SCHIFF DEFENDS CORRUPT ACT BLUE

SCHIFF-TRUST-ME-BS

Once again, one of the most detestable members of the Senate, the lying, leaking, evidence-falsifying, Adam "Schiff for Brains " Schiff, is trying to explain away the alleged corruption associated with Democrat fundraising and illegal contributions, many from foreign sources.

Asfs

Stephen —

Donald Trump just launched a sham investigation into ActBlue, the top campaign contribution processor for Democratic campaigns, including my own.

And we know why — they want to shut down ActBlue.

This is a classic authoritarian move from the Trump administration. Politicizing and weaponizing the Justice Department to go after voters’ power to make an impact on our democracy.

[OCS: Like the Democrats did not employ lawfare and weaponize the Justice Department, even before Donald Trump walked down the golden stairs to announce his candidacy.]

It’s an attempt to rig the political system — a system that was already fundamentally broken after the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

[OCS: As if the Democrats did not attempt to rig the 2016 election or actually rig the 2020 election.]

Coming after grassroots donors’ ability to give through ActBlue and other donation processors is silencing voters. It’s a power grab by the right wing. It’s an affront to our democracy. It won’t surprise you to learn that Trump is taking no action to investigate the Republican equivalent of ActBlue — underscoring what a blatantly partisan attack this is.

[OCS: Are they speaking about thousands of voters who did not give the money listed by Act Blue or the money that originated from foreign sources that was not appropriately flagged and rejected?]

Right now, our already rigged political system is giving even more power to Elon Musk and the billionaires who seek to sway elections by making massive contributions. The GOP is consolidating power and trying to kneecap our democracy through sham investigations, executive orders, and policies.

[OCS: Funny, they never mention their billionaires like Reid Hoffman, George Soros, or Mark Zuckerberg, who actively interfered with the elections.]

That’s not ok.

We need to empower voters. People should be able to make small dollar contributions. Post their thoughts on social media. Attend rallies and protests. Call and write to their representatives.

[OCS: Wasn't it the Democrats who disenfranchised their primary voter base after a legitimate election to substitute an inarticulate, incompetent Kamala Harris, for a brain-damaged Joe Biden whose signature was signed by an anonymous unelected aide using an AutoPen?]

The GOP is trying to silence voters. We need to fight back.

That’s why I’m asking you to chip in today. Your support will help me fight Trump’s attacks on our democracy and put power back in people’s hands — not just Elon Musk’s.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:

As-dThank you — and more soon as we learn more about the impacts of Trump’s investigation.

— Adam

AS-TRA

Allegations Against ActBlue: Examining Claims of Money Laundering and Fraudulent Donations

ActBlue, a prominent online fundraising platform utilized by Democratic candidates and causes, is currently under scrutiny following allegations of facilitating money laundering and fraudulent donations. These claims have prompted investigations by various state attorneys general, congressional committees, and federal agencies.​ <Source<

Allegations and Investigations

In August 2024, several state officials initiated investigations into ActBlue's operations. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares expressed concerns over "hundreds of thousands of dollars of contributions through individual donors in the Commonwealth in volumes that are facially implausible and appear suspicious." He noted instances where donors, including retirees, reportedly made multiple daily contributions amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, raising questions about the legitimacy of these donations.

Similarly, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced inquiries into ActBlue, focusing on potential identity theft and illegal donations, including contributions from foreign actors.

At the federal level, the House Committee on Administration, led by Chairman Bryan Steil, issued subpoenas to ActBlue for documents related to donor verification policies and potential vulnerabilities to foreign influence. The committee's investigation highlighted concerns about the use of untraceable prepaid cards and allegations of "smurfing," where large donations are broken into smaller amounts to circumvent contribution limits.

In response to these allegations, President Donald Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate ActBlue, emphasizing the need to address potential violations of election-related contribution laws, including "straw donor" schemes and foreign contributions. 

ActBlue's Response

ActBlue has strongly denied the allegations, labeling the investigations as politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining Democratic fundraising efforts. The organization asserts that it employs robust security protocols and has implemented measures to verify donor information, including requiring card verification values (CVV) for online contributions. 

The platform also points to the bipartisan nature of small-dollar donations, noting that similar scrutiny has not been applied to its counterpart, WinRed, used by Republican campaigns. ActBlue emphasizes its commitment to transparency and compliance with campaign finance laws.​

Broader Implications

The allegations against ActBlue raise significant questions about the integrity of online political fundraising platforms and their susceptibility to misuse. While the investigations are ongoing, they underscore the challenges in ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws in the digital age. The outcomes of these inquiries may lead to legislative reforms aimed at tightening donor verification processes and enhancing transparency in political donations.

In his own words...

Adam Schiff Tells Bill Maher Even Voters In San Francisco Think Dems Are A-Holes

Adam Schiff was in San Francisco when his luggage was stolen from his car. So he went to Target to get new bags, and the cashier told him exactly what she thought of guys like Schiff:

[Adam Schiff] So we're going to have to change how we do business in California. We're going to have to address people's legitimate concerns about crime. I was in South San Francisco two years ago after I had an experience in the city that all too many people had when my luggage was stolen out of my car.

They tell you don't ever leave your luggage in the car. I never do until the one time I did. And of course it got stolen.

And what was most memorable about the experience for me as I went to this target in South San Francisco, 10 o'clock at night, and I'm getting the the toiletries I'm going to need for my next two days in the city.

[Bill Maher] I get to the cashier by yourself, not an assistant.

[Adam Schiff] I think I went there. Well, yes, I had somebody drop me off at the store.

[Bill Maher] And so I don't mean to make that an issue. See, I waited somewhere I should not have waited.

[Adam Schiff] First of all, I had to get the clerk, which is hard to find, to unlock the shampoo or the whatever. So that's one thing. And then I get to the cashier.

The cashier asked me if I want one of those target bags with a bullseye on it. And I said, yes, that target bag is going to be my luggage for the next two days. And she asked me what happened.

And I told her. And she basically said, in not so many words, Democrats are assholes. And I thought, you know, if the cashier in South San Francisco at 10 o'clock at night believes that Democrats are assholes because the shampoo is locked up and my stuff got stolen out of the trunk, we've got a major problem that we have to address.

<Source> <Video

Start by resigning!

Bottom line...

The House-censured Schiff is lying again!

We continue to be screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


ISLAM OR ISLAMISM? THE DANGEROUS GAME WESTERN ELITES ARE PLAYING

Coexis-tislam

What’s an “Islamist”? A Convenient Euphemism for an Uncomfortable Truth

In the modern Western lexicon, the term “Islamist” has emerged as a politically correct escape hatch—a rhetorical trick used by academics, pundits, and politicians alike. It’s employed to neatly separate the religion of Islam from the violence and intolerance often carried out in its name. This euphemism allows people to say: “Islam is peaceful; Islamists are the problem.”

But let’s be honest: this distinction is more about preserving sensibilities than acknowledging reality.

The idea that “Islamism” is somehow distinct from Islam itself is a comfort narrative—crafted not from theology or doctrine, but from the cultural and political desire to avoid offending over a billion Muslims worldwide. It's a propaganda campaign disguised as academic nuance. By labeling perpetrators of jihad and terrorism as "Islamists" rather than simply "Muslims acting on Islamic doctrine," we pretend that the violence is an aberration rather than a reflection of foundational tenets.

Regarding Violence

Surah At-Tawbah (9:5) – "Then when the sacred months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them..."

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:191) – "And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you..."

Surah Al-Anfal (8:12) – "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. So strike [them] upon the necks..."

Regarding Lying (often referencing "taqiyya")

Surah An-Nahl (16:106) – "Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith..."

Regarding Non-Believers (Infidels)

Surah Al-Imran (3:85) – "And whoever desires other than Islam as religion—never will it be accepted from him..."

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:221) – "Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe..."

Surah At-Tawbah (9:29) – "Fight those who do not believe in Allah... until they give the jizyah while they are humbled."

Hadith Reference (Sahih Muslim 2922):

“The Hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews. The Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will say: ‘O Muslim, O servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him’—except for the Gharqad tree, for it is one of the trees of the Jews.”

The Scheme of Separation

This strategy of rhetorical separation serves two main purposes:

  1. To shield Islam from scrutiny. By creating a linguistic buffer, critics can condemn terrorism without appearing “Islamophobic.” The problem is never Islam, they insist, but rather a “radicalized” or “twisted” version of it.

  2. To preserve multicultural harmony. Western societies have invested heavily in promoting religious tolerance. Calling out Islam itself for its more aggressive or exclusivist passages risks backlash, both political and societal.

But such mental machinations come at a cost: truth.

Doctrinal Consistency, Not Deviation

When terrorist groups cite scripture, enforce sharia law, or punish apostasy, they are not inventing a new ideology—they are enforcing old ones. Their actions may be extreme, but they are not wholly unorthodox. The harsh penalties for unbelief, the call for jihad, and the division of the world into believers and infidels—these aren’t “radical reinterpretations.” They are textual, historical, and doctrinal elements of Islam itself.

To pretend otherwise is not just disingenuous—it’s dangerous. It blinds the public to the source of the problem and handicaps any effort to understand or address it.

Euphemisms Don’t Stop Bullets

Whether we call them “Islamists,” “jihadists,” or “violent extremists,” the reality remains the same: the acts are motivated by a religious framework, and that framework is Islamic. Refusing to say so doesn’t make it less true. It only makes our public discourse more dishonest and less effective.

Bottom line…

Even if Israel, the United States, and the rest of the Western world did not exist, Muslims would be killing Muslims, much as they already do in the Middle East and elsewhere, as the fight over which Muslims are more adherent followers and the rightful heirs to the religion itself. Never forget, Islam is not an organic religion, but the creation of a violent warlord.

A society that cannot speak clearly about the ideas that motivate violence is a society unprepared to defend itself against them.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

Swi


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


WAKE UP, AMERICA: YOUR APATHY IS DESTROYING THIS COUNTRY

Doom-scrolling

Frustrated Beyond Belief

I’m exhausted. Emotionally, mentally, spiritually — drained of all energy. Because it feels like I’m screaming into the void while the country I love crumbles from the inside. And the worst part? Too many people just don’t care.

They sit. Scrolling. Consuming. Distracted by TikToks and talking heads. Believing whatever the next loud voice on the screen tells them to believe. Some have become so thoroughly indoctrinated that they genuinely believe a political opponent is a modern-day Hitler — no nuance, no conversation, just blind rage and tribalism.

What happened to critical thinking? To the truth? To decency?

Are You Fucking Blind?

There is a generation, maybe several generations now, being actively taught by the progressive communist democrats and their media propagandists to see themselves as victims first and citizens second, not by some foreign enemy conducting a psy-op from abroad, but by a domestic political machine so desperate to cling to power that it has weaponized identity, grievance, and division. They push the narrative that America is irredeemably evil, that success is oppression, that personal responsibility is outdated. It’s not about lifting people up anymore — it’s about keeping them angry, dependent, and distracted. And the irony? The very people preaching about systemic injustice are the ones designing the system that keeps everyone shackled in chains.

Visionaries are not leading us — empty husks are ruling us. One candidate was literally brain-damaged—the other, demonstrably incoherent and absent. And behind the curtain, a cabal of unelected bureaucrats and political operatives pulls the strings, issuing executive orders with an AutoPen because the so-called leader can’t even hold a pen, let alone a coherent thought. This isn’t leadership. It’s a managed decline—a con. And millions have bought in because the alternative — thinking for themselves — is too hard, too scary, too inconvenient. We are not in the midst of a political debate; we’re watching a cultural suicide in real-time.

But right now? I’m just tired. Tired of watching this country rot while too many people watch Netflix and pretend everything’s fine. 

The apathy is soul-crushing. And no, I don’t mean people who are struggling just to get by — I mean those who could speak up, could think for themselves, could see what’s happening, and choose not to. Whether it’s fear, laziness, or just plain indifference, it’s killing us and America.

I don’t know what the answer is. Keep shouting into the wind? Keep hitting the same damn wall over and over hoping for a crack?

Maybe. Or maybe it’s about waking one person up. A friend. A neighbor. A coworker. Perhaps it starts with a conversation that doesn’t end in screaming. Maybe it’s courage in small doses — enough to remind others they’re not alone.

Bottom line…

You dumb bastards, it’s not about left versus right, it’s about good versus evil, common sense versus delusion.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


HUGS FOR THUGS: A NEW CHAPTER IN PROGRESSIVE COMMUNIST DEMOCRAT POLITICAL COMPASSION

MS-13-CAUCUS
In recent weeks, a group of progressive communist democrats has expressed sympathy toward illegal aliens involved in violent gangs, including members of groups like MS-13, known for heinous crimes such as murder, rape, and domestic abuse.

These corrupt, attention-seeking politicians argue that gang members are “victims” of systemic inequality and harsh immigration policies enforced by President Donald Trump, whose administration has cracked down on illegal immigration and gang activity.

At a September 2024 rally in California, Representative Alicia Torres claimed, “Many of these young men were pushed into gangs due to poverty and lack of opportunity. Trump’s policies dehumanized them, painting them as monsters instead of addressing root causes.” Torres pointed to broader social issues, like underfunded schools and discriminatory policing, as drivers of gang involvement, though she avoided directly addressing the victims of gang violence.

Progressive Communist Democrats’ Support for Violent Gang Members

In a groundbreaking move that left critics and many moderate supporters speechless, several high-profile progressive communist democrat politicians gathered for what can be called a “Solidarity Sit-In for the Systematically Misunderstood.” The misunderstood in question? A colorfully tattooed collection of violent illegal alien gang members, including murderers, rapists, and vicious wife-beaters—dubbed by supporters as “Societal Misfits Seeking Redemption.”

Under the banner of “Justice for Literally Everyone, no matter who they maimed or murdered,” the politicians took turns giving impassioned speeches about oppression, systemic injustice, and how being arrested for twelve felonies might be a misunderstood cry for help—or at least, a scheduling error. Reminding victims of violent felonies that “behind every violent crime is a broken system.”

Data from the FBI’s 2023 Crime Report paints a grim picture: MS-13 and similar gangs were linked to over 1,200 violent incidents nationwide, including 300 homicides. Critics, including law enforcement and victims’ advocates, argue that framing such criminals as oppressed minorities subverts justice. “These vicious animals are not victims; they’re predators,” said Sheriff John Callahan of Los Angeles County, citing cases of brutal assaults and murders tied to gang activity.

The controversy intensified when Senator Robert Kline shared a post on X in October 2024, calling for “compassionate reform” to support undocumented gang members through rehabilitation programs rather than deportation or incarceration. The post, which garnered 45,000 likes but twice as many critical replies, was condemned by families of gang violence victims. “My son was killed by MS-13. Where’s the compassion for him?” asked Elena Martinez during a CNN interview.

Trump, speaking at a campaign event in Arizona on October 15, 2024, seized on the issue: “These politicians are coddling murderers and rapists while Americans suffer. It’s a betrayal of our country.”

While defenders of the politicians argue they’re advocating for systemic change, the rhetoric has alienated many who see it as excusing violence. As the divide deepens, the nation grapples with balancing empathy for marginalized groups against the undeniable toll of gang-related crime.

Bottom line…

The progressive communist democrats are a circus of bad ideas held together by hashtags and the artisanal guilt of white, college-educated, wine-guzzling white middle-aged women, many without loving relationships grounded in family values.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have empathy, I’m just saying maybe it should be directed toward the victims and not someone with a neck tattoo saying “Carlos the Strangler.”

Unfortunately, the progressive communist democrats are continuing to play out their grotesque fever dream brought on by excessive virtue signaling and probably expired mushrooms.

We are so screwed.

--- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


FROM GOLDEN STATE TO LEFTIST WASTELAND

Ca-welcome

California was once the crown jewel of America — a land of freedom, innovation, natural beauty, and boundless opportunity. It was the state where you could dream big, work hard, and build a better life. The economy boomed. The schools thrived. The streets were safe. People came from all over the world to be a part of it.

That California is dead!

What’s left is a decaying husk, ruled by a single-party machine of radical idiots and ideologues. A progressive-communist-Democrat uniparty has seized total control of the state, and they are driving it into the ground at full speed. This isn’t mismanagement. This is intentional destruction in the name of power.

The architects of California’s collapse are names we all know:

  • Gavin Newsom, the slick, silver-tongued hair-gelled frontman for the far-left elite. He throws lavish parties at the French Laundry while locking down small businesses and sending the working class into ruin.

  • Rob Bonta, the Attorney General, who is more interested in releasing criminals than protecting citizens. Under his watch, crime has soared while victims are ignored.

  • Tony Thurmond, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, focused more on racial activism, gender ideology, and political indoctrination than on math, reading, or preparing kids for real life.

  • London Breed, Karen Bass, Shirley Weber, Barbara Lee, and the rest of the California political ruling class — all cut from the same progressive communist democrat ideological cloth. All are complicit in the decay.

They push one thing above all else: CONTROL! Mask mandates, energy restrictions, housing mandates, speech codes — all wrapped in the language of “equity” and “justice” while the state crumbles beneath them.

What Have They Given Us?

  • Exploding homelessness in every major city — tent cities, open-air drug use, human suffering on full display while billions vanish into failed programs.

  • Crippling taxes and regulations — driving out small businesses and middle-class families while mega-corporations and tech billionaires cozy up to Sacramento for special treatment.

  • Crime without consequence — thanks to radical DAs like George Gascón, violent criminals walk free while law-abiding citizens live in fear.

  • A public school system that is in freefall, where basic academics are tossed aside for fringe ideology and identity politics.

  • Energy blackouts, water shortages, and infrastructure decay — in a state with more natural resources than entire countries.

  • An agricultural bounty was decimated by water diverted to the ocean to save a worthless fish.

This is not progress. It’s not liberalism. It’s not compassion. It’s state-sanctioned collapse, sold to the public as moral superiority.

A One-Party Tyranny

Let’s stop pretending there’s any real political opposition left in California. The GOP is irrelevant, and the so-called “moderates” are just quieter progressives. This is the progressive communist democrat uniparty — a corrupt political cartel that rewards loyalty to ideology and punishes independent thought.

They don’t govern for the people. They govern to preserve their political power.

Dissent is smeared as “hate.” Parental rights are demonized. Merit is mocked. And the only thing the ruling class seems to fear is losing their grip on the narrative.

But the truth is starting to cut through the propaganda. Californians are waking up — or they’re getting out. Over 500,000 people left the state in just a few years. It’s not weather. It’s not cost. It’s the corrupt political system with increasing government, regulations, taxes, and pandering to non-citizen illegal aliens.

Can It Be Saved?

Maybe. But not by playing nice. Not by hoping the next election will fix it. California needs a political reckoning — and it won’t come from within the uniparty. It will come from people willing to speak the truth, resist, and build outside the system they’ve hijacked.

Bottom line…

California isn’t just sick. It’s being deliberately poisoned.

