from Trump's lackeys and corporations have resumed the power they once had 120 years ago.

The age of Trump has been a renaissance for the wealthy and connected in Washington D.C. 

When Trump visited the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota for the grand opening, he made a series of surreal moments treating an AI generated projection of Roosevelt like a real-life encounter with the former president. 

His handlers just smiled and tried to pretend he wasn't acting crazy.

Trump profusely praised Roosevelt for his bravery and toughness saying he lived "a freakin' wild life." I can't help thinking what Roosevelt would have thought about Trump if he met him. I suspect he would have beaten the bone spurs off of Donny and called him a coward and a traitor.

Some things never change.

As it Stands, middle class Americans are still fighting for their rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  

Another 250 Years of Democracy? Hmmm...

After watching Trump take over the 4th of July celebrations this year it's crystal clear what Americans have to fear.

Future holiday celebrations will be big money makers for Trump and cronies. They'll be about promoting ideology and harvesting donor data through controversial shadow LLCs designed to siphon donor's money away from legitimate organizations.

This 4th of July was the blueprint for future holidays. Because Trump wanted to warp the holiday into another vehicle to make money and a showcase focused upon him, he backed a private LLC called Freedom 250 to take over all the events celebrating America's 250th anniversary, despite the fact that there is already a bipartisan organization called America 250 that's been planning events for a decade.

There's a congressional investigation surrounding the funding and takeover of the 250th events. House Democrats allege that Trump allies illegally redirected millions of dollars in federal funds away from the congressionally approved America 250.

The 55-page interim report accused the Trump-backed Freedom 250 LLC of potential wire fraud and deceptive fundraising of the nation's 250-anniversary events. The shadow organization was created inside the National Park Foundation and re-routed donations from federal funds allocated by Congress for America 250.

The result was predictable.

Activities planned by Freedom 250 have been disasters. The organizers put together a 4th of July salute to Trump and the country that has further divided the United States of America. We can expect future events to be dripping with white nationalism and praise for dear leader. While there's no way around that there are ways of fighting back with counter events and protests.

Come November we can show what we think of this authoritarian regime by voting against Trump's handpicked lapdogs and regaining the House and possibly the Senate setting the stage for investigations into the massive grifting by Trump and his billionaire buddies.

As it Stands, as cliche as it sounds, we must never stop fighting for our freedoms from those who would take them from us.

A Fourth of July Message to Americans Who Love this Country

A Holiday Message for my Readers;

Despite Trump's authoritarian seizure of the Fourth of July holiday there's millions of Americans who still honor our founders and new republic, rejecting the lies, hate, and twisted narrative that MAGA is trying to force upon the nation this year.

I refuse to let the bastardization of our nation go unchallenged. I'll be flying the American flag, but upside down because freedom is under attack by a felon and sex offender who is illegally squatting in the Oval Office.

It hurts - and hardens - my heart to see this decline in our democracy. 

Today I'm recalling past Fourth of July celebrations when my kids were growing up and more recently with my grandchildren. Great memories of children with sparklers, hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad will always hold me in good stead. 

I'm not going to allow Trump to ruin those memories. Instead of letting him get in my head I'll be thinking about the price of freedom in the coming days, months and years.

As it Stands, I'm proud to be an American who believes that we all deserve to be free and equal as spelled out in the Bill of Rights.

How the Trump Stole 4th of July

You can step aside Mr. Grinch because someone eviler than you have taken the spotlight.

"You're a mean one

You really are an ass

You're a liar

Without any class

Mr. Trump, you're cruel

Mr. Trump, you're crass."

(Apologies to Dr. Seuss)

It doesn't feel like 4th of July this year. 

I remember celebrating America's 200th anniversary in 1976. It was special. There was a series of celebrations and observances that paid tribute to historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic.

The whole country embraced the activities. I was on a patriotic push and talked my long-suffering wife into decorating our house in red, white, and blue. I even bought a Bicentennial set of Commemorative coins. I displayed the flag outside our house proudly.

That was then. How things have changed in 2026.

Trump has managed to turn the holiday into a series of political events and tributes for himself. Each worse than the one before. Despite having a National State Fair at the Washington mall to celebrate 4th of July hardly anyone has shown up for the event which is slated to last 16 days.

It didn't help that Trump opened the fair with a two-hour-long political screed that saw a sparce crowd walk away by mid speech. The fair's failures to secure entertainers and the lack of shade (Washington DC is in the 100s right now) contributed to the small crowd. The state booths (only 40 states participated) were bland and often weren't staffed by anyone.

