President Trump

[AlexR]

Trump is quoted today as saying (of Iran): "A whole civilization will die tonight."
These are truly evil words. Even if - and that's a HUGE if here - the war could be morally justified, that is no reason to threaten genocide.
I am beyond appalled.
Iran's civilization is one of the most nottworthy our planet has evet known.
How can the average American put up with Trump's dangerous bullshit and warmongering? How can he understand, much less appove the merciless bombings, now of non-military targets?
Why aren't Americans ANGRY?
So passive .
AR

[JimHow]

Strait of Hormuz to reopen due to brilliant "deal-making" from the great American president Donald Trump. Still two weeks to knock off the Iran nuclear threats, and save a 7,000 year old civilization while we are at it. No? What a man. "The Art of the Deal," available on Amazon for $16 hardcover, $11 paperback. Nobel Peace Prize NEXT year? Long overdue, no? Was my man Obama this successful? I think the betting line on Trump being overthrown by the US military and leaving the country in disgrace has probably become more tenuous. All is well, we Americans have everything under control. Just sit back and listen to what we have to say.... or else.

[DavidG]

Here are links to unlocked versions of the editorials that wouldn’t open:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/04/opin ... =url-share

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/opin ... =url-share

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/22/opin ... =url-share

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/opin ... =url-share


I think you’re both right in many ways about Trump.

He is at the height of his powers here. Despite the low approval ratings he still has his hands on all the levers of power and is happy to use or abuse them. At the same time, he is clearly demonstrating that he can’t think clearly or comprehend the consequences of his narcissistic bullying. He may just be crazy enough to try canceling the mid-terms.

His idiotic war has strengthened Russia and China and has lost us the trust of those allies he hadn’t already alienated, with Israel perhaps the lone exception. Which is adding even more fuel to anti-Semitism in the US.

And then there’s the dismantling of so many government agencies and cancellations of so many grants and projects designed to protect our health, environment, education. And the assault on our legal system aided and abetted by the political hacks on the Supreme Court.

It’s bad enough that we have a malignant narcissist surrounded by sycophants amplifying his basest instincts running things. It’s worse that more than a third of the population here either can’t see it, doesn’t care, or thinks it’s the way things should be.

[AlexR]

We can only hope that the US will start to change course starting with the midterm elections.

AR

[JimHow]

So you think there are going to be midterm elections. Interesting....

[DavidG]

Here’s an article on the discussions inside the administration leading up to the decision to start the war:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/p ... =url-share

Ian, I’m curious about your comment that seems to imply that the main reason Trump went ahead was because Netanyahu had something on him and was blackmailing him. Clearly Israel’s plan to go ahead was influential. Maybe I read too much into your comment. It seems to me that there are already a ton of people with something on Trump. Since he sees himself as “the most powerful man in the world,” and given his experience suppressing or distracting or bullying his way past prior revelations, plus his narcissism and his diminished mental capacity, I have a hard time believing Netanyahu could blackmail him into attacking Iran. They could have videos of him cavorting with hookers or having sex with children or animals. He would just bluster that it was all fake, and remain in power because no one in his cabinet or the R side of the aisle in Senate would move to remove him.

The article above seems consistent with Trump’s personality, his belief that he is always the smartest guy in the room, and his desire to show off that only he can fix it.

Of course I could be wrong about all that. I’m curious if there was anything more specific behind your statement that Netanyahu blackmailed him into attacking Iran.

If midterm elections are canceled, I'd like to see the 70% or so of the US population that isn’t delusional withhold tax payments. But I fear bloodshed on a scale that would make the ICE push look like a picnic.

[AlexR]

What am I reading?
Is this talk of cancellng the electionS serious?

AR

[JimHow]

Yes, because of the rampant voter fraud perpetrated by non-citizens voting across the country, as what happened in the 2020 presidential election, and the failure of Congress to pass the SAVE Act. Don't whip the messenger.

[AlexR]

No whipping Jim.
I promise
Alex

[Comte Flaneur]

Here’s an article on the discussions inside the administration leading up to the decision to start the war:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/us/p ... =url-share

Ian, I’m curious about your comment that seems to imply that the main reason Trump went ahead was because Netanyahu had something on him and was blackmailing him. Clearly Israel’s plan to go ahead was influential. Maybe I read too much into your comment. It seems to me that there are already a ton of people with something on Trump. Since he sees himself as “the most powerful man in the world,” and given his experience suppressing or distracting or bullying his way past prior revelations, plus his narcissism and his diminished mental capacity, I have a hard time believing Netanyahu could blackmail him into attacking Iran. They could have videos of him cavorting with hookers or having sex with children or animals. He would just bluster that it was all fake, and remain in power because no one in his cabinet or the R side of the aisle in Senate would move to remove him.

The article above seems consistent with Trump’s personality, his belief that he is always the smartest guy in the room, and his desire to show off that only he can fix it.

Of course I could be wrong about all that. I’m curious if there was anything more specific behind your statement that Netanyahu blackmailed him into attacking Iran.

If midterm elections are canceled, I'd like to see the 70% or so of the US population that isn’t delusional withhold tax payments. But I fear bloodshed on a scale that would make the ICE push look like a picnic.

David I read and listen to many different sources on this and other geopolitical issues because the mainstream media has not done a good job of reporting events in the Middle East, especially since 10/7/23, and the genocide which subsequently unfolded. This actually is an understatement because their reporting or lack thereof, has been disgraceful. The New York Times given its reputation has effectively been complicit in covering up what has been going on in Gaza, probably the greatest policy induced humanitarian catastrophe of my life time (I was not around in WW2). So have others like the BBC and the Guardian. The mainstream western media has become like Pravda in Brezhnev’s Soviet Union. I watched this genocide play out on my iPhone and on my iPad. I read and listen to a lot non mainstream media. Like for example Judge Napolitano and his guests which include the likes of Jeff Sachs and John Mearsheimer, two academics not afraid to speak truth to power. The consistent view from sources like these is that Trump has been railroaded by Netanyahu into this war - which included five visits to Washington in one year - which is clearly not in America’s interests because Iran presented no threat to the US. Whereas Obama and Biden were able to resist this relentless pressure Trump could not, because he is being bribed, blackmailed or both and is probably not even in charge. The blackmailing almost certainly relates to Trump’s activities with the allegedly ‘late’ Jeffrey Epstein, a Mossad asset and who ran a highly successful blackmailing operation, and if it all came out Trump’s position as President would be untenable. In fact they would argue that US foreign policy has been dictated by Israel for many decades, starting with the Iraq war, because of the power of AIPAC over pretty every politician in Washington. Sounds ever so conspiratorial doesn’t it? But it happens to be true, was first exposed by Mearsheimer 20 years ago and Americans are waking up to it, and asking why they send nearly $4bn a year to this country and join in with its forever wars, when normal American folk cannot afford basics like housing and healthcare.

[DavidG]

A lot to digest there. A fair amount of if it makes sense. I think Trump has no doubt been pressured and is easily influenced. I suspect he’s more susceptible to sycophancy than blackmail.

Some of the Epstein stuff does sound a little too conspiratorial to easily swallow. This in particular jumped out at me:

the allegedly ‘late’ Jeffrey Epstein

Do you believe Epstein is still alive? I dunno Ian…

[Comte Flaneur]

I assume he is not alive - more likely murdered than committing suicide - and would discount alleged reported sightings, just as we used to discount alleged reported sightings of Elvis after his death in 1977

[stefan]

You never know about these things. For example, I discovered that Lemurians are still around. Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of one from our daughter's house on Mount Shasta. Our government would improve if Lemurians entered the political arena.

[DavidG]

Ian, nothing about Trump or Epstein, if documented, would surprise me at this point as long as it’s consistent with the laws of physics. The idea that Epstein was murdered is plausible. He had worldwide connections the extent of which will likely never be fully revealed.

Stefan, I had to look up Lemurians. My first thought was this, but it didn’t fit your narrative:

Ply me with enough Haut Brion and I may tell a wild story or two…

[stefan]

Sure, David. Come to Oregon. Jan and I would love to host you and Peggy.

[Nicklasss]

And now this : https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/202 ... ey-epstein

[Comte Flaneur]

Nic
I was intrigued by this out-of-the-blue intervention by the normally passive First Lady.

My guess is that something really big is about to drop and she is trying to do damage control and front run it.

The rumour that I heard is that she first slept with DJT on Jeffrey Epstein’s jet. Which is not a good look, but it could be worse than that.

Meanwhile I am also hearing that Israel is very opposed to a ceasefire which Trump is deperate to sustain and will be willing to meet the lion’s share of Iranian demands

It boils down to who you think is calling the shots here. If you are an optimist you think the US is calling the shots, a view priced into financial markets.

[Jay Winton]

and now I read in the NYT that Iran doesn't know where it placed the mines in the SOH and they are much harder to remove than install. The US mothballed its minesweepers as well.

[DavidG]

Well, Jay, imagine that! Who knew that war could be so complicated? Not the criminal nutcase in the Oval Office. So much winning I can't stand it.

Does anyone who isn't delusional believe that Steven Witless and Sycophant Son in Law are going to be able to negotiate successfully? I'm sure it doesn't help that it is common knowledge that Trump negotiates in bad faith, but their batting average is 0.000.

[JimHow]

See, Alex, this is how autocrats interfere with elections:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/p ... llots.html

And this is nothing compared to what is coming. It will be fascinating to watch the guy in Hungary fight to stay in there after tomorrow, and, equally interesting, how Orange, JD, et al help him try to steal the election. I just don't see the weak, old Democratic Party being up to the task, as evidenced by the last general election and fiascos like what is going on in the California governor race.

[AlexR]

Hi Jim,

Yes, this is indeed scary overreach.

It has been challenged in the courts, and I have trouble undetstanding how, in purely practical terms, the measure could be applied.

For information, the cost of postage has skyrocketed in France, while the amount of mail has plummeted.
Cherchez l'erreur...

Alex

[JimHow]

Orban is supposed to lose today, just like Orange is supposed to lose the midterms...
We'll see....

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/worl ... -know.html

Most pollsters predict that Tisza will win more votes overall than Fidesz. But even if it does, the extreme complexity of the electoral system, along with years of gerrymandering, means the outcome in Parliament might not quite reflect that.

Gee. Sound familiar?

[JimHow]

Wow! I'm flying into Hong Kong and reading on my spotty internet that Orban has conceded....
A harbinger for the US midterms? Dare we dream?

[Comte Flaneur]

A huge blow for the MAGA movement. Surely JDV’s intervention must have hurt rather than helped Orban. The EU establishment will be celebrating.

[Claudius2]

Guys
Magyar won easily and Orban has been forced to walk away after 16 years.
His party (TISZA) is centre or centre right and opposes some EU policy including support for Ukraine and immigration.
I think we may be in for an interesting if not turbulent time there.
I am quite relieved to see Orban go but unsure of what to expect.

[DavidG]

Orban’s definitive loss is certainly good news, but I’m not convinced it’s a sign that we’re heading out of the woods. Here in the US, we’re still in deep doo-doo. Even if some of the damage is reversible with a different President and Congress, it would by no means be secure from the next electoral shift. And much of what we’ve lost will never be recovered.

Here’s a portion of something Steve Vladek wrote today. It’s discouraging, because I think the structural changes needed are extremely unlikely.

From https://www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-22 ... dium=email

There are a lot of people out there who think that the way to fix our current problems is by putting different people in charge—people who will be in a position to rebuild internal and external trust in these institutions because they are the right kind of people and they’re on the right “team.”

I certainly agree that focusing on the people will help; principled leadership unquestionably matters—as its absence is driving home in spades on a [s]daily[/s] hourly basis. But it seems to me that, among the many lessons the past 15 months have (or should have) taught us, an especially important one is that the wrong people can, in very short order, undermine trust that it took years, if not decades, for the right people to build. And we should all be clear-eyed about the possibility that the American people will elect the wrong people again.

The goal of a reconstructive agenda, then, has to be not just about rebuilding the institutions from the inside out, but ensuring that there are better external checks in place, should history repeat itself, to constrain the ability of the wrong people to abuse their authority quite so easily—by creating or expanding external accountability mechanisms.

[Jay Winton]

Trump: the straight is open!! The straight is open!! Ummm....closed again.

[JimHow]

I know you're not a big fan of the royal family, Ian, Charles seemed to get pretty high marks here in the U.S., presenting quite a contrast to our own would-be Richard II.
Where do things stand with the monarchy these days? I'm looking forward to setting foot on the sceptred isle week after next!

[JimHow]

Graham Platner of Maine....

I'm still skeptical... But dare I hope?

I still think Collins is going to win. But....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5d8G2RHPyQ