And the only cure is to take back power from the progressive communist democrat idiots and ideologues who ruined what was once the greatest state in the union.

When you have nobody in the State to challenge and check your excesses, this can and will lead to the arrogance of the elite, where you believe there will be no consequences for mistakes, evil actions, or outright corruption. 

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE VATICAN AFTER FRANCIS: CHOOSING THE NEXT DIRECTION

P-sign

With the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church enters a pivotal period of transition that will shape its future path.

As the first pope from Latin America (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) left a lasting impact on the Church by championing a far-left agenda featuring social justice, wealth redistribution, global climate change, and a vision of greater inclusivity.

As a great thought experiment, and a complex one with profound implications for the coming years, let us consider the hypothetical of the future pope continuing to move the Catholic Church ideologically leftward, diverging further from traditional conservative values on the Church’s identity, governance, and its influence on the broader Catholic community.

Consider the implications of a transformative papal policy that reimagines the Catholic Church’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Some of the issues being discussed:

  • Ordination of married men in regions facing priest shortages

  • Reframing celibacy as a spiritual gift rather than a mandatory requirement — shifting the language from obligatory to voluntary

  • More nuanced positions on divorce and remarriage

  • Rethinking the role of women in significant leadership roles, including the priesthood

  • More latitude for regional bishops’ conferences to adapt Church teachings to indigenous cultural influences

  • Support for non-abortive contraception, framed as “responsible love”

  • Full pastoral welcome for transgender and nonbinary Catholics

  • A call for decriminalizing drug use and treating addiction as a public health issue

  • Advocacy for restorative justice, prison reform, and an end to the death penalty

  • A controversial appeal for global dialogue on assisted dying, especially in extreme cases of terminal suffering

  • Open borders, framing migration as a “God-given right”

  • International wealth taxation and redistribution to fight inequality and climate devastation

  • Condemnation of the current elitist global order as “sacrilegious”

  • Unprecedented transparency and accountability, especially in financial or sexual abuse scandals, which can result in the decentralization of power from the Curia to local churches.

Many believe that a more progressive pope might make the Church more appealing to younger generations, lapsed Catholics, and non-Catholics, especially in Western societies, by emphasizing topics like LGBTQ+ inclusion, women in leadership, interfaith dialogue, and climate action.

Of course, such a move would predictably widen rifts among traditionalist Catholics and those in traditionally conservative regions — particularly in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, where the faithful often lean toward orthodoxy.  

Then there is the danger of an unstoppable rift as a progressive pope would appoint like-minded bishops and cardinals, reshaping the College of Cardinals and making the next election likely to continue the same leftward trajectory — unless there’s a strong conservative backlash.

Bottom line…

Unfortunately, the leadership decision is not susceptible to persuasion by the media, the faithful, or others outside the eligible voting members of the College of Cardinals.

It should be noted that Pope Francis appointed 108 of the current 135 cardinal electors, many of them younger than traditional appointees, significantly shaping the future of the Catholic Church. This represents 80% of the 135 cardinals eligible to elect the next Pope. His appointments emphasized global representation, with cardinals from 76 countries, including 25 nations previously unrepresented in the College of Cardinals. Notably, he elevated prelates from regions such as Rwanda, Mongolia, and South Sudan, reflecting his commitment to a less Eurocentric and more globally inclusive Church.

The Catholic Church is at a crossroads.

Are the Cardinals willing to confront the evil of progressivism and Marxist-based liberation theology directly or moderate into a “go along to get along” leftward drift?

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE STATE OF MISSOURI VS. JUSTICE: WHY IS CHRISTOPHER DUNN STILL BEING PROSECUTED AFTER 34 YEARS IN PRISON?

Dunn

In a just world, when a man is declared factually innocent by not one, but two judges, he walks free.

In Missouri, however, justice is less about truth than protecting reputations. Christopher Dunn has spent over three decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. Despite clear evidence of his innocence and judges affirming it, the state is still fighting to keep him incarcerated. Why? Because freeing him would mean admitting that the system failed badly.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled this week that Attorney General Andrew Bailey has the authority to appeal the exoneration of Christopher Dunn, a man who spent 34 years in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit.

This Court granted the State of Missouri’s transfer application and ordered the cause transferred prior to opinion by the court of appeals as to the issue raised in the court of appeals’ show cause order—whether the State of Missouri has the right to appeal a judgment vacating or setting aside a conviction under section 547.031.1 This Court holds the State of Missouri is an aggrieved party with a statutory right to appeal under section 512.020(5) and retransfers this cause to the court of appeals to overrule the circuit attorney’s motion to dismiss and proceed with the state’s appeal on the merits. <SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI (en banc) Opinion No. SC100878 issued April 15, 2025 >

A Flawed Case Built on Police and Prosecutorial Coercion

Christopher Dunn, a Missouri man, was wrongfully convicted of the 1990 murder of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers in St. Louis and spent 34 years in prison. At age 18, Dunn was sentenced to life without parole based on the testimony of two young eyewitnesses, aged 12 and 14, who later recanted, claiming coercion by police and prosecutors. No physical evidence ever linked Dunn to the crime, and he maintained his innocence throughout. The recantations and allegations of police and prosecutorial misconduct should have been enough to re-examine the case. But it wasn’t.

Judges Agree: He Is Innocent

In 2020, Judge William Hickle reviewed the evidence and found what many advocates had been saying for years: Christopher Dunn is “factually innocent.” A second judge reaffirmed this conclusion. These aren’t just legal technicalities; “factual innocence” means that, had this evidence been available at trial, no reasonable jury would have found Dunn guilty. It’s a damning indictment of the original case and a glaring call for an immediate statement of exoneration from Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

And yet, here we are.

Why Is He Still Being Prosecuted?

The Missouri Attorney General’s office has responded to Dunn’s exoneration not with action toward exoneration, but with resistance. Their reasoning? Under Missouri law, even actual innocence is not always enough to overturn a conviction unless the death penalty is involved. In other words, a living, innocent man can rot in prison because the system values procedure over truth.

Let that sink in.

Protecting the System at All Costs

The state is aggrieved by the circuit court’s amended judgment vacating the convictions because the state has an interest in the finality of its convictions, and the circuit court’s amended judgment vacated or set aside those convictions. <SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI (en banc) Opinion No. SC100878 issued April 15, 2025 >

What’s happening here is a desperate attempt by the State of Missouri to protect its institutions. Admitting Dunn’s wrongful conviction means confronting the uncomfortable truths of police misconduct, prosecutorial error, and judicial failure. It means acknowledging that the lives shattered by a flawed legal process are not outliers but warnings of a clear and present judicial danger to other defendants.

Rather than face this shameful episode, Missouri is doubling down on legal technicalities, preserving its reputation at the expense of a man’s freedom. Christopher Dunn is a casualty of a system that is more concerned with appearances than accountability.

Bottom line…

Christopher Dunn’s continued persecution is not just a personal tragedy; it’s a national disgrace. If the State of Missouri can hold on to an innocent man after two judges say “let him go,” what does that say about Missouri’s justice system? What does it say about those individuals supervising the judicial system?

The fight for Dunn’s freedom is not just about one man. It’s about whether we, as a society, are willing to demand integrity from our legal system, or if we’ll stand by and let it bury its mistakes.

Where is the notorious civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and his media circus? Where are the “Justice for Christopher Dunn” marches? Where is the multi-million dollar admission of wrongdoing?

With these types of police and judicial bad actors, we are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


CRIME IN AMERICA: PROGRESSIVE COMMUNIST DEMOCRATS ARE TURNING PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC INTO POLITICAL STRATEGY

PCD-JAILBREAK

For decades, Democrats positioned themselves as champions of law and order.

However, from the Clinton-era 1994 Crime Bill to Obama’s calls for secure borders, the Democrat party once promised to protect Americans from criminal activity and illegal entry. However, under the Obama and Biden administrations, something has clearly changed. Sanctuary cities exploded, violent repeat offenders were seeing their most serious charges plea bargained away, and illegal alien criminals were being shielded from ICE. Violent repeat offenders were being returned to our communities. Why?

The answer may be more calculated—and more dangerous—than most Americans realize.

From Public Safety to Political Strategy.

Progressive communist democrats have increasingly aligned themselves with individuals who have broken U.S. immigration laws—even those who commit identity theft, fraud, or violent and gang-related crimes. In places like New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, St. Louis, and Chicago, local policing policies now prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, even in cases involving violent criminal behavior.

Just one example: In 2023, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant arrested multiple times in NYC—including for assault—was released again and again under sanctuary city protections. He later appeared in a viral video assaulting a police officer in Times Square. And yet, progressives continue to argue that such individuals are victims of a “broken system.”

Is Chaos the Point?

On closer observation, this acceptance of lawlessness appears to be part of a deeper political agenda.

By supporting marginalized criminal populations and leaning into identity-based narratives, far-left progressive communist democrats—deeply rooted in Marxist/Leninist theory—seek to fracture the American social fabric. They frame enforcement of immigration law as “oppression” and paint law-abiding citizens as complicit in systemic injustice. The result? Division, confusion, and fear as illegal aliens breach U.S. sovereignty and invade America.

There is little doubt that the Cloward-Piven strategy, developed by two communist professors, is being used to overwhelm the legal system to force a mass amnesty of illegal aliens rather than deport them.

This climate of chaos and lawfare not only weakens trust in law enforcement but also sets the stage for more extreme reforms—like disarming the public in the name of “gun control,” expanding federal oversight of local police, or growing the power of unelected bureaucracies.

The Rise of the Criminal-Judicial Complex

Enter the criminal-judicial complex: a tangled alliance of activist lawyers, public defenders, advocacy groups, and progressive activist judges. As cases flood the courts and the system gets clogged, the demand for “alternatives to incarceration” rises, many of which funnel billions into programs overseen by ideologically motivated non-governmental organizations. Meanwhile, the criminal bar—especially in major cities—makes its living defending a growing pool of repeat offenders, including illegal immigrants who dodge ICE holds.

This isn’t just neglect. It’s policy.

The 2026 Election Wildcard

With the 2026 midterms approaching, all eyes are on the House and Senate majorities. Could soft-on-crime immigration policies be part of a lawfare strategy, meant to destabilize conservative leadership, overwhelm state resources, and reshape the national narrative before Americans head to the polls?

I say yes, while the progressive propagandists in the legacy media dismiss the idea as a conspiracy. Regardless of where you stand, the facts speak for themselves: violent criminals are being protected, laws are being ignored, and those who raise concerns are being labeled as “extremists.”

Bottom Line

The question isn’t just why progressive communist democrats are rejecting the law and leaving communities defenseless by protecting criminal illegal immigrants. The real question is: What are they preparing for?

Because if legal contravention and political chaos are the plan… It’s working.

We are so screwed,

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


RACE BAITERS: THE MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR HUSTLE OF CORPORATE COWARDICE

Sharp-boycott

There is little doubt in my mind that the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) movement is little more than another progressive scam ginned up by pointy-head academics, particularly lawyers looking for a payday.

While its proponents assert that the DEI movement is a multifaceted initiative aimed at fostering fair treatment, representation, and opportunity for all individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, the reality is that it is, instead, a political weapon used by “progressive communist Democrats” and “American Marxists” to gain political power and profit, through reverse racism and placing color over competence.

Once again, we see the “Reverend Al Sharpton,” race-hustler and provocateur, with his hand out, not in friendship, but grasping for dollars…

REV. SHARPTON ISSUES STATEMENT ON REV. JAMAL BRYANT’S PARTICIPATION IN MEETING WITH TARGET CEO BRIAN CORNELL

Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement after Rev. Jamal Bryant confirmed he attended yesterday’s meeting with Target CEO Brian Cornell.

“I am glad to see some of the initial confusion has been cleared up, as Rev. Bryant has publicly shared he attended the meeting I had Thursday with Target CEO Brian Cornell at NAN’s office in New York. It is imperative we make it clear, on the record, that he and I are aligned, especially as those seeking to dismantle DEI will sow divisions to advance their cause. We took a photo to put it crystal clear that the CEO and I met, but this is not just a photo opp. This was a message that we will go public with progress and what the answers are for the things we asked for.” <Source>

REV. SHARPTON ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER MEETING WITH PEPSICO EXECUTIVES AT COMPANY’S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS THIS MORNING  

Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement after meeting with PepsiCo leadership at the company’s global headquarters in Purchase, NY this morning.

“This morning, I and several members of NAN met with PepsiCo Chairman Ramon Laguarta and CEO of PepsiCo North America Steven Williams for more than an hour to discuss our grievances over reports they were rolling back nearly $500 million in DEI commitments. It was a constructive conversation, which PepsiCo agreed to hold within the 21 days we gave them to meet. We agreed to follow up meetings within the next few days. After that continued dialogue, NAN Chairman Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and I, both former members of the company’s African American Advisory Board, will make a final determination and recommendation to the organization on what we will do around PepsiCo moving forward, as we continue to deal with a broader swath of corporations with whom we will either boycott or buy-cott.” <Source>

Many a truth is told in jest…

A Modern Morality Tale: Reverend Elijah Truth and the Gospel of Leverage

Reverend Elijah Truth was not your average preacher. Clad in thousand-dollar suits and armed with a custom-made Bible embossed with gold trim, he preached not from the pulpit of a church, but from the conference rooms of Fortune 500 companies.

His ministry, Voices of Equity and Justice Foundation—a tax-exempt, nonprofit juggernaut—was marketed as a beacon of corporate diversity and inclusion consulting. In reality, it operated more like a moral shakedown syndicate with gospel overtones.

Reverend Truth had mastered the art of the press conference. Whenever a corporation stumbled—an executive’s offhand comment, a controversial hiring decision, or just an old photo resurfacing—Reverend Truth would appear, haloed by cameras, demanding justice.

If they won’t listen to the cries of the oppressed, they’ll hear the thunder of the boycott!” he’d proclaim to the applause of rented protestors holding freshly printed signs.

But behind the holy rhetoric was a chilling offer: either donate generously to Voices of Equity and Justice or hire them for extensive “anti-racism training programs,” or else prepare for a smear campaign so fiery it could melt stock prices.

Most companies paid up. Not out of guilt, but fear. CEOs whispered to one another about the time a rival firm refused—and was promptly featured in a blistering exposé coordinated by the Reverend’s progressive mainstream media contacts. The story trended for two weeks. Their brand took a hit. Their board panicked. The CEO was out by Friday.

So when Reverend Truth called, executives didn’t ask “how much?” They asked, “Where do we wire it?”

And so the Reverend prospered. His mansion in Atlanta, his fleet of black Escalades, his private retreats in St. Lucia—all funded under the righteous banner of justice.

Of course, the press never questioned him. Who would dare? His critics were labeled as enemies of progress. The few who tried ended up in headlines themselves, accused of bias, insensitivity, or worse, racism.

It was a holy empire, powered by fear, cloaked in virtue.

And Reverend Elijah Truth? He slept like a baby, knowing that in corporate America, redemption had a price—and he knew precisely how to invoice it.

Bottom line…

At some point, corporate executives must rediscover the backbone to stand up for the interests of their shareholders and the integrity of their institutions. For too long, they’ve cowered before self-appointed moral arbiters—activists who wield identity politics like a cudgel, extracting payouts under the guise of “equity” and “anti-racism.”

These race-baiters and professional agitators have built entire careers on leveraging guilt, fear, and the threat of bad press. It’s time for leadership to stop capitulating and start asking tough questions: Does this serve our mission? Does this create value? Or are we simply buying silence from hustlers who see social justice as a business model?

Enough is enough. The next boardroom hero will be the one who finally tells them to pound sand.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


WELCOME TO THE DEMOCRAT FREAKSHOW: THE RISE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PARTY OF PERVERSION

Pcd--conference

Once upon a not-so-distant time, in the shattered shell of what used to be the United States of America, a corrupt progressive communist democrat political force slithered its way into power. Not a party of ideas, not a party of values—but a party of projection, perversion, and pathological self-loathing.

They call themselves “Democrats,” as if the use of the historical name can disguise the deep infiltration of communist activists and agitators.

Their motto? “Forward Into Madness.”

This isn’t your average political party. This is a cult of contradiction, an abnormal, dysfunctional, and bizarre coalition of the bizarre. Their platform? A full-throated rejection of reality and an open-armed embrace of every fringe, freakish, and fanatical idea to crawl out of the postmodern swamp.

They are the party of weirdos, losers, and perverts—and proud of it. 

A coalition of manufactured chaos…

The progressive communist democrats pride themselves on inclusivity, so long as you’re not an ordinary, law-abiding, tax-paying American. If you’re a foreign national here illegally, you’re not just welcome but honored. If you reject every cultural norm, great! If you identify as a furrie, or a pansexual anarcho-pagan tree spirit, you might just be presidential material.

They speak the language of the oppressed, though strangely, oppression always seems to be defined by how many flags you can wave at once or how obscure your identity category is. The more niche your suffering, the higher your place in their ideological caste system.

And don’t get them started on vegans. In the progressive communist democrat party, meat is murder, but state-sanctioned child indoctrination and sexual mutilation are preferable as “compassionate governance.”

Projection is their modus operandi…

But what truly sets the progressive communist democrats apart is their mastery of projection. Corruption? They scream it from the rooftops—while handing billion-dollar defense contracts to their cousins and laundering campaign funds through nonprofits with names like “The Center for Ethical Disruption.” Perversion? They shout about “protecting the children,” while writing drag queen story hour into the Department of Education’s official curriculum.

If you criticize them, you’re accused of everything they’re guilty of. Racist? Homophobic? Fascist? Take your pick. All you need to do is ask a question they don’t like, and boom—you’re the reincarnation of Hitler or Mussolini. 

Race over merit…

Merit is dead in the progressive communist democrats’ America—killed off and replaced by a relentless obsession with skin tone. Your skin color now matters more than the content of your character, credentials, or competence. In fact, suggesting otherwise is considered hate speech.

It’s a racial caste system dressed up in the robes of progress. Hiring quotas, reparations programs, and race-based policy decisions aren’t just ideas—they’re moral imperatives. Unity? Not here. Division is the currency, and victimhood is the purchase.

Meanwhile, any actual attempt to treat people equally, regardless of color, is denounced as white supremacy. Orwell would be rolling in his grave if he hadn’t already been canceled for being “problematic.” 

Sex as a sacrament… 

You thought sex was private? Not anymore. In the world of the progressive communist democrats, your sexual orientation isn’t just your business—it’s your entire identity. And the more obscure, controversial, or perverse, the better.

Children are now “gender explorers.” Schools push hormone therapy while banning aspirin. The line between healthy development and state-sponsored grooming is so blurred it might as well not exist.

Sex isn’t something sacred, it’s a tool—weaponized, politicized, and pumped into every institution like toxic gas. Questioning this hypersexualized crusade marks you as an enemy of progress—one who clearly needs re-education, or at the very least, censorship.

