Cease Fire Negotiations Collapse: What's Next in the Epstein-Trump War?

I'm so confused. 

What little information I could find about the failed negotiations in Pakistan between the U.S. delegation and the Iranians doesn't make a lot of sense. 

All we know is that after 21 hours of bickering back and forth both sides picked up their balls and went home with no agreement.

I suspect having Jared Kushner and Steve Witkcoff there didn't help as the Iranian's had previously said they wouldn't negotiate with the two who they don't trust.

Does that mean we can expect more military action with troops on the ground in Iran? I wouldn't put it past Trump who is spiraling out of control with this latest defeat.

Is Trump going to bomb Iran back into the Stone Age? Innocent Iranian citizens face even more hell if Trump follows through on his threat to target Iran's water desalination plants, power grid and bridges.

In his infinite stupidity Trump has declared the U.S. Navy is going to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. What does that mean? Are American ships going to escort the estimated 130 tankers that go through daily? (Based upon production before the Epstein-Trump war.) 

Or is our Navy not letting ANYONE use the Straits of Hormuz? According to Trump's Truth Social platform our allies wouldn't be allowed to go through along with the rest of the world until Donnie said it was okay. He also threatened to interdict any vessel that has paid a toll to Iran.

I'm no expert but it sounds like the price of oil is going to continue going up for the foreseeable future.

The biggest obstacle to answering these questions is the proliferation of propaganda on both sides. Lies and more lies. What are we to believe?

I no longer trust our (once) mainstream media because it's being slowly taken over by right-wing billionaires who are buddies with our first felon. If you have a computer there are options to finding out about what's going on in this illegal war. 

You have to be careful about the sites you choose if you want the real news. I highly reccomend checking out the independent news outlets like MeidasTouch. When in doubt about a story SNOOP it for the lowdown.

As it Stands, the one thing that's clear is we can expect the Epstein-Trump war to stumble along with an unhinged sociopath leading the way.

Trump's Deteriorating Mental State Prompts Call for a Comprehensive Cognitive Evaluation

On Friday, Rep. Jamie Raskin pressed the White House physician for a full evaluation of Trump's cognitive abilities. 

Raskin asked Trump's personal doctor Sean Barbabella to test his mental acuity in response to Trump's recent words and actions - particularly those surrounding the Iran war.

"Experts have repeatedly warned that the President has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline. And, in recent days, the country has watched Trump's public statements and outbursts turn increasingly incoherent, volatile, profane, deranged, and threatening," Raskin wrote to Dr. Barbabella.

Raskin has asked that a comprehensive cognitive test be conducted before April 25 and the results released to the public. He also requested a neuropsychological assessment and any medications he is currently taking and their potential cognitive side effects.

Here's a couple of Trump's crazy quotes that spurred Raskin and the Democratic party to take immediate action:

- If Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again."

- "Tuesday will be Power Plant, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!! Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

For those of us who have observed Trump's mental decline since his first time in office, it's obvious he's getting worse and more violent. His profane language disgraces the office of the president. The whole world can see he's unhinged.

Raskin's request for accountability on Trump's instability is doomed to fail because the spineless MAGA morons in Congress are pretending the emperor has clothes on. That he's (somehow) sane and people love reading his racist and cruel rantings on social media platforms.

In some ways we are living in an alternate universe where one man who is clearly unhinged has so much power that he's a threat to America and the rest of the world.

Raskin also stated in the letter to Barbabella that he wants him to testify in a Congressional hearing.

That's not going to happen for a host of reasons. Foremost being a doctor patient relationship is held in the strictest secrecy according to the laws of the land.

As it Stands, I wish I could say Trump would be stopped from starting a nuclear war by clearer heads, but I'm doubtful there are any left in the chain of command.

Trump Regime is Threatening the Pope: How Does that Square with Converted Catholic Vance?

Editor's note: I'm back from my recent blog break...and I'm pissed!

In January Pope Leo XIV gave a speech that so infuriated Trump, that he threatened to use "military force" against the Catholic Church. 

Let that soak in for a moment.

Trump has become such a warlord that he's actually going after a major religion.