Like a political slap in the face, the organizers (Trump's Freedom 250 clowns) erected a facsimile of one of Trump's vanity projects - a triumphal arch like the one in France. His plans call for it to be by the National Mall. The only people it attracted at the fair were the few who used the little shade that it provided.

We have to look at the big picture. Trump has taken national holidays over and is desecrating them with his vile politics. America is split into warring fragments that refuse to unite. Even once safe national holidays have been poisoned.

It's particularly galling watching Trump and his cronies wrapping themselves in the American flag and claiming they are super patriots. They've appropriated national symbols, striping them down into a MAGA centric meaning that most Americans revile.

The takeover of Fourth of July is a continuation of an authoritarian government holding freedom hostage.

As it Stands, I'll still hang my flag out this year, but I'll skip buying any commemorative coins with Trump's mug on them.

It's a Mystery to Me: How Can Anyone Take Trump Seriously?

Trump must be gnawing on his pacifier.

Everyone is making fun of him. The Iranians have started a small industry of Lego videos featuring Trump and his MAGA buddies doing stupid things.

The news is crawling with jokes, memes, and cartoons about America's first felon president. Trump's beautification projects in Washington DC have been mocked and scorned in the print media and online daily.

One of Trump's beautification projects has spawned a series of memes and viral themes that will someday be put in a future Meme Museum. 

The Lincoln Reflecting Pool. There you go! You're already smiling. I bet you've seen a few. Let's view some examples.

- "Make Algae Green Again." Nice twist on Make America Great Again.

- "Drain the Swamp." Comedians and critics have seized the opportunity to ironically twist Trump's signature catchphrase "drain the swamp" to apply to the stubbornly algae-filled monument.

- "Vandalism." One of the most popular memes features an edited clip of artist Bob Ross dabbing globs of bright green paint onto a picture of the D.C. landmark. Comedians and critics poked fun at Trump's response to his alleged vandalism (evidence free rant) claim and mocked his idea of arresting people for "touching water."

All kidding aside for a moment. Here's a sobering reality; Trump is mentally ill. It's obvious to over 50% of Americans (latest Quinnipiac poll) and the rest of the world.

Particularly troubling is Iran's approach to dealing with Trump. They truly believe he's insane. They may joke about Trump's thin skin but beneath that humor they know he's not dealing with a full deck.

The Iranian negotiating team genuinely believes Trump is crazy. They factored this assessment into their official diplomatic strategy according to major news outlets.

During indirect peace negotiations, Iranian officials brought senior psychologists and psychiatrists onto their negotiating team to analyze Trump's cognitive and decision-making styles. The Iranian Psychological Society published open letters about Trump, calling for a scientific evaluation of his mental health to address concerns over his hostility and impulsivity.

Trump's latest medical evaluation involved 22 doctors (a record). There's little doubt that they are following his cognitive decline. It's getting worse. America and the rest of the world is aware of what a walking time bomb Trump is. 

As it Stands, watching Trump unravel is like watching a runaway train. You know nothing good is going to happen.

14th Amendment Victory: Supreme Court Actually Rejected Trump's Birthright Challenge

It doesn't happen too often in the Age of Trump where the Supreme Court stands up against Trump's attempt to dismantle the Constitution.

Today the 14th Amendment was upheld by SCOTUS. A hundred and fifty-year-old law regarding automatic birthright eligibility stood the test against Trump's assault on the Constitution with a 6-3 ruling. 

Justice Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.

I'm not here to praise the Supreme Court because the conservative majority has been going along with most of Trump's attacks against our freedoms.

Today they got it right. But for how long?

Precedent is no longer a guiding light for this Supreme Court. Chief Justice Robert has granted Trump complete immunity and made a mockery of the Executive Branch with unlimited powers.

The decision firmly rejected the executive order that Trump issued on the first day of his second term. 

The executive order never went in effect because every lower court judge who reviewed it concluded that it was "blatantly unconstitutional."

To put the challenge against the 14th Amendment in prospective it was part of Trump and Stephen Miller's immigrant purge.

Prior to today's decision Trump posted this on his Truth Social platform, "The United States of America cannot live with the shackles of Birthright Citizenship. It is not economically, or otherwise, sustainable, and no other Country in the World, of consequence, does it."

Today Trump wrote, "No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment necessary! Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP."

Trump is not going to get what he wants however, because it would take a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate (or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures).

The likelihood of that happening is minus zero on a scale of 1 to 10.

For the record, the case was Trump v. Barbara. 

As it Stands, you can bet the ketchup is flying in the Oval Office this morning!

Trump's Repeated Tours of Washington DC Monuments Causing Residents Grief

Whenever the pressure from his war on Iran gets to him Trump goes on a tour of monuments in Washington DC. His desire to make Washington DC his lifetime legacy is more important than the war he started in Iran or the failing American economy.