America’s enemies are the friends and funders… 

The progressive communist democrats’ foreign policy could be written in crayon: “America Last.” If a regime hates the U.S., they’re in line for aid and admiration. Terror states? Misunderstood freedom fighters. Authoritarian dystopias? Models of “equity-based governance.”

Meanwhile, veterans sleep under bridges. Farmers go bankrupt. Small businesses rot. But hey, at least the progressive communist democrats sent $400 million to the Trans-Inclusive Sustainable Cow Protection Initiative in Outer Uzbekistan.

Prestigious institutions of higher learning are willing to accept millions of dollars from our enemies, including their foreign students who steal our intellectual property or organize to overthrow our capitalist system. 

Bottom line…

In the progressive communist democrats’ party of projection, there is no truth—only narrative. No standards—only identity. No justice—only theater. And the longer they reign, the more the average American becomes the true dissident in their own homeland.

But be careful saying any of this out loud. In progressive communist democrat-run America, questioning the revolution is the only real crime. Everything else is “authentic expression.”

When the weirdos run the asylum, sanity becomes rebellion. And rebellion, my friend, might be our only way out.

DEMFUTURE

I prefer not to be killed by a drunk driver who shouldn't be here in the first place.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


HELL NO! ARE PROGRESSIVE SCIENTISTS NOW TARGETING DOGS AND DOG OWNERS?

Dugie-dog

As a sportsman, I am all-in on a cleaner environment and eliminating air, water, and ground pollution.

At the same time, I loathe progressive assholes, especially scientists, who try to correlate everything with “global carbon emissions” and the adverse pollution of our ecosphere to produce a publishable paper.

And, I don’t need a scientist to tell me to follow the rules and pickup my dog’s poop and dispose of it properly.

Bad dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs
Philip W. Bateman A, and Lauren N. Gilson

Abstract

Dogs as owned pet animals are globally ubiquitous and numerous. While the impact of cats, both feral and owned, on biodiversity has been relatively well-studied, by contrast, the comparative effect of owned dogs has been poorly acknowledged. As the commonest large carnivore in the world, the environmental impacts of owned dogs are extensive and multifarious: they are implicated in direct killing and disturbance of multiple species, particularly shore birds, but also their mere presence, even when leashed, can disturb birds and mammals, causing them to leave areas where dogs are exercised. Furthermore, scent traces and urine and faeces left by dogs can continue to have this effect even when dogs are not present. Faeces and urine can transfer zoonoses to wildlife and, when accumulated, can pollute waterways and impact plant growth. Owned dogs that enter waterways contribute to toxic pollution through wash-off of chemical ectoparasite treatment applications. Finally, the sheer number of dogs contributes to global carbon emissions and land and fresh water use via the pet food industry. We argue that the environmental impact of owned dogs is far greater, more insidious, and more concerning than is generally recognised.


Fig. 2.

Negative effects of dogs on the environment include (a) predatory behaviour and chasing, resulting in fleeing by wildlife, with effects on mortality, energetics and reproduction, (b) presence in an area, resulting in effects on diversity and abundance of multiple taxa, with possible effects on reproduction, (c) entering water, with wash-off veterinary products affecting diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa, possible subsequent effects on aquatic vertebrates, and (d) presence of urine and faeces, with increases in nitrogen in water courses, effects on health of vegetation, and spread of zoonoses and parasites.

It might be expected that dog owner behaviour would be easier to remedy; however, as intimated above, there is much ignorance (perhaps understandable) among dog owners regarding the effects of dogs on the environment, together with recalcitrance towards taking responsibility for and mitigating their dogs’ impacts. An extreme example is reported by Fulton (2022), who was threatened with violence when asking people not to drive cars or walk dogs on a protected beach that prohibited these activities.

The problem with owned dogs and their environment will not just go away. There needs to be a dialogue on how we can maintain our important relationship with companion animals and balance that with a meaningful, sustainable stewardship of the environments on which both people and their dogs and resident or migratory wildlife depend.

Philip W. Bateman; Associate Professor, School of Molecular & Life Sciences, Curtin University, W. Australia

Lauren N. Gilson; Behaviour and Ecology Research Group, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, W. Australia


<Pacific Conservation Biology 31, PC24071 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC24071 >

<PC24071Abstract  | PC24071 Full Text  | PC24071PDF (1.7 MB)   Open Access Article>

Bottom line…

Another “footnoted, fully referenced, scientific paper” that cites the obvious and has little value to the scientific community beyond seeking credit and funding for the authors. This is analogous to a paper pointing out that murderers are harmful to individuals but beneficial to the environment, as they eliminate specific individuals who consume planetary resources.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


WHO THE HELL ELECTED JUDGE BOASBERG PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

I am tired of the progressive communist democrats, their partisan attorneys, their activist judges, and their never-ending attempt to ensnare President Donald Trump in lawfare.

BOASBERG

JUDGE VS TRUMP
Boasberg Begins Contempt Proceedings Against Trump Admin

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled Wednesday that “probable cause exists” to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt after they violated his orders by continuing deportation flights, according to CNN. The ruling follows the Supreme Court determining that Boasberg’s court was in an improper venue for the case altogether.

Boasberg halted the use of the administration using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans that were allegedly gang members.

“The Court ultimately determines that the Government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt,” Boasberg wrote in his decision.

“The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions,” the decision reads. “None of their responses has been satisfactory.”

The Trump administration has been conducting deportation flights of alleged gang members of Tren de Aragua to prisons in El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.

Boasberg ordered the administration to stop the flights, but the administration refused. <Source>

GANGBANGER

Bottom line…

It is time for Chief Justice John Roberts and the United States Supreme Court to define the limits of the federal judiciary with respect to the President’s Article II powers. It is also time to remove U.S. District Judge James Boasberg from the bench for repeated attempts to interfere with the President’s sworn duties to ensure the safety and security of the United States.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


EIGHTEEN YEARS OF ONE CITIZEN SPEAKING

It's been 18 years...

So here is my first post.

Blog-one

And my message for today...

For those who believe the progressive communist democrats and their media propagandists who claim that America is a fascist hell-hole while our European neighbors are living in an egalitarian society filled with personal freedom, social harmony, and economic prosperity, you are fucking delusional.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


TRUMP FATIGUE: TIME FOR A NAP

FATIGUE
Trump Fatigue is real.

The relentless pace of executive orders, the chaos-by-design communications strategy, the whiplash of contradictions, firings, legal fights, and power plays — it’s a nonstop barrage. I wake up and brace for whatever fresh disruption the day will bring, not from Congress, not through careful deliberation, but by executive fiat.

This isn’t governance. It’s rule by spectacle, with policy churned out like social media content: quick, provocative, and aimed more at owning headlines than solving problems. The traditional gears of democracy — debate, compromise, legislative process — are being sidestepped, dismissed as too slow or too weak.

It’s not just the policies (though those are alarming enough). It’s the velocity. The endless breaking news alerts. The constant tension. The feeling that no institution is safe from becoming the next political target. That exhaustion is the point — wear us down, keep us disoriented, make the outrageous feel routine.

And here we are, mid-April. Just ten weeks in. What will the coming months look like if this is the opening act?

I’m tired. But I’m also paying attention. Because that’s the only antidote to the fatigue — to witness, call out, and resist the normalization of chaos.

We’re going to need endurance to prevent from being screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


TRUMP'S GOLD CARD: A GREAT DICTATOR EXIT STRATEGY?

Trump-goldcard-debut
I am hearing rumblings that certain financial institutions, hedge funds, and venture capitalists are considering loaning certain business contacts, entrepreneurs, and other important individuals the millions necessary to purchase these cards in return for an equity interest and profit participation in any enterprises involving these individuals.

There are some who are contemplating this program as a way to utilize dirty money to buy a measure of security in America. Or allow foreign officials to purchase an “exit strategy” from their current corrupt regimes.

Bottom line…

The devil is in the details.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


INSIDER TRADING? ONLY ILLEGAL IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE CONGRESS

SCHIFF-INSIDER
When Americans think about fairness in the stock market, there’s a clear expectation: no one should have an unfair advantage, especially not elected officials. Yet, in a troubling display of double standards, members of Congress have historically sidestepped rules that would land everyday citizens in serious legal trouble for violating insider trading laws.

FAUXCHAHONTAS-INSIDER-TRADING

Fauxcahontas speaks…

Top Senate Democrats urge SEC probe into whether Trump, GOP manipulated stocks

Top Senate Democrats accused President Trump and his inner circle of manipulating the market before he announced his 90-day pause on most tariffs.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Mr. Trump, members of his Cabinet, administration officials, insiders or donors engaged in “insider trading, market manipulation or other securities laws” after the president’s insistence that it was a “great time to buy” ahead of his announcement to pause his reciprocal tariffs.

Mr. Trump this week announced that he would drop his tariff rate to 10% for countries that don’t retaliate, while cranking up tariffs against China to 125%.

As a result, the stock market on Wednesday mounted a historic rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 7.9%, the Nasdaq skyrocketed 12.2%, and the S&P 500 rose 9.5%. But stocks flopped again the next day.

But Ms. Warren of Massachusetts, alongside Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, and others alleged that a social media post before the president’s announcement warranted a probe into whether any market manipulation occurred.

The lawmakers noted in a letter to the agency on Thursday that hours before his announcement to pause tariffs, the president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.”

They said it was “unclear which officials and affiliates of President Trump had advance knowledge” of his plan, but insiders may have been wise to his next move and the impact it would have on the stock market. 

“It is unconscionable that as American families are concerned about their financial security during this economic crisis entirely manufactured by the President, insiders may have actively profited from the market volatility and potentially perpetrated financial fraud on the American public,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“At this critical moment, the SEC must do its part to restore Americans’ faith in the rule of law and to preserve the integrity of the financial system, in accordance with its statutory mission,” they continued.

The lawmakers called on the SEC to outline what steps have been or will be taken to investigate market manipulation, insider trading or other violations of federal securities laws in connection with the tariff pause, whether the White House has communicated with the agency about a possible investigation and how staff reductions at the SEC have affected the agency’s ability to investigate such a matter. 

The Washington Times reached out to the White House for comment.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, similarly said House Democrats would mount investigations into whether any market manipulation surrounded the president’s tariff announcement.

“We need to get to the bottom of the possible stock manipulation that is unfolding before the American people,” Mr. Jeffries said on Thursday. “Including what, if any, advance knowledge did members of the House Republican Conference have of Trump’s decision to pause the reckless tariffs that he put into place?” <Source>

Senators and the Insider Trading Loophole: A Broken Trust

The STOCK Act, passed in 2012, was meant to increase transparency and prohibit members of Congress from using non-public information for financial gain. It sounded like a step in the right direction.

However, enforcement has been weak over the years, and compliance has been questionable. Lawmakers have delayed or failed to disclose trades, and investigations rarely lead to consequences. Even when red flags are raised, political privilege often shields those in power.

This perceived self-exemption damages public trust and creates a dangerous precedent: those who write the rules aren’t always subject to them.

Until there is meaningful reform—with real enforcement, penalties, and accountability—the message is clear: in the halls of Congress, it’s not always rules for thee and not for me.

True reform would require tightening the STOCK Act, mandating real-time trade disclosures, banning individual stock trading by sitting members of Congress, and establishing an independent body to enforce violations. Without these changes, the perception—and often the reality—remains that lawmakers can legally profit from information the public doesn’t have.

Bottom line…

Insider trading isn’t just an ethical issue; it’s a legal one. Elected officials are supposed to serve the people, not their portfolios. Trust in government is already fragile, and every shady stock trade only deepens the divide between so-called public servants and the public they claim to represent.

If democracy is to mean anything, it must be rooted in fairness. That means no special treatment for Members of Congress, no loopholes, and no more excuses. 

It’s time Congress played by the same rules as everyone else—or step aside for those who will.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


JEWS: WHY YOUR SEDER PLATE MIGHT BE MISSING THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT, COMMON SENSE

Passover--2025

There is no doubt in my mind that too many liberal American Jews, mostly progressive Marxist democrats, are prioritizing opposition to former President Donald Trump over taking meaningful action against the rising tide of Islamist-driven anti-semitism, particularly on college campuses.

Even the most traditional fighters of anti-Semitic hate have been compromised, especially the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), one of the most prominent Jewish advocacy organizations in the United States. Not so coincidentally, the ADL is headed by Jonathan Greenblatt, a former Obama administration official who ignores the fact that Obama is anti-America, anti-White, and a pro-Islamicist anti-Semite who advocated for a nuclear Iran to check Israel’s power in the region.

The same Iran that has sworn to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. Who threatens to kill the "Little Satan" (Israel) before moving on to the "Big Satan: (America).

I find it detestable that the ADL and their fellow travelers continue to resist President Trump’s initiatives to crack down on campus anti-semitism, including deporting foreign students who promote violence against Jews or support Hamas.

How is it possible that prominent Jewish Democrats demonstrate continued ideological loyalty to liberal values and institutions, even when those institutions have become hostile to Jews and Israel? Are they more concerned with maintaining their alliances and status within elite circles than with protecting Jewish students or confronting the left-wing ideologies (like critical race theory and DEI) that have normalized anti-Semitism?

As we approach Passover, one of the most important and widely observed holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the holiday should serve as a reminder of Jewish unity and the struggle for freedom.

However, it appears that many progressive Marxist Jews are “reimagining” the traditional Passover seder to accept, or even prioritize, a hostile foreign ideology over Jewish history and survival.

The Passover seder is a ritual meal held on the first (and often second) night(s) of Passover. It’s the most widely practiced Jewish ritual, even among secular Jews.

Key parts of the seder include:

  • The Haggadah: The text that guides the seder, filled with prayers, songs, commentary, and the retelling of the Exodus story.

There are many rewritten or modernized Haggadahs that omit, modify, or reinterpret traditional passages:

 “In every generation…”
“For not only one enemy has risen up against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise up to destroy us. But the Holy One, Blessed be He, delivers us from their hands.”

 Traditional meaning and why some omit it: A sober reminder of recurring anti-semitism and divine deliverance. Critics argue it promotes a victim mentality, fatalism, or unnecessary focus on persecution, especially when trying to emphasize universalism or interfaith solidarity.

 “Pour out Your wrath…”
“Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You…” (said after opening the door for Elijah).

Traditional meaning and why some omit it: A cry for justice against those who oppress or threaten Jews. Critics claim it’s considered too harsh or vengeful, especially in interfaith or politically progressive settings. Some feel it conflicts with messages of peace, compassion, or reconciliation. 

  • The Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah): Asked by the youngest at the table, these highlight what makes the night different from all others.

  • The Four Cups of Wine: Symbolizing God’s four expressions of redemption.

  • Matzah (unleavened bread): A reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt.

  • Maror (bitter herbs): Symbolizing the bitterness of slavery.

  • Charoset: A sweet mixture representing the mortar used by Jewish slaves.

  • The Ten Plagues: Recounted to remember the suffering inflicted on Egypt to free the Israelites.

  • “Next Year in Jerusalem”: A closing aspiration expressing hope for peace, redemption, and spiritual fulfillment.

In remembrance...

Bibas FamilyPalestinian militants kidnapped members of the Bibas family from their home at the Nir Oz kibbutz in Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and brutally murdered the mother and her two children. After 484 days in captivity, the husband, Yarden, was released on February 1, 2025. 

Bottom line…

Regardless of one’s views of President Trump, it is a moral imperative to support those who fight against anti-Semitism and for the survival of the State of Israel. To do otherwise is an abject betrayal of the Jewish people and your heritage.

How can Jews, in good faith and conscience, support those who openly celebrate the barbaric savages who murdered, raped, tortured and kidnapped men, women, and children? Or those who cheer their activities and pray for more Oct. 7 massacres of Israelis?

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

Remember to say a prayer for Dennis Prager's recovery. See the great Dennis Prager conduct a Seder.


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DON'T LET THE HEADLINES FOOL YOU—SELLING NOW IS THE REAL RISK


Friction-narrative
Don’t Panic: Why You Shouldn’t Sell Your Stocks During Political Turmoil

When political headlines start shaking the markets—be it elections, geopolitical tensions, or unexpected leadership changes—it’s easy to feel the urge to panic. Watching your portfolio dip can trigger the fight-or-flight instinct, and selling everything might feel like a safe escape.

But here’s why holding your ground is often the wiser move.

  • It’s All About the Narrative
    Political events often come wrapped in layers of narrative, both despair and optimism, mostly manufactured, often exaggerated. Markets are swayed not just by actual policies or events, but by how they’re framed in the media and perceived by investors. One day it’s the end of the world, the next it’s a new golden age. Recognizing the theatrical nature of these cycles can help you keep perspective. Behind every dramatic headline is usually a deeper strategy to influence opinion or voter behavior—and your financial future shouldn’t be at the mercy of the day’s spin.

  • Markets React, But They Also Recover
    History shows that while political events can cause short-term volatility, markets typically rebound once the dust settles. Selling in a downturn can lock in your losses, while staying invested allows you to ride the recovery wave when sentiment shifts.

  • Emotions Cloud Judgment
    Reacting emotionally, especially to dramatic headlines, can lead to impulsive decisions. Investing is a long game. Letting short-term political noise drive long-term financial choices usually backfires.

  • Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market
    Trying to guess the perfect exit and re-entry points rarely works. Missing just a few of the market’s best recovery days can drastically reduce your long-term returns.

  • Volatility’s Sure Winners: The Brokers
    In choppy markets, one group consistently profits no matter which direction prices move: brokers. Every buy or sell you make generates a fee or commission, and in times of panic, trading volume soars. While investors worry about losses, brokers celebrate as they benefit from the frenzy. That’s another reason to pause before making moves—you might just be lining someone else’s pockets while hurting your own portfolio.

An example...

Hey, About That Not-So-‘Surprising’ Drop In Inflation …

No doubt you’ve already heard the news that inflation actually declined in March on a month-to-month basis for the first time in almost three years, and fell to 2.4% on a yearly basis. This is horrible news, at least for the Democratic Party, which continues to hope for the worst under President Donald Trump.

Economists had actually expected inflation to rise for the month. Instead, this is the first time since July 2022 that the index declined. “Surprising,” said a number of headlines.

Recall for a moment last year’s bold promise from Trump on inflation: “Prices will come down and come down dramatically and come down fast,” he said.

Democrats are in a tough spot. Unable to tar Trump with President Joe Biden’s inflation disaster, Democrats earlier found what they believed was a point of inflation vulnerability for Trump: The soaring cost of eggs!

They complained vociferously about egg prices during the opening days of Trump’s second term, as if his policies had caused the problem. Yet, strangely, Dems and their leftist allies in the media had barely even mentioned the topic until Trump got in office.

Indeed, from 2021 to 2024, egg prices rose on average 13.3% a year as Biden ordered more than 100 million egg-laying hens to be destroyed, leaving store shelves short of eggs. Prices inevitably soared.

Yet on Jan. 28, CNN ran this headline, just days after Trump took office: “Trump pledged to bring down food prices on Day One. Instead, eggs are getting more expensive.”

