Random Thoughts.
This Article is a perfect metaphor for the Trump failed presidencies, both of them.
"Blue material peeling off bottom of Reflecting Pool, days after costly renovation"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/18/politics … renovationIt always seems to appear that everything and anything Donnie touches turns to sh!t…..
Who is advising the man? Did anybody bother to think about the possibility of algae bloom prior to the planned paint job.
this entire matter is coming off as dumber than rocks.
Conservatives will never admit that Trump was a mistake, a big one. But in their pride they would rather go down with a sinking ship than to acknowledge their error.
Another example of Trump being an embarrassing asshole who is so unhinged he can't keep his foul trap shut.
"In an interview with Italy’s La7 TV, Trump claimed Meloni had “begged” him for a photo at the summit, and he obliged because he felt sorry for her, according to a dubbed Italian translation posted by the outlet."
That generated this expected headline -
"Italian foreign minister cancels trip to US over Trump’s comments about Meloni"
Somehow, though, his defenders here will either be silent or will do what they normally do, defend Trump's insanity.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/19/politics … oni-tajaniIt is all part of the Trump misogynistic profile and totally out of touch with any world leader. He is not even smart enough to bother to conceal it.
It is that "to bother to conceal it" which leads me to conclude he is unhinged.
No surprise here is there. Our racist SCOTUS sides AGAINST RELIGION if it isn't Christian and White.
"Supreme Court rules against Rastafarian who sued prison officials for cutting his dreadlocks"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/23/politics … rt-opinionI saw that too, i understand that there are valid reasons to have men shave their hair in prison. But the religious exemption should have superseded all of that. Cutting that man’s hair was an unnecessary and malicious act. This Supreme right wing tribunal has no problems in allowing a Christian to complain bringing an entire bureaucracy to a halt, but it is ok to desecrate a single man and his religion if it is non-Christian.
I continue to loathe rightwingers and everything they stand for….Hence, my book.
BTW, I had ChatGPT do some research (I'll try deep research, next) to find any positive aspect of conservatism in practice in America. It found two: Nixon's EPA (now opposed by MAGA) and the other was Eisenhower's interstate highway program (which MAGA probably wouldn't fund today).
I am sure there are a couple of others.
"New polls show Americans’ complicated feelings about the country, 250 years on"
A very interesting read about how Americans feel. The chart it includes is very telling.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/25/politics … tion-pollsDamn, I thought Trump had forgotten about this huge waste of billions of tax dollars - building his virtually useless, ego-driven, vanity border wall. Next move, steal people's (mainly MAGA) land.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/25/politics … ent-domain"Supreme Court hands Trump two major immigration victories
Justice Samuel Alito wrote both opinions, also holding that TPS recipients cannot block revocation of their status" https://www.foxnews.com/politics/suprem … -victories
I was pleased to hear these rulings, and am pleased to see these long-time issues settled in the high court. In my view, our immigration laws need work, and to be clear to prevent confusion.I can understand the asylum ruling, as I understand it, because it seems the law is pretty clear. I disagree with keeping people out of America who really our help simply to stay alive. The consequence of that is more people will cross the border illegally to ask for asylum.
The TSP ruling is complete BS and is frankly inhumane, but expected from these conservatives. Why do I say that? Because those conservatives see no reason to stop Trump and his minions from arbitrarily lying and cheating in their campaign to eliminate Brown and Black immigrants from White America and taking our economy with them. The thing is, it is very likely, from my research into this, that DHS nor Trump honestly followed the law in order to terminate the TPS status of the Black Haitians and Brown Syrians. The Court simply didn't care - all they needed was for DHS to claim they followed proper procedures.
As to the gun ruling, i think that was a nothing burger. In interrogating ChatGPT about the case it seems to boil down to this:
1. Hawaii had a law that "presumed" it was illegal to carry weapons into private businesses that are open to the public unless the owners affirmatively said they could. The conservative justices said that was an unconstitutional presumption.
2. What the Court didn't say was unconstitutional is for the owners to affirmatively prohibit guns in their public establishments.