He's attacked Venezuela and kidnapped their leader so he could steal their oil. He's bombed numerous African countries. He started an illegal war with Iran. He's turned immigration agents into a private army that's already killed at least three American citizens and deported thousands of immigrants without any due process.

Let's dial back a moment to January when senior Pentagon officials, including Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, summoned Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Pope's representative, and delivered a "sharp dressing down." 

Pierre was told that the Pope and the Church should align with U.S. policy, with some reports indicating a threat to use "military force" or invoking the 14th-century, "Avignon Papacy" (where the church was under French control) to pressure the Vatican by kidnapping the Pope at that time.

What spurred America's first felon to attack the Catholic Church? 

When Pope Leo XIV gave his "State of the World" address in January, which criticized a global shift toward "diplomacy based on force" and opposed the Trump regime's "inhuman treatment of immigrants" and agressive foreign policies, specifically regarding Iran, Trump went antichrist on the Catholic Church.

Trump's dementia is getting more dangerous by the day. When the Pope called him out regarding his threats against Iran (to destroy their civilization) as "truly unacceptable," stating that such actions are not in line with Christianity, our liar-in-chief decided to declare war on the Catholic Church.

A War Department official claimed the characterization of the meeting was "highly exaggerated and distorted," describing the discussion as "respectful and reasonable."

I don't know about you, but I'll take the Pope's account (as told to him by Pierre) over Trump's War Department propaganda anytime. The whole regime is built on lies.

It's no surprise then that the Pope cancelled his plans to visit the United States for the country's 250th anniversary this year. He isn't going to give Trump a chance to kidnap him so he could hold the Vatican hostage.

When asked by a reporter about Trump's threat to the Catholic Church, J.D. Vance avoided the question by claiming he didn't know what was going on but he'd like to talk with the Pope and Elbridge Colby.

In addition, Vance just wrote an entire book about his conversion to Catholicism, and it will be released soon. Hypocrisy anyone? He knows that Trump doesn't give a damn about Catholicism.

Not so funny fact: the last time Vance spoke to a pope that pope (Francis) died the next day.

As it Stands, I wonder how this battle between evil and good will turn out. Especially among American Catholics when it comes time to vote in the midterms.

Brief Blog Break: I Have to Exhale

A crazy president.

An illegal war.

An economy collapsing...

WAIT!

I'm taking a brief blog break (not sure exactly how long) to bring down my blood pressure and to try to get some positive vibes going. 

Watching all of the bad things that keep popping up daily is stressful. Time for a quick battery charge.

If your new to this blog I urge you to check out the archives on the right side of the page to see what I've written in the past 20 years.

(photo - Shirley and I at NO KINGS Day 2026)

We believe in Democracy. 

I'm a journalist who believes in the Constitution.

I'm a veteran who hates seeing the illegal Trump-Epstein War taking American lives.

As it Stands, thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon. Peace out!

We Do We Celebrate Easter with Eggs and Bunny's?

On the surface, watching bunnies frolic in a grassy yard among hidden decorated eggs is kind of weird. 

It's not weird to Christians, however. Those gaily painted eggs symbolize new life, representing both the spring season and, primarily, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his tomb. 

Early Christians used eggs to symbolize the empty tomb, with the shell representing the tomb and the cracking of it representing Jesus.

Rabbits have a place in Easter due to their ancient symbolism of fertility and new life, stemming from their reputation for prolific breeding in spring.

Those multi-colored bunnies children play with are associated with the pagan symbol of the Germanic goddess Eostre merged with the Christian celebration of resurrection and renewal. Americans can thank German immigrants for the introduction of the very popular Easter Bunny into our culture.

For those who of us that don't embrace any particular religion Easter Sunday is still a symbol of peace and brotherhood. It's a day to set aside the wars plaguing the planet and to be with family and friends.

As it Stands, Happy Easter world!

Kicking the Oil Can Down the Road is a Losing Proposition

Trump lies every day about his war coming to an end.

He keeps extending the time frame by another two weeks continuously implying that the war is ending, that Iran is defeated, that NATO is ungrateful, and so on, in a desperate hope that everyone will but the "reality" he's selling.