Uh, not actually. According to Trading Economics, egg prices have plunged 45% since the start of this year. And, as hen flock populations are restored and more eggs are produced, prices will fall further.

As Breitbart Business reported, her colleague, Sunny Hostin doubled down on Goldberg’s cluelessness, by claiming prices for eggs are going up.

Par for the course for the leftist “mainstream” media complex. <Read More>

Bottom Line…
Political turbulence is unsettling, but your investment strategy shouldn’t hinge on daily headlines. Stay focused on your goals, diversify smartly, and remember: storms pass, but panic selling can cause lasting damage.

Need help calming your investing nerves? Talk to a savvy, competent financial advisor, or take a nature walk before you hit “sell.”

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

DEMOSEAL-DOLLAR

CAVEAT: THIS IS POLITICAL COMMENTARY, NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE CORRUPT INFLUENCE OF FUNDING ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate-reality

There is sufficient evidence that decades of climate-related spending, estimated at $2 trillion, have yielded little measurable effect on CO₂ levels, global temperatures, the benefits of electric vehicles, and the accuracy of climate predictions.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), established in 1990, is a consortium of 15 federal agencies tasked with researching global environmental change (primarily climate change). It has a proposed 2025 budget of around $5 billion.

Unfortunately, the USGCRP is politically motivated, mainly supporting left-leaning climate narratives as major contractors like ICF, which helps produce the National Climate Assessment, are linked with Democratic donors.  

Gov’t Climate Propaganda Agency Caught Raking in Billions to Push Gov’t Climate Propaganda

There’s a common term in Washington, D.C. — “beltway bandit.” A beltway bandit is any of the thousands of consulting and services firms whose essential business model is to exploit political connections to obtain government contracts. A lot of that business depends on having the customer’s confidence that any reports resulting from those contracts will do two things. First, the reports will say exactly what the customer agency thinks is in their best interest, and second, that the contracting agency’s goals can only be met if it receives substantially increased funding.

The Daily Wire recently reported on the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which was “established by Congress in 1990 to coordinate federal research and investments in understanding and responding to the forces shaping the global environment, both human and natural, and their impacts on society.” The USGCRP is a consortium of no fewer than 15 cabinet departments and agencies, notably including the Smithsonian, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the EPA, and USAID.

The whole program sounds a little odd. Global change? What change? Don’t worry. What they mean is “a comprehensive and integrated United States research program which will assist the Nation and the world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global change.”

What they mean, of course, is climate change, although they break it up into a bunch of categories that are then bundled up in their annual research program, *Our Changing Planet* (the 2025 program is documented here). This, along with ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are major concerns that must be addressed.

USGCRP is awarded about $5 billion in the 2025 budget request to study change. One of USGCRP’s major contractors is ICF, LLC, a public company traded on the NASDAQ, which is contracted to produce the National Climate Assessment, which Politico’s E&E News calls the “crown jewel” of U.S. climate research.

Okay, so a politically established U.S. government “research project” is contracting with a politically connected consulting firm to produce a politically convenient research report. (Daily Wire couldn’t find any member of ICF that contributed to a Republican, but many of them contributed heavily to Democrats.) Honestly, as a news item, this is probably on a par with reporting that the first day of this week has a name ending with a “Y.”

Underlying this whole dispute is the actual scientific basis for the notion of human-mediated climate change, something we at PJ Media have reported on in the “Climategate” controversy as long ago as 2009.

In the intervening 15 years, more and more data has come out to question the whole argument. Attempts to limit atmospheric CO2 have had no measurable effect, at a cost of $2 trillion (yes, with a T).

Still, the USGCRP and its contractors continue to publish reports, and as expected, those reports continue to say that there is a climate crisis — and more funding is needed.

DOGE is finding billions of dollars in wasteful spending, and the Democrats are losing their minds as they realize their gravy train and woke projects are coming to an end.  <Source>

The climate has changed naturally before.

The Earth has always gone through warming and cooling cycles, long before humans were around. Climate does vary naturally due to orbital changes (Milankovitch cycles), volcanic activity, and solar variability.

At question is the unknown nature of the rate and magnitude of current warming, which far exceeds known natural changes over the last 800,000 years. Climate models and observed data show that natural causes alone can’t explain the current trend, especially since 1950. Many studies have been found to have been cherry-picking short-term fluctuations, including that 1998 and 2016 were strong El Niño years that produced natural spikes. NASA, NOAA, UK Met Office, and other agencies have been caught red-handed manipulating or destroying the raw temperature data, the peer-reviewed journal process, and biasing the research with research funding. 

Climate models are unreliable, and predictions made by climate models don’t match reality, with most of them unable to account for the greatest climate feedback mechanism, atmospheric water vapor.

Bottom line… 

The scientific foundation of human-caused climate change is questionable. It has been polluted with politically-influenced actions to support the funding of left-wing institutions and a false narrative of global governance, wealth redistribution, and the loss of personal freedoms.

We should redirect funding toward eliminating air, water, and ground pollution, and not allow politically connected individuals to continue to pollute by buying government—sanctioned indulgences.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE CONSEQUENCES OF A RADICAL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION BUILDING ITS OWN CITY IN AMERICA

In a world where theocratic ideologies continue to produce terrorism, imagine a scenario where a radical religious organization relocates to America and constructs a city based solely on its own theocratic principles—principles diametrically opposed to the core values of Western civilization.

Warning-m

This does not appear to be a hypothetical or intellectual exercise.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Sounds Alarm on Planned Islamic’ Mega-City’ Near Dallas — Warns of ‘Potential Criminal Activities’

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is launching a campaign against a planned Islamic “mega-city” outside Dallas.

The East Plano Islamic Center, via its affiliate Community Capitol Partners, is seeking to construct a 1,000-home settlement around 40 minutes from Dallas.

The so-called “Sharia City” would come complete with a mosque, Muslim schools, community college, and sporting facilities while serving as a reminder of Islam’s growing influence across America and the Western world.

However, Community Capital Partners claim they just want to build a place “in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony.”

“The vision for EPIC City is simple. We want to build a master-planned, inclusive, family-oriented community that benefits the people who live and work there, and the surrounding area,” said Imran Chaudhary, president of Community Capital Partners.

On Monday, Abbott’s office announced that he had “directed the Texas Rangers to open an investigation” into the East Plano Islamic Center and affiliated entities over “potential criminal activities.” <Source>

This situation begs several essential questions about the implications for governance, social order, individual freedoms, and the broader effects on American society. What would happen if such a city were to emerge successfully?

Let’s explore the potential consequences.

  • Erosion of Individual Rights and Freedoms

At the core of most Western societies lies the principle of individual rights and freedoms. The American Constitution enshrines inalienable rights, guaranteeing every citizen the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, a city built on radical theocratic principles would be governed by laws prioritizing religious doctrine over personal autonomy.

In this city, strict adherence to religious tenets could lead to the suppression of personal freedoms. Women might face extreme restrictions on their rights, such as limited access to education, employment, or personal decision-making. LGBTQ+ individuals could be forced to hide their identities, as religious dogma often condemns non-heteronormative behavior. Non-believers or those from different religious backgrounds may face exclusion, persecution, or forced conversion.

Moreover, freedom of expression would likely be stifled. Criticism of the religious leadership or the city’s laws could result in severe punishment. In an environment like this, people’s fundamental rights—freedom of speech, the right to protest, and even freedom of belief—would be threatened or outright abolished in favor of conformity to the religious doctrine.

  • A Clash of Ideologies: Society at Odds with Itself

One of the key features of Western civilization is its pluralistic nature—different ideas and cultures are allowed to coexist and contribute to a diverse societal fabric. However, creating a city governed by a radical religious ideology would ignite a profound clash of values.

On one hand, the larger American society, grounded in secularism and liberal democratic ideals, would view this theocratic enclave as a serious threat to its values of inclusivity, freedom, and equality. On the other hand, the residents of this city would likely see their existence as a noble attempt to preserve their religious purity and moral values in a world they view as morally corrupt.

The ideological divide would create tensions, both within the new city and the broader community, if not the nation itself. These tensions could escalate into conflicts over governance, human rights, and freedom of movement. The religious enclave could refuse to abide by national laws, creating a fractious relationship with the U.S. government.

  • Economic Isolation and Stunted Growth

A city that rejects the values of Western civilization might also turn its back on modern economic principles. In a globalized world, such an enclave would face significant challenges in maintaining economic viability. The city’s refusal to participate in customary financial practices or accept certain technological advancements could further isolate it from commerce, stunting its economic growth.

In many areas, there is an undue strain on social services, with many Muslims believing that welfare, including goods, services, and other benefits, is their due— a “Jizya” as a tax that was historically levied on non-Muslims (referred to as “dhimmis”) in Islamic states.

Additionally, the economic isolation would put the city in a difficult position regarding resources, especially in times of crisis. For example, a natural disaster or an economic recession could devastate the city, as it would lack the resources, infrastructure, and international support necessary to recover.

  • Security Concerns

Given the repressive nature of theocratic regimes, it’s almost inevitable that the citizens living under such a totalitarian regime would eventually be radicalized, placing the “worst of the worst” among neighboring citizens who are ill-prepared to deal with militant religious terrorists.

A radical religious organization seeking to establish its own theocratic city would inevitably generate security concerns for both its residents and the surrounding population. If the city were to adopt extreme measures, such as violent enforcement of religious laws or an armed militia to protect its borders, it could create a flashpoint for internal conflict.

Moreover, tensions between the theocratic enclave and neighboring communities are guaranteed to escalate into violence. Militias or extremist factions might target their neighbors, leading to a violent standoff that draws in national forces. The security threat posed by this religious faction could prompt the U.S. government to take military action to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Moreover, foreign powers that support the theocratic ideals could align themselves with the city, creating a rift in international politics. These countries might provide resources, weapons, or even military support, exacerbating the situation and turning the conflict into a global struggle between competing ideologies.

Bottom line…

The United States Constitution is not a suicide pact, conveying to our enemies the power to destroy us using our own laws and institutions against us. There must be limits to those ideologies, political, religious, or a combination thereof, that are unacceptable to the interests of Western civilizations.

We have seen, in real-time, what such an incursion might look like in England (Birmingham and East London), France (Paris, Lyon, and Marseille), Netherlands (Rotterdam and Amsterdam), Belgium (Molenbeek District in Brussels), Germany (Neukölln District in Berlin), and, of course, the nascent enclaves in the United States: Michigan (Dearborn and Hamtramck); New York (Bay Ridge District in Brooklyn) and California (Los Angeles Pico-Robertson District and the South Bay. ).

Creating a radical religious city within the United States governed by principles antithetical to Western civilization would have profound consequences for the city’s residents, the nation, and the world. It would serve as a stark reminder of the fragile nature of democratic freedoms and the challenges of radical ideologies.

These incursions underscore the importance of defending the values of equality, freedom, and pluralism that have long been the bedrock of Western civilization. As history has shown, the consequences of ideological extremism are often tragic, and this theocratic scenario would be no exception.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


SORRY! JUST RAN OUT OF FU*KS TO DONATE TO THE PROGRESSIVE COMMUNIST DEMOCRATS

Why Every American Should Totally Care About What Radical Anti-America Communists Think, Say, or Do

COMMIES-1
So, let’s just pause for a moment and all agree on something important: nothing screams “patriotism” quite like obsessing over the opinions of radical anti-America communists.

Why focus on the things that actually matter—like, I don’t know, the economy, education, or maybe, just maybe, a little thing called freedom? Nah, that’s too mainstream. Let’s dive into why every American should be hanging on every word of people who are, quite frankly, thrilled about the idea of tearing down our entire system of government.

First of all, if you’re a true American, you absolutely want to give these radical communists all the attention they could possibly dream of. After all, their lofty goals of "equality" and "redistribution of wealth" totally work, right? Forget centuries of historical evidence proving how communism destroys economies and freedoms. We should really give it another shot! It’s worked everywhere it's been tried (cue eye-roll). You should definitely hang on to their every manifesto and social media post because, clearly, these are the voices of reason in a world of so many irrational freedom-loving people.

And here’s the cherry on top: We definitely need to engage with their loud, anti-capitalist rhetoric. I mean, sure, capitalism has been the foundation of the most powerful and innovative nation in history, but what do we really need? More government control, less personal liberty, and a whole bunch of government-run everything. Can you even imagine a world where everyone is equally miserable? It’s practically utopia, right?

Bottom line…

It’s high time that every red-blooded American makes radical anti-America communists the center of their universe. Their wild visions of a “fairer” society are definitely worth focusing on while we sip our lattes and check out the latest iPhone. Keep fighting for that shiny, all-inclusive dystopia where everyone’s equally… stuck in a government-run nightmare. Doesn’t that sound like real freedom?

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


MANY A TRUTH IS SPOKEN IN JEST...

As President Trump is racing to remove the government's hands from the throats of the American people, the progressive communist democrats are trying to stop Trump -- screaming "Hands Off" as they try to maintain exclusive control over the soul of America, its economy, and culture.

A fevered dream of oppositeville, and the projection of their bad behavior on their opposition is all they have left.

To say we are being royally screwed by the Democrat Party and their brainwashed useful idiot followers is an understatement.

Hands-Off

It's not funny...

UNCLE-SAM-ROBBEDKH-PARTICIPATION
Thunberg-anti-semite1
WE-HATE-TRUMP

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DEMOCRAT NATIONAL COMMITTE: CADRE OF COMMUNIST EXPERTS TO EXPLAN EVERYTHING

DEMOCRAT-DEVIL

There should be no doubt in the minds of any American citizen that the progressive communist democrats are trying to destroy America from within and seize perpetual political power.  

The People’s Cabinet: Former Labor Secretaries Slam Trump’s Failing Economic Agenda

Today, the DNC hosted a press call with DNC Chair Ken Martin, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, and former Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to call out Donald Trump’s reckless economic agenda. With Trump putting the economy on recession watch, it’s clear that Trump and his billionaire Cabinet – including his shadow president Elon Musk – will do nothing but hurt working families and tank economic growth with their reckless agenda.

This press call was part of the DNC’s recently-launched “People’s Cabinet” initiative, which features issue experts speaking to the American people about what’s really happening across the country as Trump fills his administration with unqualified billionaires, Fox News hosts, and mega-donors.

“A majority of Americans did not sign up for what they’re getting from Donald Trump. They didn’t sign up for an economic meltdown. They didn’t sign up to … have their health care, nursing homes, public schools and Social Security targeted,” said DNC Chair Ken Martin. “That’s why the DNC today is launching the People’s Cabinet, which is made up of experts, leaders, and everyday Americans from across the country who will cut through the noise and equip communities with the reliable, accurate information that they need and deserve.”  

“We are in a crisis right now because of Donald Trump and his administration. They have created an economic crisis,” said former Labor Secretary Robert Reich. “Not only do we have an employment report that shows that manufacturing jobs are almost stagnant in terms of where they’ve been and the Labor Department adjusted its figures downward for the last couple of months. … I’ve almost never seen something like this happen.”

“Donald Trump does not have a good track record on [manufacturing]. When he left office, manufacturing jobs were down 200,000 just within his first term … bringing back industry requires not just one blunt instrument, not just throwing out words like tariffs and doing them in a completely unstrategic fashion,” said former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su. “And so just watching an administration that has no real interest in governing, no real interest in making sound policy decisions, but rather just, you know, throwing out terms and words and hoping that people aren’t paying attention.” <Source>

An unelected opposition force to thwart the vote of the majority of citizens…

A permanently hostile opposition force, akin to a shadow government, poses a grave threat to the effective functioning of any democracy. This faction actively works to undermine the efforts of elected representatives, sabotaging progress for the sole purpose of obstructing change. When such opposition is entrenched in perpetuity, it can severely limit the government’s ability to enact policies that benefit the public. The constant infighting and partisan gridlock waste valuable time and hinder the country’s growth and prosperity, leaving the citizens to suffer the consequences. In a healthy democracy, the balance between cooperation and healthy opposition is essential. Still, when that balance is tipped by a destructive force determined to block progress, it prevents the nation from reaching its full potential.

The historical failures of relying on “experts” and their desire to centrally plan the American economy and seize political control over American citizens….

While Marxist ideology emphasizes the empowerment of the working class and the dismantling of hierarchical structures, progressive communist democrats, particularly in the 20th century, placed significant trust in specialists to manage and oversee the economy. Central planning, a cornerstone of these regimes, required expert input to direct production, allocate resources, and set economic goals.

However, the historic failure of experts and central planning became apparent over time. These centralized systems struggled to respond effectively to the dynamic needs of economies, leading to inefficiencies, shortages, poor decision-making, and death, despair, and misery for hundreds of millions of individuals. 

Though well-educated, experts often lacked experience and an on-the-ground understanding of local conditions, and their top-down directives frequently failed to account for the complexities of human behavior and market realities.

This paradoxical dependence on experts raised questions about the true nature of power in these societies, as it often resulted in a concentration of authority within a technocratic elite rather than distributing power among the masses.

While experts were seen as essential to the success of socialist projects, their control over central planning sometimes undermined the very democratic principles communism sought to establish, creating a tension between the ideal of equality and the practical realities of governance, and ultimately contributing to the economic and social failures of communist regimes.

The experts and their history of failure…

REICHRobert Reich, often hailed as the “dwarf communist” has a history of placing the interests of workers over those of a corporation’s shareholders and management, apparently believing in the Marxist ideology that positions businesses as an inherent enemy of labor, locked in a perpetual struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and requiring the heavy hand of government regulation to promote labor and economic justice.  His anti-business stance is overly simplistic and counterproductive, as he alienates key stakeholders and ignores the complexities of the capitalist free market system. Reich is an "economy killer" that fuels extreme revolutionary polarization.

Despite Reich’s focus on labor issues, Reich did little or nothing to address the growing wage stagnation in the U.S. during the 1990s during the so-called economic boom of the Clinton administration. There is little doubt that, while he is well-educated, Reich’s intellectual approach to economic policy resulted in a disconnect between him and the working-class people he purports to represent—Reich is the classic prototypical ivory-tower smart/stupid person.

SUBy any metric, Julie Su is an incompetent, inconsequential failure that manages to check progressive communist democrat identity politics checkboxes as a woman, Asian, and a progressive labor lawyer who co-authored a paper on critical race theory, “Critical Coalitions: Theory and Praxis.”

Perhaps the most significant criticism of Julie Su’s tenure as California’s Labor Secretary is her handling of the state’s unemployment insurance system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) was overwhelmed by a surge in unemployment claims, leading to massive delays in benefit distribution. Thousands of Californians struggled for weeks or months to receive their unemployment checks, causing financial hardship for many. Su also failed to address issues of fraud, which totaled approximately $31 billion.

In September 2023, Su was allowed to serve as Biden’s “Acting” Secretary of Labor without facing any Senate confirmation hearings. As “Acting” Secretary, Julie Su forgave $32.6 billion of California’s debt to the federal government, for which she was primarily responsible.