His interpretation of beautification falls short of normal standards. Whenever he has the chance, he redecorates things with gaudy gold gilding. The bronze horses near the Lincoln Memorial have been covered in a heavy 23.75-karat gold leaf that cost taxpayers $5 million.  

I wonder how American taxpayers feel about that? It's just one of Trump's multiple attempts to beautify DC for the country's 250th anniversary that is fleecing America. Funds to make the changes come from the National Park Service which has had to divert projects in national parks throughout the country to meet his demands.

Recently Trump has engaged in multiple high-profile, highly secured tours of the monuments and fountains causing rolling road closures and restricted public access. Needless to say, his tours are causing grief for local commuters and tourists.

Following his tours Trump goes on rants about his pet projects like the triumphal arch he wants to erect for Columbia Island at Memorial Circle, a traffic roundabout between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Memorial Bridge.

On Sunday Trump posted a 594-word diatribe praising himself for all the good work he's doing around town. Without any authorization he had plans drawn up for his Arc de Triomphe (already being called Arc de Trump) with an intensive construction schedule that involves crews working 20 hours a day (across two 10-hour shifts) year-round to complete the arch within two to three years.

That's years of pain-in-the ass commutes for local residents who never asked for such a stupid monument. The fact that their taxes are footing the bill is both galling and appalling.

As it Stands, at this point there's no doubt that Trump is living in another universe where nothing is normal.

Before You Donate to a 'Go Fund Me' Page Do Your Due Diligence

What began as an organic way to help average Americans raise money for good causes has morphed into a way to rip people off. 

The first GoFundMe page was officially launched on May 10, 2010, and was originally called "Coin Piggy" and later "Create-a-Fund" before becoming the platform it is today.

Created as a for-profit crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe allows people to raise money for events ranging from life events such as celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses.

It wasn't long before bad actors found ways to abuse the platform. GoFundMe controversies fall into two distinct categories: platform-wide corporate scandals and individual criminal scams.

Here's four ways that individual grifters have managed to turn a good thing into a bad thing:

1. The "Good Samaritan" Hoax. Perpetrators fabricate a heartwarming story that urges people to donate to.

2. The Faked Childhood-Cancer Hoax. A parent falsely appeals for help for their terminally ill child. At some point they post that the child died and has been cremated.

3. The "Degenerative Disease" Hoax. Someone begins by telling friends, family, and online donors that they have a rare, terminal degenerative illness.

4. The Faked Animal Cruelty Hoax. This scam targets animal lovers by claiming their pet suffered a grievous injury, and they need help to pay for medical bills. 

These examples are the most common ways people get scammed donating to a GoFundMe site but are far from the only ways the platform has been abused.

Platform wide abuse has spurred government investigations for years.

One of the biggest abuses stemmed from 1.4 million GoFundMe pages created for fundraising and donations that were formed without the prior knowledge or consent from the charities they featured.

As of March 2026, a coalition of 22 state Attorneys General launched an investigation and issued a scathing letter accusing GoFundMe of "identity plagiarism."

Update: GoFundMe has removed unauthorized donation web pages and is now requiring prior consent for charity web pages as of June 3, 2026. You'd think after all of these years this problem should have been addressed a long time ago.

Then there's spoofing threats that are still happening. Beyond platform fraud, scammers regularly "spoof" real GoFundMe pages - copying text and imagery verbatim-and re-uploading them to unmonitored alternative crowdfunding sites that request untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin.

There are good alternatives to GoFundMe for families. For example, SupportNow doesn't charge any fees to participate, unlike GoFundMe that charges 2.9 percent from every donation and asks for an additional tip.

The bottom line is do your research before giving away your hard-earned money to anyone.

As it Stands, I'm waiting for the MAGA man who dressed up as Uncle Sam in Trump's Great American State Fair to start his own GoFundMe page after being arrested for perversion.

Will Trump's New Experimental Medication Help Him?

In medical news today the Food and Drug Administration and Eli Lilly recently approved an experiential drug for President Trump's unstable condition - called Moronical - through the agency's "compassionate use" program.

According to the FDA only patients with a serious illness are given access to use experimental treatments when no other alternatives remain. 

Apparently, doctors concluded that Trump's brain was too small for a surgical cure for his malicious moron malady. Coupled with the fact that they would have had to cut into an abnormally thick skull the surgeons had to pass on the attempt.

White House staff were tasked with monitoring Trump's one-of-a-kind medication that came in a suppository form. 

A lottery quickly sprung up among the staff who drew cards to see who would have to remind him to stick the solid medication up his fat ass three times a day.