So far, the lies have been working. Markets have shown a stunning willingness to believe him when he says the end of the war is around the corner. But the lies may soon stop working. Lies have a habit of backfiring. Trump should know that by now.

When Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz Trump's dreams of seizing Iran's oil, natural gas (third ranked in the world), were suddenly shattered. It was an obstacle he, and apparently his generals, didn't take into account. Iran's leverage on the world oil market has actually increased since the war started. 

While the average price of gas in the U.S. is currently $4.07 a gallon, GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan told Reuters the pain will get worse soon.

"U.S. average retail gasoline prices are now set to climb to between $4.25 and $4.45 a gallon by next week after crossing $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022," Reuters reported.

Reuters warned that, "If there is no viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. average price of gasoline will likely cross $5 a gallon and hit record levels within a month."

This grim report is what Americans are facing as Trump kicks the oil can down the road. We're stuck watching a sociopath trying to defy reality and the rest of the world can see the emperor has no clothes.  

Trump is acting like a lying honey badger trapped in a corner and is lashing out at our allies for not going along with his illegal war. Meanwhile Congress is a dying whale beached by fear and cult loyalty.

The American public is paying a price beyond high gasoline. The fear of Trump's war escalating is palpable for most people who don't want to see a ground war and more Americans dying for a corrupt president.

My question is what will happen when Trump quits procrastinating? We are dealing with a demented dictator and there's no telling what horror the future holds.

As it Stands, I think it might be a good time for Americans to trade in their gas-guzzlers for economic vehicles...or bicycles! 

The 'Apprentice' is Back: This Version is a Horror Show

I'll never really understand what viewers of the TV show the Apprentice saw in Trump. 

For 14 seasons (from 2004 to 2017) he acted like an enraged toddler and became famous for saying "Your fired!"

The show was produced by British TV producer Mark Burnett and was co-produced by Trump who ironically was a terrible businessman pretending like he knew everything there was to know about successful big corporate businesses.

It's instructive to note that Trump had already declared bankruptcy on several casinos he owned in the 1990s. The Taj Mahal casino sold for 4 cents on the dollar. He already had a bad reputation for not paying his bills and foreign workers who helped build Trump Tower.

Yet, despite all the odds, the Apprentice was a successful show. So successful that Trump's ego had blown up to massive proportions, and he decided to run for president. At that time NBC cut ties with him after a disagreement over remarks that he made about Mexican immigrants during his announcement that he was seeking the office of the presidency.

After winning the 2016 election he was nearly impeached twice during his first term. Trump tried and failed to steal the 2020 election. Once again, against all odds, Trump got reelected in 2024.

America is now reaping its reward for bringing Trump back a second time. This vengeful version of Trump is worse than the first time around. He has no guardrails. His dementia has doubled and he is acting like a dictator and not even trying to hide the fact.

Recently Trump has been raging about the war he started and the Epstein files. I guess those two problems have caused him to go back to the "Your fired!" Apprentice mode. Attorney General Pam Bondi got to hear her fate in person at the White House when Trump dropped the hammer on her head.

Through Trump's proxies, like Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel, people are being fired for reasons only Trump knows. The most damage being inflicted is against military leaders who refuse to carry out Trump's illegal demands.

For example, on Thursday Hegseth fired the Army chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, whose term was expected to be four years. Why?

Apparently, George recently asked to meet with Hegseth to discuss Hegseth's blocking of promotions for some Army officers, which seemed to focus on women and black men. Hegseth refused to meet with him. Then Hegseth fired him.

One of the crazy things about these firings is that they've been elevated to his MAGA supporters recently. Bondi was only the tip of the iceberg according to the scuttlebutt in Washington D.C.

The first felon, whose paranoia grows more daily, is eyeing MAGA stalwarts like FBI Director Kash Patel, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. It's also said that there are other cabinet members treading thin ice. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was told she's fired last month.

This version of the Apprentice is a horror show. 

As it Stands, the damage Trump has inflicted upon the country is going to last for generations. Our host is still that mean little toddler who never grew up.