Bottom line…

An active cell of progressive communist democrats is trying to take down the United States from within.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


PROGRESS COMMUNIST DEMOCRATS FOR WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE

COMMUNIST-COMMEDY

Thousands of Protesters Gather for ‘Hands Off!’ Rallies Across America...

CS1 CS2

Union members, communists, alphabet people, and paid crazies!

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


TRADE DEFICIT CHART: I CALL BULLSHIT!

BullshitThese numbers do not reflect the narrative…

Recip-tarrifs
I just looked at the poster board Trump was holding up, and those numbers were not “tariffs charged to the USA,” but trade deficits divided by imports. More specifically, each country’s U.S. trade deficit divided by its exports to the U.S. The final reciprocal tariff was divided by 2, with a minimum of 10%.

This leads to the false and misleading perception that any country with which the United States experiences a trade deficit, regardless of the reason (taxes, tariffs, currency manipulation, theft of intellectual property), is somehow a bad actor and requires a response in the form of a tariff to address the insult to the United States. 

Example: In 2024, the United States imported $438.95 billion worth of goods from China, resulting in a trade deficit of $295.4 billion.

U.S. Trade Deficit with China:

  • The U.S. goods trade deficit with China in 2024 was $295.4 billion.
  • U.S. imports from China totaled $438.9 billion, up 2.8% from 2023.
  • U.S. exports to China were $143.55 billion.

295.4 / 438.9 = 0.67304625199    Answer: Rounded to 67%  and 67%/2 = 33.5 rounded up to 34%. 

The official bullshit…

Trade headerReciprocal Tariff Calculations

Executive Summary

Reciprocal tariffs are calculated as the tariff rate necessary to balance bilateral trade deficits between the U.S. and each of our trading partners. This calculation assumes that persistent trade deficits are due to a combination of tariff and non-tariff factors that prevent trade from balancing. Tariffs work through direct reductions of imports.

Reciprocal tariff rates range from 0 percent to 99 percent, with unweighted and import-weighted averages of 20 percent and 41 percent.

Introduction

To conceptualize reciprocal tariffs, the tariff rates that would drive bilateral trade deficits to zero were computed. While models of international trade generally assume that trade will balance itself over time, the United States has run persistent current account deficits for five decades, indicating that the core premise of most trade models is incorrect.

The failure of trade deficits to balance has many causes, with tariff and non-tariff economic fundamentals as major contributors. Regulatory barriers to American products, environmental reviews, differences in consumption tax rates, compliance hurdles and costs, currency manipulation and undervaluation all serve to deter American goods and keep trade balances distorted.  As a result, U.S. consumer demand has been siphoned out of the U.S. economy into the global economy, leading to the closure of more than 90,000 American factories since 1997, and a decline in our manufacturing workforce of more than 6.6 million jobs, more than a third from its peak.

While individually computing the trade deficit effects of tens of thousands of tariff, regulatory, tax and other policies in each country is complex, if not impossible, their combined effects can be proxied by computing the tariff level consistent with driving bilateral trade deficits to zero. If trade deficits are persistent because of tariff and non-tariff policies and fundamentals, then the tariff rate consistent with offsetting these policies and fundamentals is reciprocal and fair.

Basic Approach

Consider an environment in which the U.S. levies a tariff of rate τ_I on country I and ∆τ_I reflects the change in the tariff rate. Let ε<0 represent the elasticity of imports with respect to import prices, let φ>0 represent the passthrough from tariffs to import prices, let m_I>0 represent total imports from country I, and let x_I>0 represent total exports. Then the decrease in imports due to a change in tariffs equals ∆τ_I*ε*φ*m_I<0. Assuming that offsetting exchange rate and general equilibrium effects are small enough to be ignored, the reciprocal tariff that results in a bilateral trade balance of zero satisfies:

Parameter Selection

To calculate reciprocal tariffs, import and export data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2024. Parameter values for ε and φ were selected. The price elasticity of import demand, ε, was set at 4.

Recent evidence suggests the elasticity is near 2 in the long run (Boehm et al., 2023), but estimates of the elasticity vary. To be conservative, studies that find higher elasticities near 3-4 (e.g., Broda and Weinstein 2006; Simonovska and Waugh 2014; Soderbery 2018) were drawn on.  The elasticity of import prices with respect to tariffs, φ, is 0.25. The recent experience with U.S. tariffs on China has demonstrated that tariff passthrough to retail prices was low (Cavallo et al, 2021).

Findings

The reciprocal tariffs were left-censored at zero. Higher minimum rates might be necessary to limit heterogeneity in rates and reduce transshipment. Tariff rates range from 0 to 99 percent. The unweighted average across deficit countries is 50 percent, and the unweighted average across the entire globe is 20 percent. Weighted by imports, the average across deficit countries is 45 percent, and the average across the entire globe is 41 percent. Standard deviations range from 20.5 to 31.8 percentage points.

References

Boehm, Christoph E., Andrei A. Levchenko, and Nitya Panalai-Nayar (2023), “The long and short of (run) of trade elasticities, American Economic Review, 113(4), 861-905.

Broda, Christian and David E. Weinstein (2006). “Globalization and the gains from variety,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, 121(2), 541-585.

Pujolas, Pau and Jack Rossbach (2024). “Trade deficits with trade wars.” SSRN.

Simonovska, Ina and Michael E. Waugh (2014). “The elasticity of trade: Estimates and evidence,” Journal of International Economics, 92(1), 34-50.

Soderberry, Anson (2018). “Trade elasticities, heterogeneity, and optimal tariffs,” Journal of International Economics, 114, 44-62. 

<Source>

Bottom line…

This is a new and novel manipulation of numbers to support a particular narrative. Every economist, trade specialist, and financial guru knows it is bullshit.

The question we need to ask: Is Trump playing chicken with the U.S. economy to force other nations to increase their purchases from the United States or extract other concessions? A pattern and practice of Trump as expressed in “The Art of the Deal.”

Until the end game, we do not know how much we are being screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE GRAVE DANGERS OF A CORPORATIZED MEDIA ADVANCING A PROGRESSIVE AGENDA

The idea of a corporatized media advancing a progressive communist democrat agenda raises new concerns about the concentration of power in the media landscape, demonstrable bias, and the influence of corporate special interests on the public’s perception of substantive issues.

News-TRUST
Several grave dangers are tied to this phenomenon, particularly regarding democracy, free speech, and the diversity of viewpoints.

1. Monopolization of Information

Corporate consolidation in media has led to a few powerful entities controlling vast amounts of information. This creates an environment where media outlets prioritize profits over journalistic integrity. These corporations push a progressive communist democrat agenda to drive narratives that align with their financial and political interests, limiting the diversity of viewpoints.

2. Shaping Public Opinion

When large progressive communist democrat media corporations promote their radical agenda, they can heavily influence public opinion by shaping how stories are framed, which issues are highlighted, and which voices are amplified. This creates echo chambers where dissenting views are marginalized or ignored, leaving audiences with a skewed understanding of complex issues.

3. Erosion of Critical Journalism

Corporatized progressive communist democrat media often prioritizes entertainment over investigative reporting. Journalistic integrity can suffer when media companies are focused on maximizing revenue through sensationalism or ideological appeal. This undermines the role of the media in holding influential individuals and interests accountable, which is essential for a functioning democracy. A media system that is openly ideologically driven neglects crucial stories and fails to provide balanced coverage.

4. Political Polarization

When progressive communist democrat media outlets align themselves with virulent political ideologies, it exacerbates political polarization. Audiences may become entrenched in their views, with little opportunity for meaningful dialogue or understanding of opposing perspectives. This leads to greater division in society, where people stop trusting those with differing opinions and become more vulnerable to manipulation by corporate interests.

5. Censorship and ‘Cancel Culture’

Corporate progressive communist democrat media platforms, especially in the digital age, have become a focal point for debates over free speech. When corporate interests decide which voices and ideas should be amplified or silenced, it can stifle free expression. Censorship, often disguised as “community standards,” suppresses viewpoints that deviate from their preferred narrative. This is particularly concerning in the context of social media platforms, where large corporations have the power to restrict access to certain types of content or ideas.

6. Loss of Media Independence

In an ideal world, the media should serve the public interest, providing independent, unbiased information. However, as corporations grow larger and more powerful, they may seek to align media content with their broader business or political interests. When the media serves the corporate elite instead of the general public, it risks becoming a propaganda tool rather than an objective news source.

7. Impact on Democracy

At its core, the free flow of diverse, uncensored information is a cornerstone of democracy. If corporate progressive communist democrat media monopolies advance a progressive agenda without offering a platform for competing ideas, it weakens democracy by limiting debate and creating an information environment that is more about persuading than informing. This erodes trust in the media and democratic institutions they are supposed to inform.

Bottom line…

While media corporations have the right to run their businesses as they see fit, the concentration of media power in the hands of a few entities advancing a progressive communist democrat agenda poses serious risks to the integrity of public discourse and voter responses.

The potential for bias, censorship, and manipulation undermines the essential role of media in a functioning democracy. Therefore, it’s crucial for Americans to recognize these dangers and advocate for media diversity, transparency, and accountability to ensure that the media continues to serve as a fair and independent source of information.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE PROGRESSIVE COMMUNIST DEMOCRAT PLAYBOOK: A RECIPE FOR POLITICAL DESTRUCTION

Sad-george-1

The political landscape in America has become a playground for the progressive communist democrats, a theater of absurdity where truth is sacrificed at the altar of political power, and the old guard of wealthy Washington elites work tirelessly to ensure that their political fortunes remain intact.

As the country grapples with the mounting issues of political corruption, government waste, fraud, and abuse, one thing has become clear: the Democrats have doubled down on their refusal to cooperate with the Republicans in any meaningful reform. Their strategy? Distraction, deceit, division, and destruction.

The same old political corruption has plagued Washington for decades, a vicious cycle where entrenched bureaucrats and career politicians line their pockets. At the same time, the rest of the country suffers. But instead of taking responsibility and offering solutions, the progressive communist democrats have chosen to defend this broken system with a fervor that is both stunning and horrifying. They are willing to watch the country crumble under the weight of their own corrupt mismanagement rather than acknowledge the need for reform.

In an era where Americans demand accountability, the progressive communist democrat propaganda machine has stepped in to fill the void with a steady stream of lies, half-truths, and manipulation. These so-called “journalists” have become nothing more than mouthpieces for the Democratic Party, parroting talking points and spinning every narrative to fit their ideological agenda. What they refuse to acknowledge is the damage they are doing to the very fabric of our society by undermining public trust in institutions and perpetuating division.

But the deception doesn’t end with the media. The legal system has been hijacked by corrupt attorneys and activist judges who impose their personal political views on every aspect of our lives. These unelected individuals are creating a tyranny of their own, rewriting laws and bending the Constitution to suit their agenda. Instead of upholding the rule of law, they are eroding it in favor of a progressive perpetual one-party vision that disregards the principles of justice and fairness. Their ultimate goal? To keep themselves and their purloined wealth safe from those who dare challenge the status quo, whether it’s a businessman trying to succeed in a fair market or a citizen seeking justice in the courts.

And then, there are the protests. The Democrats’ street theatre is anything but organic. Far from being a spontaneous display of grassroots activism, these events are carefully orchestrated spectacles, designed to fuel outrage and perpetuate division. Behind the scenes, professional organizers and agitators pull the strings of bused-in paid performers from who knows where, with pre-written signs and scripts ready for action. The cameras capture the illusion of a massive movement, but when they pull back for a wide shot, the truth becomes clear: a handful of disgruntled individuals are being staged to look like a much larger, more powerful force. It’s nothing more than smoke and mirrors, a desperate attempt to manufacture support where none exists.

Worse than ironic, it’s pathetic…

The irony of it all is that the same people pushing this progressive communist democrat agenda are the ones who have been in power for decades.

The aging political elites of the Democratic Party, like Bernie Sanders, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and others, are clinging to a vision of the world that hasn’t existed since the 1960s. Their idealized view of that era of protest is warped through the haze of nostalgia, when they were young and powerful, fighting for causes that now seem quaint and irrelevant in the face of modern challenges. But what these septuagenarians and octogenarians fail to understand is that their time has passed. Their power is built on a foundation of corruption and cronyism, and their political machinations are becoming ever more transparent.

It’s no wonder they’re afraid of the curtain being pulled back. If the American people were to see the truth—if they were to witness the personal wealth and power that these so-called public servants have accumulated at the expense of their constituents—they would demand accountability.

But the Democratic Party is doing everything it can to ensure that the truth never sees the light of day. They’re only committed to maintaining their grip on power, no matter the cost to the American people.

Bottom line…

As long as this strategy continues, the country will remain mired in the same cycle of corruption and decay. It’s time for the American people to wake up, reject the lies, and demand a government that works for them, not for the elites who have sold out their country for the sake of power. The age of the progressive left must end. The future of this nation depends on it.

Trump may not be the answer to solving all problems. Still, he is a historical tool of discovery by which Americans are forced to open their eyes and confront the evil within the political system that is destroying America from within, paid in part by foreign interests.

Wake up, fools – it is time to solidify the GOP and hold the party’s dissidents accountable for joining the progressive communist democrats and their mission to destroy America from within.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


TIME TO RELAX

It is time to step back from the contentious brouhaha of politics and spend some time with nature...

LL-IMG_3596[Flower Garden & Photography by Elynn Levine]

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to escape the constant barrage of political news and debates that fill our screens. While staying informed is essential, sometimes it’s necessary to step back, take a breather, and disconnect for a while.

One of the best ways to unwind and recharge is by immersing yourself in nature. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a weekend hike in the woods, or simply sitting by a lake, nature offers a peaceful refuge from the noise and stress of the political world.

Taking a break from politics allows you to reset your mind, recharge your emotional batteries, and refocus on the things that truly matter. The sound of birds chirping, the sight of towering trees, and the feel of fresh air can bring a sense of calm and perspective that is difficult to find in the chaos of constant headlines.

Nature has a unique ability to ground us, helping us reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. It’s a gentle reminder that there is more to life than the daily political turmoil.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed by the news cycle, take a moment to step outside and let the beauty of nature soothe your mind. You’ll return feeling more centered, refreshed, and ready to engage with the world with a clearer, more balanced outlook.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN PUSSIES

GOP-congress-balls

Political parties thrive on clear contrasts, especially easy-to-understand soundbites and snapshots, and one of the most effective ways to create contrast is by defining an enemy, whether real or imagined.

Yet we find the Congressional Republicans reluctant to demonize and attack their progressive communist democrat opponents. This asymmetry in political warfare gives Democrats an advantage in shaping the narrative. Meanwhile, Republicans, despite facing open hostility, often try to play by outdated norms of civility, leaving them at a strategic disadvantage.

Republicans, by nature, tend to frame their politics around preserving institutions, tradition, and order. Explicitly labeling the opposing party as an “enemy” can seem too radical or destabilizing, especially to establishment figures like George W. Bush and Mitt Romney, who want to characterize themselves as “gentlemen” among the barbarians.

With the GOP, it’s mainly about the money.

Many Republican donors and business leaders want political stability. Openly declaring Democrats as an existential enemy could disrupt relationships with bipartisan corporations, Wall Street, and trade groups that fund campaigns and direct the flow of money to special interests on both sides of the political spectrum.

Unlike the progressive communist democrats, who have a highly engaged activist base that thrives on moral urgency and where casting Republicans as an existential threat to democracy, human rights, or social progress is an effective way to energize their coalition.

And, more importantly, because Republicans hesitate to reciprocate this enemy rhetoric, knowing that the progressive communist democrat propagandists in the media will defend them, even with bald-faced demonstrable lies. Democrats don’t face significant political consequences for their extremely toxic rhetoric. They can escalate their language without worrying that Republicans will effectively do the same.

Bottom line…

The progressive communist democrats’ identity is shaped by what they oppose as much as by what they support.

  • It appears that the progressive communist democrats are openly rooting for the failure of the United States, economically and socially.
  • The progressive communist democrats are openly attempting to keep illegal aliens, even those who are violent criminals, from being deported.
  • The progressive communist democrats are openly attempting to curtail the discovery of government waste, fraud, and abuse, and to keep government funding far-left enterprises that do not benefit the country or its lawful citizens.
  • The progressive communist democrats are openly attempting to divide Americans into groups based on race, gender, and wealth, promising each group to promote their specific interests while redressing their grievances in return for political power. One need only look at American Indians, Blacks, or residents of any democrat-governed ghetto to see the diversion of billions of dollars into special interest pockets.

It’s time for the congressional GOP to grow a set of balls and directly attack those progressive communist democrats who are trying to destroy our nation from within.

We are so screwed.

--  Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


GAVIN NEWSOM THE O.J. SIMPSON OF CALIFORNIA

However, unlike O.J. Simpson, who killed two people, Gavin Newsom killed an entire state…

Governor-kills-california
Many a truth is spoken in jest...


Newsoms fault
A wealthy, elite, progressive communist democrat...

NEWSOM-LAUGHING
Bottom line..

California-disaster

We are so screwed when Newsom concentrates on a podcast featuring right-wing guests who politely refuse to call him out on the destruction of California.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DEPARTMENT OF IMAGINARY CONCERNS

While everyone is focused on billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, we overlook an equally great idea from cartoonist Scott Adams, the creator of the iconic Dilbert comic strip.

Dilbert-Scott-Adams

So now that we know that the big problem was the imaginary concern of what could have happened but didn't happen, I've suggested that Trump should create a Department of Imaginary Concerns. And it would be only to handle Democrat complaints. And the new department could have imaginary policies to combat the imaginary concerns.

So you place things like climate change in there, climate change, at least the crisis part of the climate change. You put the Russia collusion thing in there. You put the hoodies could have found out by hacking a signal in there.

You put Trump might steal your democracy in the imaginary concerns department. That Musk might steal our Social Security numbers. You put that right in the Department of Imaginary Concerns.

And that there might be a constitutional crisis. Yep, that's the Department of Imaginary Concerns. Now, I'm not completely serious about this, but just think how funny it would be if every time one of these hoaxes comes up and Trump has asked about it, he says, oh, I've delegated that to the Department of Imaginary Concerns.

But are you trying to steal our democracy? You know, that's a perfectly good question. So I've delegated that to the Department of Imaginary Concerns. Did you agree with Putin to have sex with him if he stops the fighting? Well, you know, no, but I'm gonna assign that to the Department of Imaginary Concerns and we'll devise an imaginary policy to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Bottom line...

Leave it to Scott Adams to bring a commonsense perspective to the vexatious niggles found in private and public organizations.

We are so screwed if we let the deep state and its media propagandists divert our attention away from the real problems facing America: political corruption on both sides of the aisle and the progressive communist democrats who want to destroy America from within.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DEMOCRATS: STFU -- I AM TIRED OF LISTENING TO YOUR BULLSHIT

With leaders like these, our nation is totally screwed...

LEADING ACT BLUE EXPLAIN-DEMOCRATS
Bottom line...