One poor staffer came in to remind Trump just before midnight and passed out from the stench of his dirty diaper mixed with the fetid suppository, that he was gleefully shoving up his amble rearend.

The daily drawing was dreaded but it was the only way to make sure the Orange POTUS took his medicine regularly. 

The traumatized staff tried not to think the worst, but they all had a nagging feeling that Trump's experimental drug wasn't working. He was as big a moron as ever.

Meanwhile a crazed Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy was working on a cure for his mob boss in the Oval Office.

His cure involved ingesting ivermectin mixed with powdered raccoon penis, honey, and Zebra dung. Thus far his cure had only made mammals teeth fall out but RFK Jr. knew he was getting closer to a cure for mega morons.

Stay tuned for more medical updates on the convicted felon that somehow got elected twice.

As it Stands, if only there was a cure for morons. It would wipe out the MAGA movement.

Breaking News: Trump Holds Emergency Press Conference

Reporters have been gathering at the White House early, hoping to get a good seat for what Trump promised would be a bigly press conference. 

As usual the regime turned off the air conditioning to make sure the reporters were uncomfortable. While waiting for Trump to waddle out the reporters were busy comparing notes and talking about what Trump's announcement was going to be about. 

ABC reporter: "I got a tip that Trump was going to talk about Iran and make a big announcement."

NBC reporter: "Do you think Trump is going to tell us he surrendered?"

CBS reporter: "It's more likely that he's going to boast about what a deal he made with the Iranian government involving investing in his family cryptocurrency and a new Trump golf course in Tehran."   

Fox News reporter: Who says it has to be about Iran? It might be about the precautions our beloved president is taking to make sure the midterms aren't rigged by the liberals. 

OAN reporter: It could be about exposing a Democratic plot to take over the midterms."

Fox News reporter: "Do you mean voting by mail?"

NBC reporter: "Maybe Trump, who is obviously ill, is going to share a Road to Damascus moment and admit his crimes hoping for a spot in Heaven."

CBS reporter: "It's more like he's going to announce a pact with the Devil."

ABC reporter: "I'm wondering if this is something corporate will allow me to report on."

OAN reporter: "My sources tell me that beloved leader is going to announce that he's made alien contact with a group of Martians taking a vacation on earth."

The conversations suddenly came to a halt as Trump's theme song YMCA by the Village People blared from hidden speakers. Trump slowly bumbled his way towards the podium but walked right past it forcing his handlers to turn him around and gently escort him back.

An expectant hush filled the room.

Trump who was blinking rapidly to keep his eyes open while triumphantly raising both arms to the sky declared, "I have created a year around Reflecting Pool Task Force that will permanently protect out national treasure by harassing visitors and tourists who get too close to its American Blue water!"

 As it Stands, the funny thing is I can really see this happening in America today.

What Does America Stand For in 2026?

If your curious about what America stands for these days, I suggest you get reactions from other countries while researching the question. For starters.

The Pew Research Center recently conducted interviews with the rest of the world on how America is viewed today.

Some talking points include;

* Europe and Canada view America as unpredictable and increasingly isolated from Democratic nations. Trump's agressive trade policies, tariff threats, and geopolitical rhetoric - such as acquiring Greenland one way or another - see the U.S. as transactional rather than a defender of global peace and stability.

* Views from Global South & Asian partners is remarkedly similar to Europe and Canada in that the polled countries feel the U.S. does not contribute to global peace and stability. In fact, 63% of the people polled feel America frequently interferes in other nations' affairs.

* A prominent consensus across online communities - such as Reddit's GlobalTalk - suggests a strong dualistic opinion globally: most people distinguish between warm, welcoming American citizens and the polarizing, often abrasive nature of Trump's foreign policies.

It's not unusual to see countries protesting Trump himself and not average Americans. Global confidence in the U.S. has dropped to historic lows, with international perception scores falling behind both China and Russia in global surveys.

The hyper-Polarization of American politics has observers viewing U.S. political institutions as deeply fractured and dysfunctional. Many countries view America as being imperialistic or self-serving.

At least a dozen countries have issued travel advisories or warnings against the United States, citing concerns over strict immigration enforcement, political protests, and gun violence.

Damn. It sounds like America is a third world country laboring under a dictator. We are globally viewed as bullies. In a nutshell, our country is no longer looked at as a symbol of freedom welcoming people from around the planet.

Trump has taken America to a low no one could have imagined two years ago. Our pathetic and cruel regime has succeeded in turning the U.S. into a pariah state that is more feared than revered.

As it Stands, I fear it's going to take another generation before America reasserts its democratic values and position of trust with the rest of the world.