So, all mall owners, for example, have to do is post signs at each entrance saying "No Guns Allowed". (assuming state law doesn't ban them from doing that)
I agree immigration laws need fixing, but every time over the last 30 years that Democrats tried, Republicans block them (I provided specific examples in previous posts) Clearly, your side wants to make sure this remains a hot button for MAGA.Immigration Act of 1990, Title III, Section 302. This law added Section 244 to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Today, the controlling statute is codified as:
8 U.S.C. § 1254a (Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act).
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 and signed into law by George H. W. Bush.
The intent was not to create a permanent immigration path, but rather to solve a humanitarian problem.
Congress created TPS so that if a person's home country suddenly became too dangerous to return to, the U.S. government could temporarily allow those already in the United States to stay legally until conditions improved.
The law specifically lists three situations in which a country may be designated for TPS:
An ongoing armed conflict, such as a civil war, that makes returning unsafe.
A natural disaster, such as an earthquake, hurricane, or epidemic, where the country cannot adequately handle the return of its citizens.
Other extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent safe return, provided allowing people to stay is consistent with U.S. national interests.
The key word throughout the law is temporary. Congress envisioned that:
A country would be designated for a limited period (typically 6–18 months).
The Department of Homeland Security would regularly review whether conditions still justified the designation.
If conditions improved, the designation would end and beneficiaries would lose TPS unless they had another lawful immigration status.
TPS itself does not provide permanent residence or citizenship.
Those here under TSP do not have permanent status to stay. I feel that anyone here under the TSP, that are deemed here illegally should be deported. We have laws, and our laws should be enforced, as written."If conditions improved, " is the key phrase. The State Dept summary says basically no change for Haiti and I didn't read what it said about Syria.
DHS arbitrarily decided the Haitians aren't in danger any more, so send them back to fend for themselves in a murderous nation.
What the Court said was that so long as DHS found some report, reviewed it, and came to a conclusion, any conclusion, then the Court (and NOBODY else) has any reason to tell them they are wrong, regardless of how much obvious evidence they are. That is what the Court calls "deference".
In other words, Trump can do what ever he want to hurt people and nobody can do a damn thing about it.
I have to wonder how many people are now dead because of Trump's decisions.Only when he wants to - we have seen plenty of proof that if he doesn't like a law, he ignores it.
Some Prime Examples:
1. Withholding Ukraine aid after Congress specifically told him to spend it. WHY? Because Trump was pressing Ukraine to announce investigations that would benefit him politically.
2. Trying to impose voting rules by executive order. Multiple judges have declared those efforts unconstitutional.
3. Withholding or freezing funds Congress had already approved which are variations of his Ukraine violation
4. Trying to govern through “emergency” or unilateral executive authority. Many of those were shot down by courts as illegal.1. You make it sound as though Trump simply ignored Congress. What actually happened is that the administration temporarily paused the aid while conducting a policy review, believing it had the authority to do so. Before the funding expired, the money was released and Ukraine received the aid. The GAO later concluded the pause violated the law, while the administration disagreed with that conclusion. That's a legal dispute over executive authority—not evidence that Trump permanently refused to carry out Congress's appropriation.
2. Voting rules by executive order: Lower federal courts have blocked portions of the order, finding the President likely exceeded his authority. However, those rulings are being appealed, and there has not been a final Supreme Court ruling on the merits. More importantly, presidents of both parties issue executive orders that are challenged in court. Having an executive order struck down or temporarily blocked is not the same thing as "ignoring the law." It's the constitutional process of the courts deciding the limits of executive power.
3. Freezing congressionally approved funds:** This largely refers back to the https://hubpages.com/politics/forum/369 … 27#Ukraine aid issue. The administration temporarily paused the funding, arguing it had authority to conduct a policy review before releasing it. The aid was ultimately released and Ukraine received all of the congressionally appropriated funds. The GAO later issued an opinion that the pause violated the Impoundment Control Act, while the administration disagreed. There was never a final court ruling on the merits because the funds had already been released, making it inaccurate to claim this proves Trump simply "ignored the law."
4. Emergency powers:** This is not unique to Trump. Every modern president has relied on emergency or broad executive authority, and courts have often been asked to decide whether those actions exceeded presidential power.
George W. Bush:** After 9/11, Bush authorized warrantless surveillance of suspected terrorists through the NSA. The program faced numerous legal challenges, and Congress later revised surveillance laws through the FISA Amendments Act.
