Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Monday, December 29, 2025
The Boondoggle Administration
Follow the money as they say. Where are these cats spending (or not) spending money? We started off with the whole DOGE fiasco. It was sold as a way to make government more accountable and efficient when in reality it was a way to stop numerous investigations into Elon Musk's shady business practices. Ever get your DOGE check? Me neither. It is not even been a full year yet and to cover all the boondoggles so far would turn this blog post into a three volume novel. That's even if we set aside all the merch, investment and opaque crypto scams. Of course Boondoggles are nothing new and created by both political parties. Let's check out a more recent boondoggle, the XM7 (a new army rifle).
The M-16 has been around more than 50 years and used from Vietnam to Iraq (the M4 carbine). The rifle has been able to adapt to new technologies through the decades. The power is adequate for most situations. It is not a long range sniper weapon and may have trouble penetrating the most advanced body armor of potential foes like Russia and China. Great! Let's get rid of all of them and replace them with something more heavy, able to carry less rounds and more expensive! Let's give the huge contract to only one company, Sig Sauer. Ammo? Yup, made by one company. I'm sure nothing could go wrong with that. All of this for only 4.5 BILLION dollars. If you would like to learn more, check out this video. This is on going. Let's check out a few other current boondoggles; the Epstien Ball Room (that's what I'm calling it, 50 Billion for Argentina and a stratospheric ICE budget. There are more but let's shine light on these three.
So Mad King Donald unilaterally decided what we really need is a massive Ballroom instead of the East Wing of the White House. Because that will Make America Great or something. He says he will pay for it, not US taxpayers. Great! I'm sure he will keep his word this time. But let's face it, that's not the issue. The White House is not his to renovate. Rather, it belongs to we the people. A President is nothing more than a temporary caretaker. Somehow, I think Washington D.C. has plenty of places for large events, parties and so on. This is about one man's super fragile over inflated ego. It's also about Pay to Play. Corporations and rich individuals also donating are not giving for fun. They will expect a return on their investment. This is a gross scheme that in no way shape or form helps the American people in any way. America first, my ass!
Let's do Israel's bidding and blow Putin! No, that's for another time. Let's give 40 Billion for Argentina! I know we often throw our financial weight around but this one is different. Why? The cash was tied to a specific election outcome desired by Mad King Donald. Sounds a bit underhanded and shady to me. That money is gone. No amount of cash will prop up really bad ideas for very long. Here's a fat middle finger for you farmers, ranchers and anyone in need of disaster relief! Keep in mind those massive dollar figures always lead to more corruption, not less. Hey, speaking of massive amounts of cash, consider the ICE budget.
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) got a windfall budget larger than the funds for many militaries around the world. Where money goes, corruption follows. Bad hiring practices, violations of people's rights and an ever growing list of sleazy deals are only the beginning. Privately run detention AKA Concentration Camps, airlines going into the deportation flight business all with no independent oversight is going to be one hell of a hairball to unwind when accountability comes. It will, friends. All storms pass. "I was just following orders," is not a viable defense. Our country will never be able to undo all the damage these ass-clowns are causing but we got to try.
I'm confident I'm missing many more on-going boondoggles and this is only year one of four. What can we do? Sunshine! That's right, shine a bright spotlight on all the corruption, cruelty and on going theft. Make the lives of unresponsive congress people utterly miserable and vote them out. Show up to your local protests, courage is contagious and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, don't give these assholes any more power by doomscrolling, whining and giving up. Trump is polling in the toilet, ICE is far below its goals and being resisted every day. The whole damn Administration is staffed by incompetent sycophants who are already turning on each other. 2026 is gonna be bumpy, very bumpy and also hopeful.
Monday, December 22, 2025
Monday, December 15, 2025
Monday, December 8, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2025
We need to start asking...
What are the biggest problems we need to solve? How? (USA) Just to encourage conversation, let's consider a few questions in no particular order.
1. How can we fix our broken healthcare system?
Easier said than done, transition to a single payer system like the rest of the developed world. Remember Obama Care is a system designed to to keep insurance companies in business, not treat healthcare as a human right. Maybe nationalize the whole system?
Clean up the environment and cut way back on all the cheap junk food would also be helpful. Teach people how to live healthy and make it affordable both money and time-wise. Taking responsibility is cool and all if people know what to do.
2. What can we do about increasing homelessness, skyrocketing rent and housing costs?
Get all the corporate conglomerations out of the home-buying business. House people in all the vacant properties as they transition into homes. There is NO excuse for anyone having to live on the street. Maybe a Universal Basic Income? There's more for me to learn here.
3. When can we make intelligence and knowledge cool again?
When did being a dumbass become cool? Mad respect for all in the skilled trades, just add a little basic science, history and art. Build a better BS detector to fight ignorance. No college? No problem, learn for free at your local library. Study stuff and question everything!
4. Will climate change indeed be the end of civilization?
It will change it for sure. We are an adaptable bunch! Deal with is now or it will deal with us later. Add nukes, AI and greed and it is easy to fall into despair. Don't give in!
5. Can we solve income inequality which is at the core of so many of our problems?
We are about to find out. A billionaire victory will be pyrrhic victory. Congrats assholes, you now rule over ashes and wastelands. Enjoy your bunker! Let's pick another path.
Solving number 5 fixes so many things. I say as long as one person is hungry, naked and malnourished, we cannot afford billionaires.
I'm sure you can think of many more questions. We got work to do and failure is not an option!
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Thankful, Even in Dark Times
The flag still flies! And yes, there is always much to be thankful for. When things look bleak, remember all storms pass, so will this one. Here are a few things to keep in mind...
1. No Kings. Mass protests serve to remind us, we are not alone. They are also super-spreader events for courage. We put politicians on notice- we are watching. We work for a better future and not just a return to the status quo because that sucked too. The world sees not all of us are lost in a right wing propaganda fog.
2. All of those struggling against the loss of Due Process, government kidnappings, Extraordinary Renditions and Concentration Camps popping up on American soil. For every action, there is a reaction. I'm thankful we are staying non-violent (for now). Remember friends, the regime needs violence! At some point the outrage may be too much and violence ay erupt. We'll cross that bridge when the time comes.
3. The military is not going along with the authoritarian agenda (for now). Yes, there are warcrimes being committed in the Caribbean that will have to be addressed but the military seems uninterested in turning on us, the American people. That's why 47 is arming ICE to the teeth. Keep in mind that they are poorly trained, too few and built on grift. Many will one day be behind bars, sued into oblivion and become social pariahs. Time cures all.
4. Those who still dig for truth. I recently did a post about corruption and joked about doing one every week! This rotten regime is corrupt top to bottom. There are new examples coming out every week thanks to courageous people who look. Just put a little sunshine on it.
5. The idea of the Frog Brigade )Tactical Frivolity! Absurdity is a good response to these incompetent grifters, xenophobes and sycophants. We will continue to adapt, adjust and overcome until loser Trump and company are gone from this Earth or in jail.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
A scale of Corruption Never Before Imagined
Behold, the corruption is on a scale never before imagined. This could be a weekly post like the good news stories but that would just be depressing. These stories are import and need to to see the light of day. So I'll share every so often. In the mean time, here a few to start with...
Ad Contracts Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
Trump’s Crypto Corruption: A New Low in Pay-to-Play Politic
Donald Trump’s Corruption of the Law Is Destroying American Democracy
The Bombshell Inside Trump’s $1.3 Billion Pardon Market
This is just a small sample but not a small amount of money. The longer this goes on, the worse it will get. Follow the money.
"It's a big ole club and you ain't in it."
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contractsoney From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Sunday, November 2, 2025
The Supreme Kangaroo Court
We have the finest Supreme Court money and political corruption can buy. Over and over they are proving their disdain for democratic values by siding with a wanna-be tyrant and his assorted ghouls. Some of the justices are bursting at the seams with staggering levels of corruption and utter disregard for the changing views of the American people. Abortion, civil rights, gay marriage, gun control and money corrupting our government at every level are all issues we are moving backwards on. They seem to have a belief that they are untouchable but are they?
Maybe in the short term they are untouchable but all things end. Let's face it, Congress isn't going to do anything. After all, they help create this monster. Thank you Mitch McConnell and friends! Our Republican controlled Congress also seems completely happy with selling out what little is left of our democracy. We save that for another time. We have front row seats watching the Republican Party implode in real time. They are wildly unpopular, so much so, they cannot do town halls without facing firestorms of ridicule and voter ire. Without massive, nationwide gerrymandering or new and improved ways of cheating, they know they are doomed in the 2026 election cycle. They are frozen with fear, unable to carry out their duties. Caught between the Orange Monster on one side and growing voter anger on the other, they spew debunked talking points, finger point and hide as much as possible. This is not a long-term solution for anyone. Things will change. But how?
The No Kings protests are a big step in the right direction. Another step will be large business boycotts. We simply must stop buying from any company that supports this so-called regime. Collectively, our wallets can be a hell of a weapon! Instead of buying things for each other that we don't need, what if we followed the true Spirit of Christmas and helped the needy? I know, wishful thinking! I think business boycotts will be our next big step. Some are suggesting a national strike. If large enough, I think it would certainly work. We have never done anything like that before and it will take never before seen here levels of organizing, planning and execution. We may have no choice but to learn how.
In the meantime why can't we have a No Kangaroo Supreme Court protest? It should be in Washington DC on a weekly basis. We need to remind the court that they are indeed accountable, accountable to us, the people. All of our institutions have utterly failed to save us from this unfolding disaster. We have no choice but to save ourselves. We failed to do so in the 2024 election but history does not stop. We lose only if we decide to.
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Good News 10.11.2025!
This is good news. Keep it peaceful.
Trump accidentally posted message pressuring Pam Bondi to charge his enemies, source says
Makes the case weaker.
Let's hope it holds.
Release the Epstein Files!!
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Good News 9.29.2025
A little late on the good news, been sick the last few days. Getting better.
Been meaning to do a longer writing post on how we fight back against a corrupt and out of touch US Supreme Court. Why aren't there mass protests on their doorstep every day? More on that soon- onto some good news!
Imelda Is Making A WILD Turn... Storms to miss Carolinas ( mostly)
Release the Epstein Files!!
Friday, September 19, 2025
Friday, September 12, 2025
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Your Power
Trust your own feelings, experience and senses. Don't allow others to tell you what is real or not real. Despite what dear leader Donald says the economy is sputtering. Tariffs are an added expense, full stop. That added expense will indeed be passed on to you and me. Other countries do not pay tariffs, consumers do. All the tariff drama creates uncertainty and business does not like uncertainty. There will be no rush to rebuild a great manufacturing base here in the USA. Let's be clear, those days are gone. What the politicians will not tell you is automation has replaced most jobs now, not just cheap overseas labor. With the rise of artificial intelligence, more and more jobs will be replaced by machines. Longing for a mythological past will only exacerbate our problems. We are going to need new leadership with a focus on solving real problems and the long-term future. Lies and propaganda can only go so far. Your power lies in learning how to recognize fact from fiction.
Something that sounds too good to be true usually is not true at all. Check around. Whatever you do, don't rely on one source of news. Find out about the same story from as many different points of view as possible. It is only going to become more and more difficult to discern fact from fiction as time goes on. All of us will have to learn to find our own honest and reliable sources for news. The lines between fiction, fantasy and reality will only become more opaque as AI created content becomes more realistic. Our best defense is to question everything.You can trust a source but don't forget to verify it with another source or better yet sources.
One of the first questions you should always ask is “Why are you telling me this?” Who benefits and who does this hurt should be your next questions. Don't allow those in power to suddenly change the subject or engage in what aboutism. We are not talking about what's so and so did way back when, that's irrelevant. We must collectively hold their feet to the fire. It is also important to remember whatever is in the news may only be serving as a distraction. In other words, what is not in the news that should be and why? Again, who benefits? Always be skeptical of breaking news.
In a new cycle driven by profits and not truth where views and clicks drive advertising dollars accuracy often gets sacrificed for first. An outrageous or sensational story should immediately be treated with skepticism. Check back on that story after several days to get an idea of what really happened. Also, take a break. Authoritarian types thrive on your endless attention and exhaustion. It is a good idea to look away from time to time. Your power lies in deciding what is important for you and letting the rest go by the wayside. Don't let the relentless lies, propaganda and posturing wear down your resistance. Our current mess was not created in a day, nor will it be solved in a day. Think long term and pace yourself accordingly.
Friday, September 5, 2025
Good News 9.5.2025
Meet Flamingo, the missile that brings European Russia within Kyiv’s range
Good news for Ukraine.
Congress Restores Some Funding for International Food Aid
A small step in the right direction?
Most Trump tariffs are not legal, US appeals court rules
Will this hold?
Due process for all!
Good happenings!
Saturday, August 30, 2025
On Nazis and MAGA
For a while now many have been comparing contemporary American politics to the Nazis. While it is wise to understand warnings from history, it's also important to keep in mind what has changed. Sure, you can make some basic generalizations about broad strategies like scapegoating, demonization of the media and loss of due process. Those are all certainly important things to keep in mind as we move forward. Nonetheless, I think it's also important to understand what's different now. Let's consider three things that are not the same: population and demographics, instant mass communication and 200 years of democratic government. There are probably more and this is to get the discussion going on how history will not repeat itself.
In the early 1930s, Germany's population was around 67 million. Most were Germans along with a handful of minority groups. The culture was very homogeneous. That's very different from the US population of the 2020s. We are a nation of around 340 million. While the main language used here is English, there are hundreds of other languages spoken here from all over the world. There are a wide variety of different cultures here in the US: Amish, Mormons, Latino, Cajun along with dozens of immigrant communities. This only scratches the surface. Whether you agree or not is irrelevant, we are a very diverse nation. Now let's add a new layer, modern mass communication.
The days of newspapers, theater newsreels and radio news are all but gone. We now have the double-edged sword of instant mass media where anyone with a cell phone can broadcast events as they are happening. The state no longer has a monopoly on the narrative. And let's not forget ubiquitous surveillance cameras almost everywhere now. That makes it harder to hide things. Yes, we do have a mass media that has consolidated around five large corporations but let's not forget the numerous independent people and organizations reporting and commenting on news. While it is not impossible for lies to pass as truth, I think it is much more difficult now. That's why it's a good idea to not take a so-called breaking story as the truth. Be patient and check back in a day or two to get a better feel for what really happened. But that's a discussion for another time. Overturning 200 plus years of democratic government is a tall order for a four year presidential term.
The Office of the President does not have that kind of power. He or she cannot simply dissolve the legislative branch and the judicial branch. So-called executive orders are not writs of a king and can be challenged and overturned. Elections are not run by the federal government but rather the States. Gerrymandering can only get you so far and as we are now seeing can be countered by the opposing party. Texas and California are redrawing their election maps in a bid to see who controls the US House come 2026. When the Republicans lose, they will of course jump up and down crying election fraud! Unless they have actual evidence, the courts will not play along. Trump and his sad band of ghouls are becoming more and more unpopular by the day. Elections still matter, at least for now.
There are other differences as well such as Germany having to pay massive war reparations and suffering from hyperinflation. That said, the warning from history should not go unheaded. Democracies indeed can become authoritarian. The current regime is doing catastrophic damage to the US and it will take years if not decades to undo. Take heart in the mass protests we are seeing all across the country almost every weekend. Remember, democracy dies only if we choose to let it.
Friday, August 29, 2025
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Monthly Subscriptions and Other Ripoffs
The greedy by design corporations are no longer content with a one and done sale. They are always on the hunt to find new ways into our pockets. Remember these cats are legally bound to maximize profits above any other consideration. A clean environment is cool and all unless it interferes with their bottom line. Can no longer drink your water? We can sell you some! So no worries, our profits are up! Our workers can no longer afford to eat well or see a doctor, that's a sacrifice we are willing to make in the name of profit. Greed is literally built into our system. Most likely, it will get worse before it gets better. More and more things are becoming a subscription. Quality is being sacrificed on the altar of prophets. I'll share a cautionary tale. What does the future hold? A new path into our pockets has been carved, subscriptions.
Subscriptions are not a new idea. There have been newspaper and magazine subscriptions going back many many decades. There are subscriptions to almost everything now, store subscriptions, TV packages, NFL football games, our smartphones and of course internet access are all available for a low low monthly fee. Insurance premiums for health, home and auto all work on a similar plan, maybe just spread out a little more. Friends, you know it's getting bad when you have to subscribe for features in the new car you just bought. Do you really want to use those heated and cooled seats? You can for a low monthly fee. How about navigation and roadside assistance? Don't worry, the fees can be bundled into your car payment for your convenience. Now there are even apps that track your subscriptions and let you know if you are not using them. Why do I have a sinking feeling that it's another subscription? But wait! The rip offs are not done yet.
The idea of a product lasting several decades or more is over. Let's find the lowest amount of time possible between buying a new product and its replacement. $38,000 for a new car? I think that's the average price here in mid 2025. Let's make it last about 3 years. 10 or 15 years is just too long to wait for another sale. Hey, the banks make money and the car companies make money while you get more and more debt! What good is a warranty if the product is terrible to begin with by Design?
I know a full-time wheelchair user who has to have a gel cushion to prevent bed sore-like abrasions forming. He told me they used to last around a decade or so before needing to be replaced because of leaking. Fortunately for him, they had a lifetime warranty. So around every 10 years he would get a new one. This is no longer the case. Now, he's lucky if they last a year. Sure, they still have the same lifetime warranty but that's little comfort while the wheelchair user is stuck waiting for a replacement. Moving more cushions is more important. I'm sure somehow or other, these guys are getting paid to move more. I could go on and on about cars that are always in the shop (under warranty) are also a headache. I'm sure you can think of numerous other products that are not what they used to be. No, I don't want to return to the past. I just think quality is not too big of an ask.
This short-term bottom line thinking is not a long-term solution to anything. Long ago, we mastered the art of building clothes washers, refrigerators, cars and numerous other products that would last. Making everything disposable it's not only bad for the environment, it is also bad for the economy in the long run. The debt bubble will burst and as usual the poor will be the ones holding the bag. Who we vote for matters not only in politics but also with our dollars. Take some time and do your homework.
This Vid got me thinking...
Why EVERYTHING Feels Like a Scam Now
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