What have the progressive communist democrats accomplished other than division, corruption, and perversion?

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


CALIFORNIA’S HIGH-SPEED RAIL: A DEMOCRAT FEVER DREAM TURNED INTO A CORRUPT DISASTER

California-disaster
California’s dream of a high-speed rail system has devolved into a nightmare, symbolizing political overreach, fiscal irresponsibility, mismanagement, corruption, and rampant cronyism.

Once heralded as a groundbreaking project that would revolutionize transportation and boost the state’s economy, the high-speed rail now stands as little more than a massive boondoggle that will likely never be completed—and will certainly never be profitable. In a state once known for its innovation and progress, this project now epitomizes the decline of a state led by a single-party system that’s lost touch with the needs of its residents.

A Project Gone Off the Rails

In 2008, California voters approved a $9 billion bond measure to fund the construction of a high-speed rail line connecting the Bay Area to Southern California. It was a bold vision for the future—a sleek, efficient, and environmentally-friendly alternative to road travel. But over the years, the project has spiraled out of control. Costs have ballooned, deadlines have been missed, and the original vision has been downsized to a fraction of what was promised.

The current plan is to build a small section of track in the Central Valley—a far cry from the initial proposal of a complete, coast-to-coast rail line. Even this regular-speed truncated version is unlikely to be completed on time or within budget, with estimates putting the final cost of the Central Valley segment alone at over $20 billion. This does not even account for the expected billions more needed to connect the Bay Area and Southern California—a task that seems increasingly unlikely to ever come to fruition.

California High-Speed Rail Needs $7 Billion for Bakersfield to Merced by 2026
‘As the voters passed it in 2008, it’s never going to happen’

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office told lawmakers in an Assembly Transportation budget hearing Wednesday that California High-Speed Rail needs $7 billion in funding by June 2026 or else the first Bakersfield to Merced leg of the system could be delayed further into the 2030’s.

According to LAO Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst Helen Kerstein, who delivered the $7 billion shortfall figure to the Assembly, that amount isn’t guaranteed either. She warned that they may need more than that amount in funding to shore up the gap, especially with $4 billion in federal funding for the project now on the line in Washington.

“There is no specific plan to meet that roughly $7 billion gap, we also think there is some risk that gap could grow,” said Kerstein. “This isn’t a way out in the future funding gap. This is a pretty immediate funding gap.”

Originally estimated to cost $33 billion in 2008 with a San Francisco to Los Angeles line to open by 2028, the California high speed rail system has since ballooned to $128 billion, and $135 billion+, with an estimated partial completion somewhere in the late 2030’s. And last year, CHRSA actually confirmed that the system still needed $100 billion to link up San Francisco and Los Angeles. The true cost may also be much higher than anticipated, with some estimates during the Governorship of Jerry Brown putting that figure at around $350 billion. <Source>

The Never-Ending Story of Payoffs and Graft

One of the most frustrating aspects of the so-called “high-speed” rail project is its role as a perpetual cash cow for special interests. It’s no secret that construction projects on this scale inevitably attract contractors, lobbyists, and unions eager to cash in. But what was supposed to be a world-class infrastructure project has instead turned into a feeding frenzy for political insiders and special interest groups.

Union jobs have proliferated, of course, though not in a way that benefits the average Californian. Instead, labor unions have profited at taxpayers’ expense, securing contracts that line their coffers and ensure steady work. The result? A project that serves the interests of a select few, rather than the public good.

At the same time, politicians have exploited the high-speed rail to further their power, doling out contracts and perks to their supporters and contributors. It’s a classic case of “pay-to-play” politics, where those with the right connections get a piece of the pie, while the rest of the state foots the bill.

The Financial Black Hole

Beyond the political cronyism, the high-speed rail project has become a financial black hole. The state initially promised that the rail line would pay for itself, but that has proven to be a pipe dream. High-speed rail systems worldwide, such as those in Japan and Europe, are heavily subsidized, with ticket prices far higher than Californians would likely be willing to pay. Even project proponents admit that the rail line will never be financially self-sustaining.

This project is an ongoing disaster in a state already burdened with massive deficits. The high-speed rail will not only fail to generate revenue but will likely require an ongoing stream of taxpayer money to keep it running, money that could be better spent on infrastructure improvements or addressing California’s crumbling public services.

A Microcosm of California’s Decline

The high-speed rail debacle is not just about one failed project; it’s emblematic of a more significant problem that has plagued California for years. Under the dominance of a single political party, the progressive communist democrats, the state has become a breeding ground for corruption, inefficiency, and waste. What was once the “Golden State” has become a shadow of its former self—an overtaxed, overregulated, and underperforming state where political favors take precedence over the needs of the people.

The high-speed rail is just the latest in a long line of ill-conceived, poorly managed, and overpriced public projects that define California’s political landscape. From skyrocketing housing costs to failing schools to a homeless crisis that shows no signs of abating, the state’s once-proud legacy of innovation and prosperity has given way to a broken system controlled by entrenched interests.

Bottom line…

According to the progressive communist democrats and their unionized special interest friends, California’s high-speed rail was supposed to symbolize California’s future—cutting-edge, environmentally-friendly, and forward-thinking. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale of government mismanagement and political corruption. The project will likely never be finished, and even if it is, it will almost certainly never live up to its promises of financial viability or sustainability. A monument to everything that’s wrong with the state today—where the interests of a few take precedence over the needs of the many, and where promises made to voters are left unfulfilled.

As the state’s financial and political dysfunction continues to spiral out of control, I cannot help but wonder why those who bribed public officials and pocketed multi-millions of dollars are not in prison with all the other white collar criminals?

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE DECLINE OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IS GOOD FOR AMERICA

DEMOCRAT-DEVIL

The Democrat party’s looming demise stems from its increasingly autocratic tendencies, where the pursuit of perpetual political power overshadows genuine concern for the nation and its people.

Democrats seem to ignore the inherent flaws of human nature—bad actors will always exist in politics. This makes honesty, fairness, and accountability challenging to uphold at any level of government, local, state, and federal. Their push for absolute political control undermines the very values they claim to champion.

The Approaching Death of the Democrat Party

In recent years, the Democratic movement, once seen as the party of the people and societal change, seems to have reached a crossroads.

What once promised reform, equality, and justice now appears to be morphing into something far more sinister, autocratic, and power-driven. The Democratic party, or at least its modern iteration, is facing a unique challenge—an ideological erosion that seems to put the quest for perpetual political power above genuine benefit for the people they claim to represent.

The Democrats have been massively infiltrated by Marxists and Communists, who now espouse a unique brand of American Marxism. This ideology has shifted away from the traditional class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, replacing it with a focus on identity politics. In this new framework, the struggle is not between economic classes, but rather centered on race and gender. By prioritizing these identity divisions, the Democrats have redefined societal conflicts, framing them in terms of racial and gender-based oppression rather than economic inequality, ultimately altering the foundational principles of Marxist thought in the American context.

Nothing to Sell but Hate

In the heart of the Democrat movement, there is a disturbing truth: they have nothing to sell but hate. A deep-seated loathing of their own nation and its people courses through their rhetoric, as they call out the flaws they see with an intensity that leaves no room for forgiveness or understanding. The very fabric of the country they claim to want to fix is vilified, branded as irredeemable. The opposition—those who dare to think differently—becomes an enemy to be crushed, not a rival to be reasoned with. But perhaps the most tragic irony lies within themselves. They rail against the very system that has afforded them the platform to speak, their voices often the loudest in a society they simultaneously decry.

The contradictions are staggering: a movement built on a foundation of hate, not for external forces, but for everything that doesn’t fit into their narrow vision of what America should be. In their eyes, their country is broken beyond repair, their foes are no longer worthy of respect, and somewhere beneath it all, they seem to despise themselves the most for not yet having the power to make their ideals a reality.

This shift raises a critical question: Why have Democrats, who initially championed change for the greater good, become so virulently autocratic in their approach to governance? More importantly, why do they seem to prioritize control over the very ideals of fairness, honesty, and accountability that are essential to any thriving democracy?

The Corruption of Ideals

Historically, the Democrat party has been synonymous with reform. It was about fighting for civil rights, expanding social safety nets, pushing for environmental sustainability, and ensuring that society worked for everyone, not just the wealthy elite. In the name of civil rights, the Democrats sought to dismantle the systems of oppression and inequality entrenched over centuries.

However, as time has passed, many Democratic politicians seem to have lost sight of this core mission. Instead of making tangible improvements for the American people, there is a growing emphasis on maintaining political power at all costs. Political strategies now often seem designed more to preserve the influence of a few rather than to uplift the broader population.

In the name of achieving Democratic ideals, some have resorted to undemocratic means—manipulating public opinion through the media, suppressing dissenting voices, and utilizing government resources to further their own political interests. These actions are not consistent with the values that initially inspired the Democratic movement, yet they have become more common as power becomes an end in itself.

A Party Based on a Lie.

Truth be told, the Democrats were and are the party of slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, anti-civil rights, and the KKK.

Bottom line… 

No system of government, whether local, state, or federal, is immune to bad actors. No matter how forward-thinking or utopian an ideology might seem, it cannot account for the inherent flaws in human character. As long as people hold political power, there will be those who abuse it for personal gain and prioritize their interests over the needs of the people they are meant to serve.

This failure to recognize the eternal nature of human flaws is a significant blind spot in contemporary Democratic politics. The belief that the right policies, people, or leaders can create a utopian society ignores the real possibility of corruption. Instead of building systems that are designed to protect against this inevitability, Democrats have often focused on creating ideologically pure policies that, in practice, have become more susceptible to corruption and exploitation.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


FEDERAL JUDGES: JUDICIAL ACTIVIST OVERREACH OR NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ABUSE OF POWER?

Lady-justice-b

Once again, a lower federal court appears to overstep its constitutional bounds and usurp powers that should belong to the executive branch.

Judge blocks funding freeze for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

A U.S. district judge blocked Kari Lake and the Trump administration from terminating Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s federal funding on Tuesday, granting the news organization a temporary win in its fight against the administration’s efforts to close its doors.

In a court filing, Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted RFE/RL’s request for a temporary restraining order against Lake, who oversees the U.S. Agency for Global Media, asserting that terminating the organization’s federal grant would violate the congressionally mandated flow of funding to the news outlet.

[OCS: Royce Lamberth, a senior judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, is known to be a hyper-partisan judicial activist preoccupied with limiting presidential powers and challenging government actions related to national security. 

Lamberth has been known to issue injunctions and restraining orders that have blocked or limited specific executive branch actions with controversial rulings that interfere with presidential powers or legislative mandates, particularly regarding executive orders, executive branch decisions, or actions taken by law enforcement agencies.

Lamberth’s rulings consistently align with what appears to be his particular progressive political viewpoint. He seems to use his judicial position to influence policy in a way that goes beyond neutral legal interpretation.

As a senior judge on the FISA court, he was tasked with overseeing the false FISA warrant applications that were part of the Russia Collusion Hoax, where he exerted no effort to hold the parties accountable for perpetrating a fraud on the court.]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is funded by Congress with the mission to promote the free flow of news and democracy globally. Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were initially created to deliver news across the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

[OCS: These were Cold War propaganda outlets to create distrust and dissent in their respective broadcast areas and now pump out what can be construed as leftist propaganda damaging to the United States. These are aging entities with little or no relevance in the Internet Age, when most individuals turn to streaming platforms for news and commentary.] 

According to Lamberth, the news organization “has, for decades, operated as one of the organizations that Congress has statutorily designated to carry out this policy,” and “the leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down — even if the President has told them to do so.” <Source>

Judicial review—the power of courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and executive actions—is a principle established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), which solidified the judiciary’s role in reviewing the constitutionality of executive and legislative actions.

The vast gulf between judicial restraint and judicial activism.

The courts should exercise restraint and avoid stepping into areas that are best handled by the executive or legislative branches, mainly when a judge issues an injunction or restraining order that may block an executive action that applies to multi-jurisdictional matters or provides relief to entities beyond those appearing before the court.

When judges take it upon themselves to make decisions that go beyond the proper interpretation of the law and issue judicial rulings that challenge or block the actions of elected officials, especially the President, it is little more than an undemocratic power grab.

While the judiciary’s role in checking the actions of the other branches of government is essential to protecting individual rights and ensuring that actions align with the Constitution, it is not a substitute for the powers vested in the President of the United States.

Bottom line…

The judiciary’s role in interpreting the Constitution is part of the system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. The tension between the branches is inherent in the design of the U.S. government. The judiciary’s role in interpreting the law and checking the powers of the executive is a fundamental part of the system of checks and balances.

However, the unchecked multi-district jurisdiction and the time for cases to reach the appellate and Supreme Courts often render the issue moot, as the damage to the Country has already been done.

In the present instance, it's not about the law; it's about stopping Donald Trump from destroying the funding for leftist institutions. 

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


UNBELIEVABLE BREACH OF SECURITY

STRIKE-PLANS
If this was an accident, the FBI and military intelligence must investigate OPSEC in the Trump Administration. If it was deliberate, someone needs to go to jail!

UGH BREAKING: Atlantic chief editor added to signal chat with TOP Trump officials where they discussed HOUTHI war plans

In what was clearly an error in President Trump’s top officials, the hack editor-in-chief for the Atlantic was added to a Signal chat in which plans were shared about the coming Houthi attack on March 15th.

The people in the chat were members of Trump’s cabinet like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as others like Susie Wiles.

Jeffrey Goldberg claims he was added to the group by National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and now he’s leaking out some of the comments made by Vance and Hegseth:

Questions abound about why this hack was included in the chat to begin with. Like “Why did Waltz add an Atlantic reporter to that group chat?”    <Source>


The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans

U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.

By Jeffrey Goldberg

The world found out shortly before 2 p.m. eastern time on March 15 that the United States was bombing Houthi targets across Yemen.

I, however, knew two hours before the first bombs exploded that the attack might be coming. The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing.

This is going to require some explaining.  <Source>

Among the many questions…

1.  Why were national defense and military matters discussed outside a classified setting?

2.  Why is the Trump Administration not using secure government channels and using an outside encrypted Signal messaging application?

3.  Did National Security Advisor Michael Waltz add a hack journalist to the group chat, and what else may have been compromised?

4.  Why are plans being texted?

Bottom line… 

National Security Advisor Michael Waltz needs to resign.

You can play pretend just so long before it bites you in the ass.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE POWER OF UNIONS: A GATEWAY TO CORRUPTION AND DYSFUNCTION

Union--boss
AXON_Company_Logo_2017

Founded in 1993, Scottsdale, Arizona-based Axon is an iconic technology company that commercialized the TASER and brought it into widespread use by law enforcement. Additionally, Axon is the nation’s largest supplier of law enforcement body cameras, management software, and other digital tools to improve officer safety, transparency, and accountability.

 

This sounds like a political shakedown by progressive communist democrat unionists…

A Homegrown Arizona Company Was About to Break Ground on a Billion-Dollar Development — Then a California Union Stepped In

Taser stun gun manufacturer Axon is looking to bring thousands of jobs to Scottsdale, Ariz., by building a massive, Google-like campus in the area  — but not if a California union can help it.

Axon has proposed a $1.3 billion development that would include a new headquarters for the company, along with some 1,900 apartments and condominiums, a 425-room hotel, and seven restaurant spaces.

The new HQ would bring up to 5,500 new jobs to Arizona, drive $38 billion of economic impact over the next ten years, and generate more than $2 billion in tax revenue, according to an independent analysis cited by Axon.

But Unite Here Local 11 and local anti-development advocates have stepped in to send the city council-approved plan to a ballot referendum after Axon refused to be forced into unionization, the company says. Unite Here Local 11 represents tens of thousands of hotel, restaurant and airport workers in California and Arizona.

After the city council approved the plan in November, a group called Taxpayers Against Awful Zoning Exemptions (TAAZE) began working to collect signatures to put the matter up for a referendum. The group, which claims to have no affiliation with Unite Here Local 11, has successfully collected more than the 19,000 signatures required to put the issue on the November 2026 ballot.

Union Muscle

Data shows the union has supplied muscle to the small but vocal contingent that opposes the project. Unite Here’s political arm, Worker Power, has contributed more than $21,000 to TAAZE, city campaign finance reports show.

Ninety-five percent of the funding for the anti-development effort came from a dark money group called Public Integrity Alliance, 90 percent of which was donated labor, in the form of signature gatherers.

Just 7 percent of signatures for the referendum were gathered by volunteers, while the remaining 93 percent were collected by paid signature gatherers. Two-thirds of the signature gatherers came from out of state.

In Arizona, which is a right to work state, unions see an opportunity to go to major employers looking to get a big project through the zoning and approvals process and essentially force employers into unionization agreements via a weaponization of the referendum process.

If the union can kill the Axon project and replicate the pattern several more times, “people are going to have to sign off on these unionization agreements or take the high probability that the weaponization of this process will kill their project,” [Axon Founder and CEO] Smith said. <Source>

Unionization is fast becoming a clear and present danger to America—a form of organized crime protection racket that benefits union bosses and their cronies more than their membership or the organizations they parasitically infect.

One tactic gaining traction among labor advocates is using the threat of halting development projects or future business ventures to coerce large companies into recognizing or forming unions. This strategy poses a serious challenge for employers, who are caught between meeting labor demands and continuing to operate without disruption.

While unions once were vital in advocating for workers’ rights, using the threat of halting progress to force unionization raises ethical and legal concerns. The core of this approach hinges on leveraging the power of a company’s future projects or investments. When unions or labor advocates threaten to withhold labor or disrupt operations unless a union is formed, they gain leverage over companies that rely on those developments to stay competitive. This can be particularly effective in construction, tech, and manufacturing industries, where timelines and projects are crucial to profitability.

There is no doubt that these tactics are little more than coercion, a mob-inspired protection racket that jeopardizes the viability of the golden goose that lays the golden eggs that pay the bills and advance the economy. Looking at most union-run companies, you will find project delays, cost overruns, and the refusal to implement automation—with the union demanding more and more without a corresponding increase in productivity or profitability. It is no wonder that labor-intensive operations are seeking to automate rather than pay for worthless company-paid employees “doing union business” on company time.

Bottom line…

Do we, as productive Americans competing in a global economy, want the parasitic tentacles of a dangerous progressive communist democrat organization controlling the labor market? Sounds like Marxism and Communism to me!

“You’ve got a choice: Let the union handle it, or we’ll take control.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


TIME TO FACE THE FACT THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOW TOXIC MARXISTS

AMERICAS--ICEBERG

Open your eyes! The Democratic Party has shifted away from traditional pro-America, pro-middle-class core values and now embraces radical ideologies in its quest for political power.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Democratic Party has been “captured” by a Marxist agenda, replacing patriotism and commonsense with an ideology that prioritizes power over the welfare of the nation.

Consider the growing influence of radical left-wing activists in a party willing to nominate and elect “placeholder candidates,” who are manipulated by unseen, unelected individuals with unchecked powers and the infiltration of radical activists within our institutions and bureaucratic state.