Lindsey Graham is a POS and He's Running for Reelection

When the people of South Carolina elected Lindsey Graham as their senator in 2002, I thought they were on LSD passed out by GOP operatives.

It doesn't say much for the sanity of South Carolinians that they kept voting for him and now he's up for reelection again during the upcoming midterms.

Watching Graham stroll around all alone at Disney World's Magic Kingdom while holding a pink princess bubble wand the other day wasn't exactly a good look. He looked like a pedophile on the prowl.

While Graham was being mocked on social media, he put out a video of himself holding a shotgun and trying to look tough.

The contrasts between the pink bubble wand and the shotgun were stark. 

Did you happen to see that South Carolinians? 

Listen...Lindsey is known for being dramatic, often contradictory, and making baffling public statements throughout his career. So why reelect him?

Since Trump slithered into office, Graham, the man who told America that Trump was nothing more than a "race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot" has morphed into one of the most fawning Trump sycophants in the MAGAsphere.

In an interview in February 2019, Graham was asked why he had such a dramatic shift of allegiance towards Trump? His answer: "From my point of view, if you know anything about me, it'd be odd not to do this." When asked what "this" meant, he said "try to be relevant."

From that pithy quote we can deduce that "relevant" in Graham's interruption means to kiss the leader's ass regardless of what you think about them.

I wonder if there's something (not good) in the water because South Carolinians have been mindlessly reelecting the POS despite what an embarrassment, he is.

The flippant manner in which Graham speaks about not standing on principals makes it clear how he could go from telling Americans they should "tell Donald Trump to go to hell" to effectively licking Trump's boots on command.

I remember Graham seeking to have legally cast ballots excluded from the vote count in Georgia. He was actively trying to undermine the democratic process. He even got on the phone with the Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and asked him to exclude all mail ballots in counties with higher rates of non-matching signatures.

What's really sad is Graham knows better. After all, he spent much of his political life fighting with John McCain for people in countries who do not have democratic rule. That was then. This Lindsey Graham doesn't bare any resemblance to the one who once defended democracy.

Graham wants Trump's war to continue. He revels in being the tough guy who wants to see more blood and destruction in the Middle East.

I have a question for South Carolinian voters: What has Graham done to make your lives better?

As it Stands, we all make mistakes at one time or another. The midterms will give you a chance to correct one that has gone on for far too long.

We're Watching Trump Trying to Rig the Midterms in Real Time

It's no secret.

Trump is scared that the Democrats are going to reclaim Congress this November and impeach him.

He's expressed this fear publicly and to his spineless sycophants' numerous times.

Because Trump hasn't been able to get Congress to pass his unconstitional SAVE America Act which would severely affect voters in the midterms, he's been looking around for other avenues to hinder voter turnout.

His latest attempt, a patently illegal executive order to rig the upcoming elections in the GOP's favoring by curbing the right to vote by mail, will be challenged in court immediately.

Fun fact; Trump voted by mail recently. When asked about this apparent contradiction he said it was alright because he was the president. In MAGA speak he's above the law.

After signing the executive order, he boasted. "It's foolproof."

Only a fool would believe that. "It is certainly fool-something, and we imagine that the president, who is hardly a constitutional scholar, will find very quickly on which grounds it can be contested, as multiple pro-democracy groups are already preparing to sue," said Klaus Marre a reporter for WHO, WHAT, WHY recently.

Americans are faced with a massive and unconstitutional suppression effort aimed at giving Trump the power to create a list of who is allowed to vote by mail, election lawyer Marc Elias recently told the press. "We know where this will go - the targeting of Democrats for mass disenfranchisement. We will sue and win," Elias added.

Make no mistake. Democracy is under attack from this regime and Republicans in general. Trump is using all levers of the government to ensure that Republicans maintain control of Congress. 

Efforts to get the GOP to change the rules of the Senate to pass the so-called SAVE America Act, are still ongoing. Trump doesn't give up easily. We can expect more scams, like trying to have ICE agents assigned to polling places to intimidate voters.

The recent regime seizures of Fulton County's voting records were done to promote Trump's Big Lie to justify fraudulent foreign interference claims and the need for special security forces in the midterms.

Don't let Trump intimidate you. Go here to ensure that your vote will be counted and check your registration status. Your vote can make the difference. I urge you to make sure that family members and friends are registered well in advance of the midterms.

Americans have long been aware that freedom isn't free. We must fight for our Democracy.

As it Stands, "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will have to sit on their blisters." - Abraham Lincoln

Ballrooms and Battlefields: Realities Facing Americans

Despite being in a hot war with Iran Trump has a slew of building projects that he would rather talk about.

As American and Israeli military forces' bomb the hell out of Iran, and now Yemen, Trump is boasting about building a high-rise library for himself in Miami, building a huge ballroom next to the White House( Update: A judge blocked Donny's ballroom today), and a triumphant Independence Arch inspired by Paris's Arc de Triomphe in the grassy area near the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

As the world struggles to safely navigate the vital Strait of Hormuz, Trump is talking about another ballroom he wants to build in Ireland on his golf course there.

Trump is already bored with his little excursion in the Middle East and has moved on to other things that amuse him like a stadium in front of the White House for MMA events. 

He also signed an executive order for the "Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C," an IndyCar street race planned for August 21-23. The race aims to run alongside the National Mall, featuring speeds near 190 mph past iconic landmarks.

I'm reminded of a movie called "Death Race 2000," where racers run over people for extra points. In the Trump version it'll be immigrants and Democrats strategically positioned on the raceway.

Just what we, the American people, need right now.

The economy is being battered while Trump is getting fake trophies from his spineless sycophants. Gas prices are the highest since 2002. Healthcare costs have quadrupled since the Republicans got rid of the Obamacare extensions.

 As Trump is systematically getting rid of our allies worldwide, his cronies are printing up dollar bills with his illegible signature on them and a gold coin with him standing over a desk looking like a mad orangutan.

Thanks to Trump we have the longest government shutdown in history and airports are packed with 4–5-hour lines as ICE goons look on and do nothing but scare people of color.

While Americans struggle to pay their bills Trump and his family have substantially increased their wealth through various cryptocurrency and bitcoin ventures. 

Eric Trump co-founded World Liberty Financial and serves as chairman of this Bitcoin mining and holding company, which reportedly has added billions to the Trump family fortune according to Bloomberg.com, Forbes, and Reuters.

The divide between the super wealthy and average Americans is wider than the Grand Canyon. Poor Americans are so marginalized they live day-by-day hoping for a deliverance that will never come.

As it Stands, stay strong and join millions of Americans who will be voting in the midterms to rein in our dictator and taking Congress back, giving Democrats the power to actually stand up to the traitor squatting in the Oval Office.

Signs of the Times: It's a Mad, Mad World

Signs seen on NO KINGS Day:

"Know Your Parasites - Dear Tick, Dog Tick, and Luna Tick."

Also

"Tell Me Again, which crimes get you deported, which ones make You President?"

More...

- "The Power of the People is Stronger Than the People in Power."

- "There isn't a sign big enough to list all the REASONS why I'm here."

- "Yes, that Red Hat Does Make Your DICK look small!"

- "It does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty."

- "Imagine being scared of diversity but not dictatorship."

- "This Wanna Be King Deserves a Royal Flush!"

- "Elect a Clown - Expect a Circus."

- "In a great America the Constitution is Respected and Democracy is Protected." 

- "FREE BALLS for members of Congress who have lost theirs."

- "I prefer my ICE crushed."- 

- "Hey Trump, nobody paid us to be here! We all hate you for FREE!"

- "1, 2, 3 What are we fighting 4? Don't ask Trump because he doesn't give a DAMN!"

- "Hands off of our universities!"

- "Freedom Over Fascism."

- "Willing to send Congress a spine."

- "Woke Jesus NOT Orange Jesus!"

- "No crown for a clown."

- "Impeach - Convict - Imprison!"

- "Rejecting Kings since 1776."

- "Make Orwell Fiction Again!"

- "So Many Lies so little Cardboard."

- "No One is above the Law."

As it Stands, over 8 million people turned out to express their disgust with the Trump regime in signs and sheer numbers across the nation.