Barack Obama:** Obama used executive actions to create DACA after Congress failed to pass immigration reform. He also attempted to expand DACA and create DAPA by executive action. Those expansions were blocked by the courts, and the Supreme Court ultimately left the lower court's ruling in place. That didn't mean Obama was "ignoring the law"—it meant the courts concluded he had exceeded his authority.
Joe Biden:** Biden attempted to cancel hundreds of billions of dollars in student loan debt through executive authority. The Supreme Court ruled that the administration lacked authority under the HEROES Act to implement the program as proposed. Biden also used OSHA to require large employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or testing, and the Supreme Court blocked that rule.
The point is that presidents frequently test the boundaries of executive authority. Sometimes the courts uphold those actions, and sometimes they strike them down. That's how our constitutional system works. A court ruling against a president does not automatically prove the president ignored the law—it often reflects a disagreement over the scope of executive power.
Trump issued a number of executive actions and emergency declarations that were challenged in court. Some were upheld, some were partially blocked, and some were struck down."
Saying "many were shot down by courts as illegal" oversimplifies what happened because:
Some rulings were preliminary injunctions, not final decisions.
Some actions were upheld by appellate courts or the Supreme Court.
Some cases became moot when the policy expired or a new administration took office.
Obama had similar legal battles with the courts, and in some major cases his administration also lost or was blocked, just like Trump, Bush, and Biden. The pattern is actually normal across modern presidencies because executive power is constantly tested.1. You make it sound as though Trump simply ignored Congress. - [b]The GAO later concluded the pause violated the law[/b} - To say "the administration didn't agree" is like saying the sky is blue on a sunny day. They can object all they want, part of GAO's job is to make those judgements. The GAO can be believed, Trump cannot.
"2. Voting rules by executive order: Lower federal courts have blocked portions of the order, finding the President likely exceeded his authority." - TWO points - we are talking about multiple, meaning A LOT, of judges struck Trump down and I am not sure why you don't think that in America the rulings of lower courts don't count, that until appeals run out, their decision isn't valid.
#3 - same answer as #1
#4 - what makes Trump unique is his ABUSE of that power. Other presidents waited until there was a REAL emergency, not ones conjured up in Trump's mind to excuse his illegal, often inhumane actions.
Trump has had at least 80 to more than likely 150+ lower court rulings against him. Of those, maybe 2 were overturned by SCOTUS and 1 upheld. SCOTUS stayed the injunctions of around 10 while the merits played out in lower courts.
This may be a bridge too far for even this conservative Christian Court
"Texas is poised to require millions of students to study Bible stories"
It is hard to fathom the arrogance and frankly unAmerican actions of Texas. Don't they realize that America is NOT a Christian nation; it is a nation with Christian living in it. Our founders, many of them very religious, went out of their way to separate church from state.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/26/us/texas … culum-voteI saw the article.
Texas and Oklahoma suck, the Moon is more inhabitable. it was only on the Missus’ insistence that I compromised with her to come to Florida which is almost as “red” as those two states.
What is it about conservatives that want to indoctrinate children with religion, when everybody knows that no one “really” knows what is the right religion?
Separation of church and state is a linchpin in maintaining a Democratic society, what parts of the Constitution do they glaringly omit to overlook so fundamental a principle?A little less than 70 years ago I ask the same question - which version of Christianity was the right version. If I chose one, another said I was going to hell. This one defined God this way and that one defined God that way.
The Bible didn't help for after reading it cover to cover I was frankly aghast! What person, I thought in my 10-year old mind, would want to worship such a murderous ogre. So, I didn't, I was going to wait until they ended up with only one Christian faith with only one version of God and one set of rules.
Then I set out looking for an answer myself.Interesting,
I tend to lean more agnostic than anything else. There are only so many favorable circumstances as to our very existence that i can write off to coincidence before having to acknowledge a pattern. I have come to the conclusion that people have to discover the truth on their own, you can’t force people to believe anything.
In the black baptist tradition, i went to loud, vocal churches with “big shot” ministers and preachers, who sweat profusely while giving their sermons.
I don’t expect everyone to be critical thinkers, but have problems with people who don’t think critically about anything and are more than happy to do what they are told, not question the minister, etc. My late Mom kept a bible on the coffee table but never took the time to read it or ask questions as to contradictions in the Bible from the things that her minister said. I have taken the trouble to read it, most Christian faiths treat it as a smorgasbord, taking in the morsels that they like and disregarding the rest.