This is not a speculative narrative but an observation grounded in reality and backed by documentary evidence and sworn testimony.

The Progressive Communist Democrats Are Not Hiding.

Bernie-rally
One key indicator that Marxist ideologies have overtaken the Democratic Party is the increasing influence of progressive figures like communists Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ilhan Omar. These figures have introduced radical un-American policies into the political mainstream, pushing for government intervention in the economy, healthcare, and education and advocating wealth redistribution and environmental justice.

Universal healthcare (Medicare for All), the Green New Deal, and free college education are all evidence that the Democratic Party is embracing socialism, a concept rooted in Marxist ideology. These are not simply pragmatic solutions to systemic inequalities; they are the result of a Marxist takeover of the Democratic Party.

The Challenge to Traditional American Values.

Concepts like patriotism, individualism, and personal responsibility are being overshadowed by a push for identity politics, political correctness, and the deconstruction of longstanding societal norms where the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion appears to replace the notion of a united, patriotic American identity.

When progressive communist democrats emphasize systemic oppression, the class struggle, and the need to redress historical grievances with reverse racism, it further demonstrates that the traditional American values of hard work, personal responsibility, and loyalty to the country are no longer prioritized. The democrat’s focus on group identity and pursuing ideological purity undermines the social cohesion that has traditionally united the country. They celebrate certain members of the Democratic Party who seem more focused on criticism of American history and values than on celebrating the country’s strengths.

How else can you explain the rise of those incompetent, Incoherent, dimwitted candidates who check the identity boxes of race and gender? Kamala Harris is a prime example.

Ideology Is Secondary to Political Power.

Another sign that the Democrats have been “captured” by Marxists is the fact that the party is more concerned with accumulating political power than actually solving the problems facing the nation, believing Marxist ideology is a way to consolidate power and control over various aspects of society, from the economy to the education system to cultural institutions.

The push for redistribution of wealth and increasing government control of key industries is not about benefiting the public but creating a larger government with more authority over citizens’ lives. By growing the government and centralizing decision-making, these policies could potentially give progressive communist democrat politicians and bureaucrats more control, eroding individual liberties in the process.

The expansion of government is a direct challenge to American ideals of limited government and personal freedom. That progressive communist democrat policies lead to an erosion of democratic freedoms and a shift toward authoritarianism is right before our eyes.

The Evolution of Marxism.

While Marxism, as an economic and political philosophy, is often associated with the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, it has evolved over time and has been adapted by various political movements.

In American society, which lacks well-defined lifelong classes and features class mobility, today’s so-called “Marxists” have replaced Karl Marx’s original theory of class struggle between different social classes with opposing interests (e.g., the bourgeoisie, the capitalist owners of the means of production, and the proletariat, the working class who sell their labor for wages) with identity politics featuring race and sex, which must be redressed with achieving social justice and addressing inequalities through progressive taxation, wealth redistribution, and government intervention in the economy. If it takes “burn it all down” revolutionaries advocating for the violent overthrow of the capitalist system, as Marx once envisioned, so be it. 

Democrats, the Party of Destruction.

D-bullet

Rep. Sean Casten’s (D-Ill.) town hall was repeatedly rocked by disruptions and was shut down by police after 45 minutes due to outbursts from pro-Palestinian protesters.

The senior House Democrat told Axios that a colleague called them after a town hall crying and said: “They hate us. They hate us.”

“Among the things I got [at a town hall] were: ‘Will you call for Chuck Schumer to resign?’” the lawmaker said. “Last week I got: ‘You need to tell your leadership they had no right rebuking Democrats for being strong at’” Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
“Another thing I got was: ‘Democrats are too nice. Nice and civility doesn’t work. Are you prepared for violence?’” <Source>

Bottom line…

The Democratic Party has been captured by Marxists and replaced patriotism and commonsense with an ideology focused solely on power.

The growing influence of socialist and Marxist ideas on the political discourse cannot be ignored as it is a clear and present danger to America and Americans.

We are so screwed!

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE CRIPPLING COST OF PRECISION: HOW EXPENSIVE WEAPONS ARE REWRITING WARFARE

F47trump
Despite the Trump Administration's condemnation of waste, fraud, and abuse in the military contracting system, President Trump enthusiastically announced a new entry into our aircraft arsenal: the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet that will be built by the embattled defense contractor Boeing.

Other than Trump's usual superlatives, "It's something the likes of which nobody has seen before," no costs, timelines, or specific capabilities were mentioned. We do know, however, that the aircraft has been under development for several years, under the corrupt, unaccountable, wasteful system that produces cost overruns and delays, and a prime contractor known to prioritize its stock price over shop-floor quality control.

Warfare is rapidly changing…

In many close support encounters, cheap drones are more effective than billion-dollar aircraft, mainly when the target is limited in scope.

The advent of precision-guided weaponry has diluted the essence of war to force political change. In the past, large-scale destruction and the visible consequences of war galvanized public opinion, pressuring governments into action or retreat.

Today, surgical strikes and drone warfare allow conflicts to persist in the shadows, minimizing immediate civilian casualties but also reducing the visceral impact war once had on the populace. This detachment makes it easier for governments to engage in prolonged military operations without facing significant public resistance. When war is no longer felt at home—when it is reduced to distant, clinical precision—it risks becoming a tool wielded with less accountability, shifting power away from the people and into the hands of decision-makers who no longer fear public outrage.

For decades, precision weaponry—smart bombs, guided missiles, and AI-driven targeting systems—promised to make war more "surgical." The goal? Minimize collateral damage, protect civilians, and conduct military operations with a scalpel instead of a hammer. But the very premise of these costly, highly effective weapons is now under quiet assault.

Nations and defense contractors alike are facing a harsh reality: war is becoming too expensive to fight at scale when every missile costs millions. Warfare is shifting back toward older, cruder methods as these advanced weapons degrade in effectiveness—either through countermeasures, cost-cutting, or obsolescence. Cheap drones, mass artillery, and brute-force destruction are replacing the high-tech "humane" warfare of past decades.

Essentially, the tools designed to make war more precise are becoming an Achilles' heel.

The advantage vanishes if an adversary can outlast the stockpile of expensive precision weapons. The result? The return of indiscriminate tactics, a renewed reliance on sheer firepower, and an erosion of the idea that war can be controlled, limited, or humane.

Perhaps the greatest irony is the deliberate decline in effective, expensive weapons dismantles the idea that war can be fought cleanly. If precision is a luxury nations can no longer afford, then the concept of controlled warfare dies with it.

Bottom line…

One can only hope that the F-47 is better managed, more cost-effective, and more robust than the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, which has suffered significant cost overruns, delays, and maintenance issues.

Major deployment issues come with more sophistication and complexity, unlike the Russians, who build less capable, more pilot-friendly aircraft that can be flown with minimal training.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


INVESTIGATE THE BENGAZI BITCH HILLARY CLINTON

HILLARY-HOWLING AT THE MOON
Speaking at the World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech, and Humankind, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ascribes her behavior and that of the progressive communist democrats to her opposition, clearly referencing the Trump administration and technologists like Elon Musk.

"There’s no way to sugarcoat it. There’s no way to explain it away. Autocracy is on the March, and we now have a government in the United States that has thrown in its lot with the autocrats, which has made a choice to support those who wage war, not peace, who has given enormous power to the men who control the information flow in our world, who have all pledged allegiance to the continuation of algorithms that not only addict us, but poison us with hatred and fear."

One must point out it was Hillary’s cadre of progressive communist democrats who used these very same technocrats, with the exception of Elon Musk, to censor the stream of accurate information and suppress and de-platform the voices of dissidents who countered the government’s narrative of the day. The progressive communist democrats had no comment on the algorithms that were used on their behalf when they were in power. It was Hillary Clinton and the progressive communist democrats who waged war around the world.

“So the emphasis on technology and artificial intelligence at this World Forum is not just another issue. It, in many ways, is the core issue facing our world today. Because as Maria said, where there are no facts that are agreed upon, that happen right before your eyes and you have leaders telling you to ignore it, that Putin did not invade Ukraine, that Ukraine somehow brought it upon itself, where there are no facts, there cannot be truth, and where there is no truth, there cannot be trust, and where there is no trust, there cannot be democracy and peace.”

Ukraine did not bring the war upon itself; it was proven, with documentary evidence and sworn testimony, that the United States, notably Democrat-led agencies like the CIA and the U.S. Department of State, proactively set the conditions that precipitated Russia’s actions. The truth that the progressive communist democrats chose to ignore is that ethnic Russians in Ukrainian border areas had opted to reunite with Russia. The truth under the progressive communist democrats was little more than narrative, unsupported by facts or even honest media coverage.

“And, of course, we'll hear more today and tomorrow about how the weaponization of technology and the imposition of artificial intelligence will, unless we act now, become partners to the autocrats. So this is as important an event, and I hope someday we'll look back on this in history and say, I was there, I was there at the World Forum, I heard these brave men and women speak out, and I thought what I could do, and then I acted. That should be the real takeaway from our time together.

Of course, the progressive communist democrats want to act now to neuter the power of the Trump administration and to secure the tools of power for themselves in their quest for true autocracy and perpetual political power.

Bottom line…

Not once did Hillary Clinton tell the truth about the diminished cognitive abilities of former President Biden or condemn the media for censoring the fact that the President of the United States was replaced with faceless progressive communist democrats, mostly acolytes of Obama and Clinton, using an autopen to create executive orders and pardons.

Hillary Clinton is a vicious, evil woman whose sense of entitlement and privilege knows no bounds.

Without a doubt, Hillary Clinton should be investigated and held accountable for the four Americans lost in Benghazi, Libya, during an unsanctioned illegal arms transfer to Islamic terrorists.

There is no doubt in my mind she hates the United States and is willing to trash-talk America and Americans in foreign venues.

With Hillary Clinton in any spotlight, we are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE DANGERS OF INSIDER EMPLOYEE SYMPATHIZERS WITH KEYS TO YOUR DIGITAL KINGDOM

Do you have a problem employee hidden in plain sight?

Insider-data-center
In today's interconnected world, organizations are increasingly vulnerable to internal threats—not just from malicious employees but also from well-intentioned sympathizers. These individuals may or may not have harmful intent but have access to sensitive data and systems, which can inadvertently put your company at risk.

Insider threats often arise from employees with access to key systems, networks, and databases. A sympathizer with access to the "digital kingdom" might share sensitive data out of misplaced loyalty, personal grievances, or even a sense of moral responsibility, believing their actions are for the greater good.

The risks are significant. From leaked trade secrets to compliance violations, an insider's seemingly minor data incursion can result in catastrophic breaches of trust, legal consequences, and reputational damage. Moreover, sympathizers often operate under the radar, making detecting or preventing such threats difficult until it's too late.

To protect your organization, implement strict access controls, regular audits, and an organizational culture of security awareness. Train employees to understand the potential risks and ensure they know the consequences of stealing or sharing sensitive data, no matter their intentions.

The digital kingdom may be vast, but protecting it requires vigilance, trust, and constant attention to internal risks. Along with access controls, the best protection is limiting the amount of data that can be downloaded during a session without multiple-party authentication and authorization.

The data came from somewhere…

Musk-hating hackers release names and addresses of every Tesla owner in the US with chilling symbol

Elon Musk-hating hackers have doxxed Tesla owners in the United States, releasing an interactive map showing their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails.

The disturbing website, called DOGEQUEST, also provides the locations of every Tesla showroom, charging station and the known residences of Department of Government Efficiency employees.

It even lists FBI Director Kash Patel's home and uses a symbol of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor.

The site's operators said they will only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they provide proof that they sold their electric vehicle amid a national boycott of the car maker.

It is unclear where the hacker got the information about the Tesla owners, but it has caused a lot of concern - with Musk labeling it 'extreme domestic terrorism.'

'Encouraging destruction of Teslas throughout the country is extreme domestic terrorism!!' he wrote on X Tuesday night.

The website says it 'neither endorses nor condemns any actions.'

'If you're on the hunt for a Tesla to unleash your artistic flair with a spray can, just step outside - no map needed,' it reads. 'At DOGEQUEST, we believe in empowering creative expressions of protest that you can execute from the comfort of your own home.' <Source>

Bottom line…

Crazed hyper-partisans, especially progressive communist democrats and anarchists, can be found anywhere.

Protect your data with strong encryption, or be prepared to be screwed.

--- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


A MONSTREROUS BLACK HOLE IN AMERICAN JUSTICE

The common wisdom that federal judges are competent, nonpartisan, and seek justice is a crock of bullshit. Federal judges are more likely to be vain, narcissistic, obstinate, and hyper-partisan, ruling their fiefdom with an iron hand and no fear from higher courts.

CLEAR-DANGER

Overlooking the safety and security of American citizens, Obama appointed Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg responded to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Forward, and the ACLU of the District of Columbia, demanding that deportations of ultraviolent illegal aliens gang members to their native country.be halted. When lawyers informed him there were immigrants already en route to El Salvador and Honduras, Boasberg verbally ordered the planes be turned around but did not include the directive in his written order.

If the name Boasberg is familiar, remember he became a focal point in 2020 when he was tasked with overseeing investigations into the FBI’s use of FISA warrants, especially related to the surveillance of former Trump campaign advisor Carter Page. Boasberg, as the presiding judge of the FISA Court, was responsible for reviewing these warrants, which were later found to be flawed due to false information and omissions in the FBI’s applications.

And Boasberg was the judge who sentenced FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, the Trump-Russia hoax co-conspirator who pleaded guilty to improperly altering a CIA email to help obtain FISA surveillance against Carter Page, to just one year of probation and no prison time.

Tren de Aragua: A Clear and Present Danger to America 

The violent gang known as Tren de Aragua is one of the most notorious criminal organizations in Venezuela, spreading its influence not only across the country but into neighboring nations as well. Originating from the streets of Aragua State, the gang operates with extreme brutality, engaging in various illegal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. Tren de Aragua is infamous for its ruthless tactics, using violence and fear to dominate territories and maintain control over local populations. Their reach extends far beyond Venezuela, as they have infiltrated countries like Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, where they continue to exploit vulnerable communities. The gang’s structure is highly organized, with members showing a level of coordination and strategic thinking that allows them to evade law enforcement and grow their criminal empire. And they are here, in America, in increasing numbers.

The Myth of the Unbiased Federal Judge: A Closer Look at the Truth Under the Robes

  • The Illusion of Impartiality: At the heart of the myth of the “competent, nonpartisan, and just” federal judge is the notion that the judicial system operates like a well-oiled machine of objectivity. This idea paints a picture of judges as unemotional and logical, above politics and public opinion. The truth? Federal judges are appointed for life and wield significant power, often ruling on cases affecting millions. It’s no wonder some become so invested in their authority and beliefs.

In reality, many federal judges bring their personal biases—sometimes consciously, sometimes not—into the courtroom. Their political ideologies, past experiences, and personal beliefs shape their decisions like any other humans. This is especially true regarding the most controversial cases, where the stakes are high, and the public attention is even higher. When it feels like your career is on the line, it’s hard to resist the temptation to use the law as a tool to cement your personal beliefs.

  • The Rise of Judicial Narcissism: Federal judges don’t just have the luxury of interpreting laws—they also have the authority to shape the law as they see fit. Some judges relish this power, often ruling with a sense of superiority as if they’re the final word in all legal matters. This sense of inflated self-worth is too common in the judiciary, where an insular culture breeds arrogance.

Think about it: when was the last time a federal judge faced any real accountability for their rulings? High-profile decisions are often hard to challenge or overturn, and the power imbalance between judges and litigants is enormous. The judicial system operates in a vacuum, often removed from the lived realities of the people it is meant to serve.

This breeds a kind of narcissism among judges, who see themselves as infallible arbiters of justice and above reproach. It’s not just about ruling on the facts of a case anymore; it’s about asserting dominance over their domain.

  • Obstinance and the Iron Fist of Judicial Power: One of the most disturbing aspects of the federal judiciary is the obstinance some judges display regarding their decisions. Once a judge makes up their mind, it can be nearly impossible to change it—especially when they feel their decision is part of their legacy. Appeals and higher courts often seem like mere formalities, and even when they reverse a decision, the damage is frequently already done.

Some federal judges’ arrogance leads them to believe that their rulings are beyond reproach, leading to delays, unjust decisions, and a refusal to reconsider—even when new evidence or legal arguments arise. This resistance to change can make the judiciary feel like a fortress: once you’re in, the only way out is through the slow grind of bureaucracy.

  • A Judicial Legacy of Hyper-Partisanship: Perhaps one of the most glaring contradictions in the myth of the impartial federal judge is the pervasive influence of partisanship. Judges, particularly in recent decades, have been increasingly appointed based on their political alignment rather than their qualifications. The result is a deeply divided judiciary, where many judges have clear political affiliations and leanings that shape their rulings.

It is impossible to ignore the growing trend of hyper-partisanship, especially when high-profile appointments are often made to tip the ideological balance of the courts. The politicization of the judiciary doesn’t stop when judges take their seats—it carries over into their rulings, creating a judicial system that increasingly reflects the polarization of the American public.

Attorney General Pam Bondi Responds to Boasberg’s Outrageous Order…

USCA Case #25-5067 Document #2105940 Filed: 03/16/2025 Page 2 of 25

INTRODUCTION

A few hours ago, a District Court lacking jurisdiction issued an unprecedented, nationwide te1npora1y restraining order (“TRO”) purporting to halt the re111oval of aliens associated with Tren de Aragua (“TdA”), a designated foreign terrorist organization (“FTO”) pursuant to both the President’s constitutional authority to protect the nation and statuto1y authority under the Alien Enemies Act (“AEA”). A stay pending appeal is manifestly warranted, as is an immediate administrative stay.

This Court should halt this massive, unauthorized imposition on the Executive’s authority to remove people that Defendants had determined to be members of TdA, a group the President and the Secretary of State have found to be a threat to national security. This Court should halt this unprecedented intrusion upon the Executive’s authority to remove dangerous aliens who pose grave threats to the American people.

The district court acted without any jurisdiction-- these claims sound in habeas. See, e.g., Ludecke v. Watkins 335 U.S. 160 (1948) (considering challenge to action under AEA as habeas claim). Yet the plaintiffs waived their habeas claims after Defendants argued that only the Southern District of Texas, where plaintiffs were held, had jurisdiction over their claims. See Rumsfeld v. Padilla, 542 U.S. 425, 435 (2004).

PAMELA J. BONDI
U.S. Attorney General

<Source>

Bottom line…

The idea that federal judges are impartial, competent, and universally just is bullshit. While some judges strive to act fairly and honorably, many are more concerned with their own power, legacy, and political agenda than with impartial justice. The system is broken, and it’s high time we recognize its flaws.