As a result, i learned to be skeptical and question authority and its validity, while conservatives are comfortable with doing and thinking as they are told.
I don’t think that there are ever going to be a single set of rules. There are more versions of Christianity and every other sort of faith than there are grains of sand. Whenever man gets his grubby hands on what could be a beautiful concept we see violence, bigotry and intolerance, none of which was the spirit of the scriptures themselves.
President Biden is still kicking around long after Republicans and sadly, many Democrats, have written him off. And he still speaks the TRUTH.
"Two years after their last debate, Biden jabs at Trump: ‘What a loser’"
When you tick down the list, Biden's description fits like a "T" (one of those saying that has mysterious beginnings). Consider these promises and actions:
1. Not starting any wars - He Lost
2. Iran War - He Lost
3. Bringing inflation down - He Lost
4. Bringing down prices - He Lost
5. Tariffs will bring back manufacturing - He Lost
6. Tariffs will lower trade deficits - He Lost
7. Bringing down prescription drug prices dramatically - He Lost
8. Replace Obamacare - He Lost
9. Drain the swamp (reduce corruption / elite influence) - Being the best example of corruption, He Lost.
10. Bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. (other than tariffs) — He Lost
That is a short list. Biden is right.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/28/politics … ats-speechI have made similar claims during the Covid crises.
"Why there is a lower life expectancy in Republican vs Democrat House districts"
Now there is more evidence to back that up.
"Even as health care issues rise in the 2026 campaign debate, new data show that far more House Republicans than Democrats represent districts where the most residents face major medical challenges — and lack health insurance.
An exclusive CNN analysis of data collected by the Congressional District Health Dashboard project finds that significantly more House Republicans than Democrats hold seats where an elevated proportion of residents are experiencing such significant health problems as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and deaths from cardiovascular problems or breast cancer. Likewise, many more House Republicans than Democrats now represent districts where the share of residents who are uninsured exceeds the national average.
In a powerful measure that crystallizes all these disparities, results from the dashboard show that nearly 70% of House Democrats represent districts where life expectancy now exceeds the national average — while life expectancy lags below the national average in over 70% of Republican seats.
These stark disparities provide a dramatic backdrop for the escalating campaign confrontations over health care. In their 2026 messaging, Democrats and their allied groups are aggressively condemning the Republican moves last year to cut Medicaid in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and to allow the expiration of enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act."
It is self-evident that the OBUB will end up shortening the lives of millions of Americans - ironically, mostly Republican.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/28/politics … expectancyNow NO ONE can deny Donald "the Felon" Trump isn't a SEXUAL PREDATOR.
"Supreme Court declines to hear Trump appeal of E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse verdict"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/29/politics … reme-courtThe Supreme Court did not rule on whether Trump was guilty or innocent of the allegations.
Instead, it simply decided not to review the lower courts' decisions.Reasonable people understand that by refusing to take the case, they agreed with the verdict.
Trump claimed the jurors were misled because of evidence of his past misdeeds was allowed in, the Court disagreed. Conclusion, the jurors were NOT misled and came to a just verdict. (Just too bad it wasn't criminal)Reasonable people would not read into the ruling one way or the other and simply look at the fact: the court decided not to entertain the case.
The question still remains - Why did they do it? I want to know, even though you may not.
I am not sure if the Justices will share their thoughts on why they passed over the case. There were no dissents; we don't even know whether the vote was 9-0, 8-1, 7-2, or something else. We only know that fewer than four justices voted to take the case, because it takes four votes to grant Supreme Court review.
This leaves me to speculate, but we simply don't know the Court's reasoning. Some legal commentators have suggested the justices may have concluded that the lower courts correctly applied existing law and that the appeal did not present a sufficiently important legal issue for Supreme Court review. Others think the Court may have felt there was no conflict among lower courts that required its intervention. But those are informed opinions, not facts.
One thing that surprised me is that not even the three justices appointed by Trump publicly dissented from the denial. That doesn't necessarily mean they agreed with the lower court's decision; it only tells us they did not publicly argue that the Supreme Court should hear the case.Whether they share or not is beside the point in my opinion. The question remains, why did they do it, especially with no known dissents. All their silence means is that one must look elsewhere to suss out a reason.
One of those indicators is that this Court, unlike any other in recent memory, has no problem ignoring the text of the Constitution when they feel it necessary to take political rational into consideration. The conclusion I can draw from that is that if one or more of the Justices felt Trump was wrongly convicted, it is likely they would have said so.
I think the most likely answer is in your second to last paragraph "Others think the Court may have felt there was no conflict among lower courts that required its intervention."
Because of, Trump, the gutless Republican Congress, and a far-right SCOTUS this so-called celebration feels more like a wake. They can stand tall and review the destruction to American values, American democracy, American culture, and our very weakened standing in the world.
The ONLY reason democratic nations around the world work with us comes from the fear of what a crazy man with a nuke might do. I can hear the signers and founders turning over in their graves right now.
Anointed by SCOTUS ALL HAIL TO KING TRUMP
"The Declaration of Independence: Annotated 250 years later — during the Trump era""
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2026/06 … d-250-vis/Hot off the presses,
“ Court rejects Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship”
Who is always telling me that Conservative jurists are always based on theConstitution”s original intent” and liberals legislate from the bench. The Righties of the Court got their a$$es kicked today and I am delighted.It is clear they ignored the text let their fear of Brown people being born here override their legal judgement.
Not surprised that you are once again cheering for China.
First, that is what is called in America as a non-sequitur.
Second, your view is clouded. It is Trump who is cheering for China ... and Russia.
"Supreme Court lifts Watergate-era caps on campaign spending"
Why do the conservatives want to inject more corruption into America's electoral system?
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics … reme-court"Takeaways from the Supreme Court’s rebuke of Trump on birthright citizenship"
One clear takeaway is that three "Justices" don't believe in the Constitution. In part of their descent is that the TEXT of the Constitution has no meaning to them if it leads to an outcome they do not like. Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch clearly elevated feared outcomes over the text, precedent, and settled understanding of birthright citizenship
If they say they are textualist, you know they are lying.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics … hip-barelyThankfully, we have something pleasant to think about other than how Trump is turning our 250th into a political rally for himself.
"Sorry, America. It’s Taylor Swift’s weekend now"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/01/entertai … ng-weekend
"How Trump’s takeover fractured America’s birthday party"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/27/politics … 0-divisionMAGA must be so damn proud they elected the most CORRUPT man in America.
"Trump made more than a billion dollars from cryptocurrency ventures in first year back in office"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics … isclosures"Soaring revenue at Mar-a-Lago shows how Trump’s business interests and politics intersect"
I, for one, do not have a problem with a president, even this one, earning lots of money while president. What I do mind is if they are incentivized to change or make policy to get it. In this case, I asked ChatGPT for red flags:
1. Trump profited massively from an industry his administration was deregulating
2. DOJ dismantled crypto-enforcement capacity while Trump-linked crypto ventures were generating huge income
3. World Liberty Financial appears central to both the money and the policy conflict[/b] Please don't give me any BS that Trump doesn't have a strong influence through his two sons - no reasonable person would believe it.
4. The UAE-linked $500 million World Liberty deal is the sharpest foreign-policy red flag
5. Stablecoin/Binance-related transactions create another policy-money overlap
6. The structure let Trump capture upside while others bore much of the risk
7. Trump did not use a blind trust, so policy and profit remained entangled
As always, I can provide more detail and sources for those self-evident indicators of self-dealing. Just ask.
This just supports my claim that Trump is the most CORRUPT politician this nation has known.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/01/us/trump … ncome-invs"OpenAI in talks to give Trump administration a 5% stake in the company, FT reports"
As a liberal capitalist, I am absolutely opposed to the federal gov't buying "stakes" in private companies, it is too much like socialism. I would think REAL conservatives would be opposed for the same reason.
But it appears MAGA conservatives think it is a great idea.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/02/business … stake-intlInteresting point, ESO, conservatives Republicans turn full circle. The federal government buying stakes in companies is an idea that is fraught with corruption through and through.
Add this on to the stubborn persistence of Trumpers who lost trying to change birthright citizenship along with rumblings from them now wanting to repeal the 17th amendment over frustrations that their disenfranchisement bill wont see the light of day, is all the more reason to see them all gone as soon as possible.I think you meant the 14th amendment.
Did you read that as a result, right-wing media is suggesting that all pregnant women be barred from entering the US? OMG!!!
https://truthout.org/articles/trump-aid … ip-ruling/Yes, i have heard of this draconian proposal by the Rightwinger mad-men. It is so ridiculous to not be worth a comment.
I got this snippet from an Atlantic Article, which is supporting what i have been saying for some time
——-
By design, U.S. law makes it extremely difficult, often impossible, for undocumented parents in the United States to gain legal status based on a child’s citizenship. And studies have shown that the primary incentive for irregular migration is jobs for the parents, not birthright citizenship for their children. That is why the rate of such migration drops precipitously during U.S. recessions. Moreover, European countries do not have birthright citizenship, yet they also struggle with waves of immigrants fleeing violence and poverty for a better life.
If the government truly wanted to deter undocumented immigrants, it would crack down on the many thousands of U.S. citizens and corporations that violate immigration law by hiring them. Yet no administration, Republican or Democrat, has made a serious effort to enforce immigration law against U.S. employers of undocumented immigrants. The few times that Trump briefly attempted broader enforcement—for example, by targeting Wisconsin dairy farms, whose workforce is roughly 70 percent undocumented—he faced significant pushback from his own supporters. Far from deporting those workers and penalizing their employers, Trump is allowing this—he is expected to announce a special guest-worker program just for these dairy farmers (the majority of whom happen to be Trump supporters) in the coming weeks.
——
Two-faced? So, in truth what is that the conservatives regarding this issue, really want?Birther tourism is just another imaginary villian cooked up in conservative minds. I doubt it will catch on, however, because it is too hard to pronounce, lol.
"If the government truly wanted to deter undocumented immigrants, it would crack down on the many thousands of U.S. citizens and corporations that violate immigration law by hiring them."
Lot of truth here; government has ALWAYS had a large contingent of members that welcome illegals into the country. It has NEVER, as a group, been united in enforcing our immigration laws.
Until Trump. You are wrong about the efforts there, such as the Dairy group. We have always had those that want illegal (cheap) illegal slave labor...for ourselves. Not for others, but those losing that cheap labor did not like it. The rest of the conservative country was cheering. Liberals country wide, no, but the conservatives did.
So yes, two faced all the way. What else is new about our political arena?It would be nice if we focused more on the demand side of this equation as the excerpt spoke more about the attraction of undocumented for employment and economic survival over the “anchor baby” stuff.
If this administration put as much effort in penalizing those that hire them as it does in building bigger fences the attraction for coming here might just wane a bit.
I see conservatives, while cackling about illegal immigration, being disingenuous about assaulting the problem when their bedfellows are knee deep in it.
You indicated two models of conservative, those that are quiet because they profit and the others as actual xenophobes. It has been always hard to distinguish them as they all come out the same in the wash for me. But, It is obvious which brand of conservatism Trump is supporting.Hell, I welcome illegals into America, history shows it only benefits us in the long run.
Among other benefits, it brings down are crime rate because the more law abiding illegal immigrants increase the denominator by which the crime rate is measured without increasing the numerator as much.
Anther thing - it is an economic fact: More Population = Higher GDP, even on a per capita basis.
Why does your side continually shoot down any immigration reform law that has been proposed in the last 30 years?
Please don't try to defend the Republican point of view on this issue since they are the real problem.
Is Anybody really surprised?
"Trump-backed organizer of America’s 250th birthday events may have duped donors, report from House Democrats alleges"
"Donors who intended to support a bipartisan nonprofit that’s organizing celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary were allegedly redirected — without their knowledge — to a separate nonprofit behind events being promoted by President Donald Trump, according to a report from a group of House Democrats, citing confidential, unnamed sources.
The interim report, compiled by Democratic staff on the House Natural Resources Committee, includes accounts from unnamed sources about donors who wanted to give to the America250 nonprofit, which is overseen by a bipartisan congressional commission, being given incorrect wire instructions so that their money would flow to the Trump-backed Freedom 250.
“A gift solicited in the name of the nation’s nonpartisan birthday commission could thus be redirected without the donor’s knowledge, by an entity created to serve the President’s priorities,” the report said.
If true, the actions could constitute “potential wire fraud and charitable solicitation fraud,” according to the report, which doesn’t detail how much money was diverted, if at all."
Before you complain about "unnamed" sources, may I remind you that most of what the other side posts is also from unnamed sources.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/02/politics … ats-reportI wish the best of luck to this courageous AF officer, Major Jason Watson, for standing up and saying what most reasonable people would like to see happen.
"US service member arrested at Capitol after calling for Trump’s impeachment"
If you feel compelled to lash at me for supporting someone breaking the law, preface by acknowledging your complicity in backing a convicted felon and sexual predator. If you don't then you are declaring yourself not serious in your disparagement of me.
I suspect Watson will be courts martialed because he did violate the UCMJ but he apparently thought the sacrifice was worth the message.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/02/politics … mpeachment"Tricorn hats or Trump rally? Americans have July Fourth options"
So many Americans are staying home tomorrow physically and mentally worn out from Trump's war with American ideals.
They include once proud federal workers so demoralized by Trump that they lost the will to celebrate who allowed their lives to be destroyed.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/03/us/feder … -250-anger
Or For these colonial reenactors, this July 4th is a bit meh
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/03/travel/v … ent-digvid
The majority of Americans are no longer extremely proud to be an American, a record low since 2001. Even 30% of Republicans no longer feel that way today.
"When Gallup first asked this question in 2001, 55% of U.S. adults were extremely proud to be American. Pride surged after 9/11, with 65% to 70% of Americans expressing extreme pride through 2004. Extreme pride declined after that but held at majority levels through 2017. Since 2018, no more than 47% of U.S. adults have said they are extremely proud. The latest figure, from a June 1-15 poll, is down eight percentage points from last year and is tied for the largest year-over-year change in the trend, along with 2004-2005.
This partisan divide persists and has been larger the past two years with Republican Donald Trump as president. Currently, 70% of Republicans, 28% of independents and 14% of Democrats say they are extremely proud to be American. Extreme pride has edged down seven points since last year among Republicans and six points among Democrats, but it is not statistically lower among independents.
Democrats’ and independents’ pride levels are at new low points for their respective groups. "
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/02/us/america-250-vibes-cec
https://news.gallup.com/poll/711938/ame … d-low.aspx
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/03/politics … p-analysis
For me, even though I am now embarrassed to be an American because of King Trump has done to us, I will still hold our family fireworks display in the backyard - no need to let Trump ruin it for our grand and great-grandkids.
I can't wait until 2029 when we have a Democratic president who will start the long road to regaining respect around the world.A Random thought ...
As I watch the Fox News build-up to the July 4th weekend ...
I am proud to be an American. I am proud that our nation has survived. I am proud that we can elect an Obama and a Trump.
I am proud that we (its people) are one of the most charitable nations on the planet.
Just saying ...
GAWell said! It is a great country even if not perfect. There is none better.
At this moment, while Trump is president, Canada is.
Later this month I am taking a cruise to the Mediterranean, Because of Trump, I and my wife don't feel safe. In fact, a couple we met on another cruise cancelled the same cruise itinerary, but the one before ours, because of fear for their safety from the world turmoil Trump has caused.Our opinions differ on Canada.
I could be leery of a Mediterranean cruise, too. We canceled one to the Baltic a few years ago because of the war; seems reasonable to be concerned about another war. Of course, I have for a long time refused to consider visiting the Near East because of the whackos living there.
Trump's fault, no doubt.
So you don't agree with the demise of USDA and all the death that has caused. Good for yoy.
You make a lot of presumptions.
I do agree with the demise of nation-level racism—to the point that a Black man won the office of the presidency.
I also think our Constitution is working as intended.
Warts or beauty marks?
This weekend I'm seeing beauty marks.
GAFunny that all those Dems that have sucked off the American teat all of years cannot see those beauty marks. Even when all of the world cup visitors point out how great things are in your country over a third of Democrats are not proud of America, at least according to their own network CNN.
A random thought on July 4th.
Still proud to be an American. Still proud of America.
This morning's Smerconish show offered a thought:
Polls say 2/3 of the world now views the U.S. negatively. Smerconish pointed to the World Cup visitors' viral positive responses. Surprised because America and Americans weren't the orgre their media had portrayed.
The media shows the world Washington and calls it America; Americans show the real America — and our world visitors are praising the difference.
World Cup Visitors React to America
Just saying ...
GADamn and double damn. What a way to start this day.
71 minutes watching the shorts in the post.
Yep, proud to be American.
Check out this Brit's declaration:
GAWell, i don’t know if one declaration by one man regarding a single event is representative of what is going on in this country generally.
Looking at the tragedies and triumphs and the success and failures of 2 and 1/2 centuries, i have always gave America the benefit of the doubt as those shortcomings were recognized and being addressed in an overall national objective. That has not been true since January 20, 2025. I am proud of the foundations of the principles of equality and the rule of law which this society has not adhered to in an ideal way, but was moving in fits and starts in the right direction, UNTIL NOW. With this administration (Trump), there is that word again, those foundation principles that gave me reason to be prideful are disappearing. Nothing to be proud about there. Until Trump and his operatives are removed from office and the stench, aura associated with his agenda that has well contributed to our current divisions are eliminated, there will not be much left to be proud of……..
Regardless, happy 4th, back to my grilling…..I'm like you, I am proud of the America it attempted to become. I am not proud of the America that Trump and MAGA have turned it into.
When a President does his best to run down the country to the world what else can we expect from foreign media? Obama was great at that and we're still fighting the results of his negativism.
Please tell the truth rather than conservative myths. It is Trump's ACTIONS that is running down America.
If you can get past the firewall, this analysis tends to support your point, just from a different angle.
The fact is that international visitors for the world cup are down significantly from expectations. Further, tourism in America is way down. For example, the April report by the National Travel and Tourism Office shows a 14% decline, year over year.
On the other hand, after the effects of Covid wore off, international tourism was up 9.4% from 2023 to 2024.
This article explains the World Cup excitement, but for other reasons than you suggest.
"America held a big birthday party — and a soccer extravaganza broke out"
https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/04/politics … 4-analysis
Why is the pregnant woman such an OMG thing? Foreign citizens have found an unintended loophole in our legal structure and are exploiting it to the max. We should not even take the first step in stopping the abuse? Just let the world take advantage forever?
Are you REALLY that paranoid of the "Other" to not see what is wrong with that policy besides solving a problem that doesn't exist?
What happens when Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) no longer has Donald Trump as its focal point? Three years from now, when he's no longer in office, will Americans finally step back and honestly evaluate what has happened over the past decade?
Will we be able to focus on the real challenges facing our country instead of being consumed by one political figure? Some of those challenges are the very issues Trump said he was trying to address.
Will we recognize how far our political and cultural landscape has shifted? Will we acknowledge that ideas rooted in socialism, and, some would argue, even aspects of communism, have gained more acceptance than many Americans ever imagined?
Perhaps after Trump, we'll have a clearer perspective. Maybe we'll realize that our intense focus on either supporting or opposing one man distracted us from larger issues and allowed ideologies that conflict with America's founding values of individual liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility to gain ground.
Whether you supported Trump or not, the bigger question is this: What kind of country do we want to leave to the next generation?Sharlee, doesn't it make sense to you that if Trump were actually helping the country as opposed to destroying it like he is and stop being as corrupt as he is, that your fake TDS wouldn't exist?
If Trump were the only issue, then why were many of the same people protesting him before he even took office in 2017? "TDS" isn't about disagreeing with Trump—it's about the inability to judge anything involving him objectively. If every success is dismissed and every problem is blamed on one man, that's not critical thinking. My post isn't really about Trump; it's about whether Americans will be able to focus on the country's long-term challenges instead of one individual.
Don't you think it was Trump's violent angry, racist, misogynic, Islamophobic, homophobic crude rhetoric that those people were reacting to?
As to not about Trump, didn't you start with "What happens when Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) no longer has Donald Trump as its focal point? "? You could have fooled me that it wasn't about Trump.
You also keep presuming TDS is a real thing - it is not, it is made up to explain why people are so legitimately upset with Trump.
To be honest, TDS actually applies to you and the rest of MAGA. It stands for Trump Devotion Syndrome defined as "Blind loyalty to Trump regardless of facts" That, in fact, reflects reality.
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