For too long, federal judges have been allowed to rule with impunity, their decisions going unchallenged or unreviewed, leaving the public to grapple with the consequences. If we are to trust the judicial system to serve justice, we must demand greater accountability, transparency, and reform. The myth of the unbiased, all-knowing judge needs to be shattered—and replaced with a system that prioritizes fairness over ego and political interest.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE DARK ART OF POLITICAL BRIBES: HOW "BEHEST DONATIONS" HELP FUND POLITICIANS’ EXTRAVAGANCES

FOUNDATION-DONATION

In the deliberately complex world of politics, where the line between legal donations and unethical influence is often blurry, one of the more insidious methods of bypassing transparency and accountability is through “behest donations.”

These are donations made to third-party organizations—such as charities or political action committees (PACs)—that ultimately benefit the political figures who influence or solicit them. This practice allows lobbyists, corporations, and individuals with business before the government to fund lavish perks and expenses while obscuring the true source of the funds.

The use of behest donations has raised significant concerns over the years, especially among powerful political figures who are in a position to help their benefactors with favorable legislation or government contracts.

One of the more prominent examples of this practice involves former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his use of funds channeled through non-profit charities funded by lobbyists and individuals with business interests before the government.

What Are Behest Donations?

Behest donations occur when a public official directly or indirectly encourages a third party, like a charity, to receive a donation for the benefit of the official, their families and friends,  or their activities. These donations can be made to organizations that ostensibly serve public or charitable purposes but are often used to fund things like travel, accommodations, and events that indirectly benefit the official’s personal or political life. The key feature is that while the funds are technically donated to an independent organization, they are specifically solicited or requested by the politician.

How Behest Donations Bypass Regulations

Behest donations are effective at bypassing transparency regulations because they involve intermediaries. By making the donation to a charity or a PAC, the politician can avoid directly receiving the funds, which would be classified as a bribe. This indirect route can make it much harder to track where the money is coming from and, more importantly, who it is ultimately benefitting.

Because charities and non-profits are generally not required to disclose their donors like political campaigns must, it is easier for donors with business interests before the government to quietly support an elected official. In exchange for these generous gifts, the donors may gain favor or influence with the politician, all while maintaining the appearance of legitimate, non-political contributions.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Charitable Contributions and Travel Expenses

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s use of charitable donations to cover personal and political expenses provides a stark example of how behest donations work in practice. During his time in office, Schwarzenegger was widely known for his close ties to powerful lobbyists and business figures. Many of these individuals were engaged in industries directly affected by state policies and decisions.

One notable aspect of his administration was his reliance on non-profits funded by lobbyists and business interests to cover his travel and entertainment costs. The Schwarzenegger Foundation, for example, was involved in receiving funds from major corporate donors with significant stakes in California’s business and regulatory landscape. These donors, some of whom were engaged in industries like real estate, energy, and entertainment, would often contribute to Schwarzenegger’s charitable initiatives, knowing their support could help them build a favorable relationship with the governor.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger Foundation paid for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s private jet flights between Sacramento and Santa Monica Airport. The foundation, a non-profit organization established by Schwarzenegger, received significant donations from corporate donors during his time as governor. These donations were used to fund various activities, including the private jet flights Schwarzenegger used for personal and political purposes. This raised ethical concerns, as the funds were ostensibly meant for charitable purposes but were also being used to cover travel costs for the governor. The situation led to criticism over the potential conflict of interest and lack of transparency surrounding the foundation’s financial activities.

These donations were not always explicitly used to fund the governor’s personal expenses. Still, many were funneled into expenditures that would benefit him or his administration. For example, Schwarzenegger was known to have taken international trips funded by the foundation, which were often described as “business” trips. While ostensibly aimed at promoting the state’s interests abroad, these excursions were also used to cover the governor’s personal travel, meals, and leisure activities. The charities funded by corporate donors would pick up the tab, effectively disguising what amounted to political bribery.

The Ethical and Legal Implications

Politicians’ use of behest donations to cover personal or political expenses is not illegal in many jurisdictions, as long as the contributions are made to third-party organizations and not directly to the official. However, this practice raises serious ethical questions. It becomes increasingly difficult to discern whether the contributions are truly for charitable purposes or if they are a way for wealthy individuals to gain access to and influence over political figures.

The danger of behest donations lies in their ability to perpetuate a system where elected officials are beholden to the very industries they are supposed to regulate. In Schwarzenegger’s case, his relationship with big donors potentially allowed them to influence policy decisions in their favor. At the same time, he enjoyed lavish perks funded by the people he was supposed to oversee.

Both sides of the aisle…

The Clinton and Trump Foundation have been the subjects of intense scrutiny and controversy, with critics pointing to potential conflicts of interest, unethical practices, and even illegal activities related to their donors and operations. While both foundations have insisted that their missions are charitable and philanthropic, the flow of money, particularly from wealthy individuals, foreign governments, and business interests, has raised suspicions of political influence, quid pro quo arrangements, and financial mismanagement.

The Trump Foundation was also accused of using donations to promote Donald Trump’s political image. In one instance, the Foundation made a $25,000 donation to a political group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was then investigating fraud claims against Trump University. The donation, which came from the Trump Foundation, was made just before Bondi decided not to pursue legal action against Trump University, raising suspicions of a quid pro quo arrangement.

The donation to Bondi’s political group created a clear appearance of using charitable funds for political purposes, which is illegal under IRS rules. This raised concerns that the Foundation was being used to further Trump’s political ambitions, rather than to serve charitable causes.

In December 2018, the Trump Foundation agreed to dissolve and distribute its remaining assets, and Trump was ordered to pay $2 million in damages for misusing the Foundation’s funds.

 

Bottom line…

While using behest donations as a vehicle for political bribery may not always violate the letter of the law, it certainly undermines the spirit of fair governance. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the non-profit charities funded by lobbyists and business interests demonstrate how the system can be manipulated to fund personal expenses while obscuring the true source of political influence.

Any donation to an organization that directly benefits a politician or their associates should be treated as a political contribution, subject to the same disclosure and limitations as campaign donations.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DAN BONGINO, DEPUTY FBI DIRECTOR

Wishing Dan Bongino the very best on his new career assignment...

BONGINO-LAST-SHOW FBI-DEPUTY-DIRECTOR See You On The Other Side

Bottom line...

FLAG-GOD-BLESS

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


NET ZERO: THE DEMOCRAT DESTRUCTION MACHINE

NZE-2Net Zero is a communist-inspired plot to destroy America from within by starving the country of fossil fuels, the lifeblood of our industrialized economy.

The push for a “Net Zero” future is being sold as a solution to climate change, but some argue it’s much more than that—it’s a strategy to weaken America’s power from within. The idea behind Net Zero is simple: reduce carbon emissions to zero, which often means phasing out fossil fuels. However, critics suggest that this movement is not just about saving the planet—it’s part of a larger agenda to undermine the industrialized economy that relies on these resources.

Fossil fuels have been the backbone of America’s prosperity, fueling industries, creating jobs, and keeping the lights on across the nation. By restricting access to these energy sources, proponents of Net Zero may be intentionally starving the country of the very lifeblood that drives its economy. Some argue this could ultimately lead to economic ruin, with global dependence on other energy sources potentially opening doors for foreign influence.

They claim this is not just an environmental issue but a political one. Some critics view the push for Net Zero as inspired by far-left ideologies, akin to communist-style central planning, where control over resources equates to control over the people. They believe that reducing fossil fuel reliance isn’t just an energy transition but an attempt to dismantle the American industrial machine from within.

It’s no secret, that the progressive communist democrats want to destroy America’s economy, institutional infrastructure, capitalist system, and way of life.

Net Zero Is A Big Fat Zero For Economic Growth

Cutting greenhouse gas emissions was going to save the planet at no cost. Turns out it’s an economy wrecker, which is more feature than bug for many a climate alarmist.

Bluntly put, without cheap and reliable energy, which is what we get from fossil fuels, an economy turns sclerotic. Which is why the political left works so feverishly to end gas and oil. As we have said so many times before, the agenda behind cutting greenhouse gases is in actuality an assault on capitalism, which, as the legendary Milton Friedman famously said, is the only economic system that has enabled the masses to escape from “grinding poverty.”

There’s no better example than Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s New Green Deal, which her office called a “jobs and justice-centered plan to decarbonize the U.S. economy within 10 years.” But that was merely a cover for a much more sinister objective. “It wasn’t originally a climate thing at all,” according to the New York congresswoman’s former chief of staff, it was a “how-do-you-change-the-entire economy thing.”

The New Green Deal didn’t pass. But Joe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act did, and it was “badly mistitled and intentionally so,” says H. Sterling Burnett of the Heartland Institute.

“In truth, the IRA was nothing more nor less than a backdoor effort to impose the Green New Deal scam that Biden and company had tried and failed to pass through Congress previously,” he adds. <Source>

The truth...

Net Zero Means People ‘Will Have To Change Their Lives’

The Labour Party’s Bill Esterson, the most senior British Parliament “backbencher charged with scrutinizing the government’s energy policy,” told the Telegraph that ordinary “people have to change their lives” to conform to the demands of the United Kingdom’s net-zero crusade. <Source>

Bottom line…

Whether or not you agree with this viewpoint, it’s clear that the debate surrounding Net Zero is about more than just emissions—it’s about the future of America’s economy, sovereignty, global standing, and your quality of life.

We are so screwed.

--- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE DEEP STATE BUREAUCRACY GOES FULL ALINSKY AT ARLINGTON CEMETARY

Disrespecting Venerated Service Members…

Arlington Cemetery website drops links for Black, Hispanic, and women veterans

The website for Arlington National Cemetery "unpublished" links to lists of notable graves, walking tours and educational material pertaining to Black, Hispanic and women veterans, as well as some Medal of Honor recipients.


ArlingtonArlington National Cemetery is the most venerated final resting ground in the nation, overseen by silent soldiers in immaculate uniforms with ramrod-straight discipline. Across its hundreds of acres in Virginia, they watch over 400,000 graves of U.S. service members dating back to the Civil War, including two presidents, and more than 400 Medal of Honor recipients.

But in recent weeks, the cemetery’s public website has scrubbed dozens of pages on gravesites and educational materials that include histories of prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members buried in the cemetery, along with educational material on dozens of Medal of Honor recipients and maps of prominent gravesites of Marine Corps veterans and other services.

Cemetery officials confirmed to Task & Purpose that the pages were “unpublished” to meet recent orders by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth targeting race and gender-related language and policies in the military.

Gone from public view are links to lists of dozens of “Notable Graves” at Arlington of women and Black and Hispanic service members who are buried in the cemetery. About a dozen other “Notable Graves” lists remain highlighted on the website, including lists of politicians, athletes and even foreign nationals. <Source>

What is going on?

Alinski

Saul Alinsky’s 12 Rules for Radicals

RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity’s very credibility and reputation is at stake, because if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to chip away at the damage.)

The establishment and deep-state bureaucracy is perverting President Trump’s Executive Orders by applying them inappropriately, without prudence and discrimination.

Bottom line…

Stand up and call bullshit whenever you encounter progressive communist democrats ideology, wherever and whenever it is discovered.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


SOCIAL SECURITY: THE FACE OF FRAUD

From my inbox...

Once again the scumbag scammers are trying to trick social security recipients into providing non-public personal information or directing the download of malicious virus software. 

The header ending with ". id," uses the Internet country code top-level domain for Indonesia... not a domestic government (.gov) site.

Hdr

The body of the fraudulent message...

Body
The web address associated with the "Download Statement" button leads to a private "dropbox" account. 

Button
Bottom line...

NEVER CLICK ON ANY E-MAIL MESSAGE FROM A GOVERNMENT SOURCE. LOGON TO THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE AND SIGN IN.

DON'T BE SCAMMED.

Ssa

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


SCHMUCK SCHUMER'S GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN

Chuck Schumer continues to celebrate the destruction of America from within…

Chuck-schumer

Democrats vote for waste fraud and abuse—and want to cripple America…

Government shutdown likely after Schumer says Senate Dems will block GOP funding bill

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday that most Democrats in the upper chamber will not support a House Republican-passed bill to fund the federal government through the end of September, all but ensuring a partial shutdown beginning at 11:59 p.m. Friday.

“Funding the government should be a bipartisan effort, but Republicans chose a partisan path, drafting their [continuing resolution] without any input — any input — from congressional Democrats,” Schumer (D-NY) said on the Senate floor Wednesday. <Source>

Many a truth is spoken in jest…

Considering their love of condoms, it stands to reason that

GOVERNMENT-EMBLEM-CONDOM
Bottom line…

EXPLAIN-DEMOCRATS

We are so screwed.

Evil-democratsYes! Chuck Schumer is the devil!

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


PANIC: THE DEMOCRAT'S DESTRUCTION MACHINE

Once again, the Sludge Report is screaming Panic!

Media-panic2

Note: TV pundit Jim Cramer has an abysmal record regarding future events. 

Is this what winning looks like?

Hr1968crDemocrats for years have shrieked about the dangers of shutting down the government; I guess it really wasn’t that important.

The Paradox of Protesting Government Efficiency

In recent months, loud and sometimes violent protests have erupted against efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. Led by both progressive communist Democrats and the establishment Republican collaborators, these miscreants argue that cutting spending and reducing government programs could lead to a recession—if not a full-blown depression—with thousands of displaced federal workers flooding the job market and disrupting local economies.

The logic behind this opposition rests on a Keynesian view of economics: government spending is essential for maintaining economic stability. In this view, as long as the government continues to pump money into the economy, it drives demand, creates jobs, and fuels growth. Reducing or eliminating these programs, the progressive communist democrats argue, would cut off this vital financial lifeline, leading to unemployment and economic downturn.

However, the crux of the issue is the nature of these programs. Many were designed to secure political support rather than address real needs, resulting in inefficient spending and a bloated government. The push for efficiency is an attempt to refocus resources and eliminate waste—yet it’s being met with fierce resistance, as those reliant on these funds fear the consequences.

These economically illiterate fools fail to see that excessive government expenditure, partly with high-interest borrowed money, leads to massive economy-killing stagflation and the degradation of quality of life.

Bottom line…

Ultimately, the question isn’t whether cutting waste will harm the economy but whether continuing to fund inefficient programs is a sustainable path forward. As we balance fiscal responsibility with economic stability, the need for reform has never been more evident.

The progressive communist democrats do not give a rat’s ass about America and Americans; it’s all about political power and the destruction of America from within on behalf of their communist ideology, where Americans will be subservient to a ruling class of wealthy elites.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve

Af-ssa


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DEMOCRATS AND THEIR PROPAGANDISTS WANT TO CRASH THE ECONOMY

There is no doubt in my mind that the progressive communist democrats and their media propagandists want to crash the American economy as a means of fighting President Trump’s Administration and to provide talking points for the 2026 mid-term election attempt to re-capture the House and Senate.

These are the very same people who are attempting to destroy America from within using fear, chaos, panic, and identity politics.

The last things the progressive communist democrats want are a predictable economy, smaller government, significantly reduced spending, fewer regulations, and fewer taxes.

Oh My God, the sky is falling, reports the radical left Sludge Report…

Economy
The Dangers of Politically-Driven Panic and Its Impact on the Economy

In the complex world of economics, confidence is key. When panic sets in, even minor triggers can lead to disastrous consequences. One of the most dangerous forms of panic is when it’s politically driven, as it can accelerate economic downturns, destabilize markets, and affect millions of lives.

A notable example of this occurred during the 2008 financial crisis, particularly with the crash of IndyMac Bank. Political leaders played a key role in fueling the panic in the months leading up to the collapse. Senator Chuck Schumer, in particular, sent a letter to federal regulators expressing concerns about IndyMac’s financial stability. The letter had the intended effect of igniting fear. Schumer’s statement led to a run on the bank, with depositors withdrawing their money in mass panic. Within days, IndyMac was taken over by the FDIC, marking one of the most significant bank failures in U.S. history.

How Chuck Schumer Caused the Second Largest Bank Failure in US History

Federal officials aren’t supposed to cause bank runs. In fact, much of the New Deal bank regulatory apparatus was set up for the purpose of eliminating such panics. When FDR was hit with a massive set of bank runs shortly after taking office, he gave an address in order to calm terrified depositors, assuring them that the banks would reopen shortly, and that everything would be fine.

But Chuck Schumer is no FDR. He doesn’t stop bank runs; he starts them. Or, at least, has started one. The collapse of IndyMac bank, the second largest bank failure in American history, began with a letter from the office of Senator Charles Schumer on June 27. He questioned the viability of the bank. When a senior senator who is in a number of influential posts regarding oversight of bank regulators directly attacks the confidence of a depository institution, it matters. Not surprisingly, the director of the Office of Thrift Supervision concluded that the collapse of the bank immediately following the Senator’s comments was not a coincidence. Director Reich concluded that Senator Schumer had ‘given the bank a heart attack.’

Why? Why would a federal official with enormous power, destroy an institution on which tens of thousands of depositors (not all of whom are insured) and employees depend? Why would a New York Senator attack a Pasadena bank, acting as some sort of amateur, self-appointed, long-distance bank examiner?

Perhaps this might help answer the question: IndyMac has been under attack from the hard left. The Center for Responsible Lending issued an attack on IndyMac within a few days of Schumer’s letter. CRL is part of a small army of left of center’ research’ groups, community organizers, and public interest law firms who make their living accusing home lenders of racial redlining and predatory lending. On June 20th the Center accused IndyMac of unfair practices regarding minority borrowers.

A suspicious person might think that a network of lefty attack groups proficient in bank bashing and frequently funded by trial lawyers and short-sellers, coordinated their activities with a law firm on the hunt and a Senator who works closely with the network.

On the other hand, maybe it is a coincidence that CRL and Sen. Schumer attacked the same bank in the same week. Maybe he didn’t know about the CRL report, nor CRL about his letter. Maybe the community group didn’t know about the trial-lawyer class action lawsuit which was launched against Indy a couple of weeks before all of this started.

Yeah, right. <Source: CNBC>

It must be a coincidence that some of Schumer’s major donors swept in to purchase the bank’s assets from the FDIC in a pennies-on-the-dollar fire sale. They profited handsomely, with the FDIC assuming the majority of the losses.

While politicians like Schumer interfere in the economy, their actions can have far-reaching consequences when they stoke public fear. A politically driven panic can be contagious, undermining trust in financial institutions, causing stock market volatility, and ultimately crashing the economy.

The IndyMac disaster is a cautionary tale of how powerful words and actions can be when it comes to economic stability. It underscores the importance of thoughtful leadership and communication, particularly in times of financial uncertainty. Politicians must carefully consider the broader impact of their actions and avoid fueling panic that can lead to dire consequences for the economy and everyday citizens.

Bottom line…

In conclusion, financial manipulators understand that profitability is not limited to periods of economic growth or stability. Whether times are good or bad, volatility drives their success. For traders who create no tangible economic value, the key to their profit lies in strategically placing hedged bets, capitalizing on market fluctuations, and exploiting instability for personal gain. In this landscape, the ability to navigate volatility becomes the ultimate tool for wealth generation, regardless of the broader economic context.

We are so screwed.

-- Steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS