PJM can’t cut it.

(Click here)

The wind turbines and solar arrays are vital to the energy grid. PJM serves some of the highest energy demands in the country. That really isn’t as much the problem except when that grid is facing the highest heating temperatures in the country. Combine the two and people need to move to cooling centers as a real answer to a deadly heat bubble.

Trump frames moves as partisan targeting ahead of elections.

There is a lot going on with Trump's efforts to derail the 2026 Midterms. A lot. This is just one aspect of it all. 

When an agency director sends out blanket letters to state Attorney Generals it is because they don't know what they are talking about and they are trying a scare tactic to lead to real hardship for voters before the elections. This attack on New York State is simply the beginning. Voters need to remember Ms. James has been assaulted over and over by illegal tactics by Trump and his is just another attempt. She is a first rate Attorney General and she will come out on top with Trump paying not only for Medicaid, but, the interest payments on the money New York State will borrow to fill in the gap. 

May 23, 2026

By Bill Hammond

...As a two-term incumbent Democrat (click here) in a thoroughly blue state, James might get away with ducking her political opponent’s questions.
But she can’t evade the review recently ordered by the inspector general of the US Department of Health and Human Services, T. March Bell — not, at least, without putting federal aid in jeopardy.
“Noncompliance with your MFCU obligations can take your State’s entire Medicaid program out of compliance,” Bell warned in a May 13 letter to attorneys general nationwide.
“This means your failure to do your job as head of the MFCU has put all of your State’s Medicaid funds in jeopardy.”
One way or another, James will have to defend — or at least explain — the underwhelming performance of her anti-fraud unit, and that should be interesting to watch.
Federal statistics over the past five years show that New York’s MFCU logged almost 3,000 investigations for fraud, abuse and neglect, which was the sixth-highest number in the country....

This isn't his only attempt to derail the vote in 2026. We all know about the fact mail in ballots are now protected by law. What that means to the lawless is anyone's guess.

Recognize this one? The words are in English as is the entire of the USA Constitution and the words in this paragraph are very, very clear. It doesn't matter how clear the words are the Republicans like to twist words into new meanings. It is just that there aren't that many technical words in this paragraph to twist. It is different than the measure of replacing the leadership of independent agencies. 

Let me ask this? Why bother having independent agencies if they aren't completely independent, but, instead lead by political appointees. That is what will happen here. The leadership of independent agencies will be replaced depending on the party in the White House. The question is will the appointees have to pass through Congress as any other Secretary of the Cabinet does? 

Answer?

No. It is a matter of firing the individual and hiring a crony. Once the person is fired I suppose they can sue to show good cause, but, until that works through the court the merry-go-round of a Banana Republican will occur. Even then it becomes a matter of financial consideration unless the plaintiff demands to be put back on the job and the judge does so.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Then there is this mess about National Security declassification of everything. Remember now, this is the Republican playbook. They put a bozo in charge of National Security for this very reason. Bill Pulte doesn't know the first thing about declassification so he will look for items that may be politically juicy. See, the MAGA crowd are like Pavlov's dogs, they salivate at the opportunity to twist words and lie about everything to create a story. You know. The story then grows into an independent agency controlled by Trump like the Unidentified Flying Object Commission. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday (click here) said he told his new acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte that he wants him to “declassify almost everything” while he’s in the role....

I cannot believe we are spending money on UFOs. Did you see the interview the New York Times did with Steven Spielberg about his latest movie about aliens. I loved that interview. One of the questions posed to Spielberg was whether he actually had information about aliens so that he cast them as they are, the bubble heads with big eyes (my description not in the interview). The point being that every movie made about aliens seem to have them all looking like Spielberg's creation.

The great Steven Spielberg said he reads everything he can get his hands on when putting a movie together for the sake of authenticity, but, there was no classified documents that dictated the look of his alien creatures.

They haven't found the remains of Jesus either, but, that is because of his risen status at Easter. Questionably they found Noah's Arch. Not the one that is manmade in Tennessee. It's Tennessee, right? Supposedly there is one on top of a remote mountain somewhere. I am not really into that mess. I figure if God wanted me to know more about his creation he'd make it plan and not keep up guessing about the facts in the Bible. 

They didn't put all the books in the Bible either. They left a lot out. It makes ya wonder, ya know?

But, the purpose here is that all the bizarre power plays that can occur will occur with Trump in the White House. He has it timed pretty good. This is July and the elections are three months away, just about the time it takes for things to make their way through the courts before it makes headlines in the media.

Question: Does anyone know if Truth Social actually has the truth about the citizenship issue?

The citizenship issue is almost as though Trump is trying to somehow cleanse his soul of wrong doing. He profited immensely by allowing Putin to send Russian women to his hotels for BIRTH TOURISM. I can't help but wonder if there isn't some kind of weird thing going on with all this grandstanding and political hacking of the Supreme Court. A uniquely Trump spiritual cleansing or something.

But, what about that $2 billion US in profits, huh? I suppose he is giving it all to charity, right? You know, Trump and Melania have their own cryptocurrency. Is it just a fundraiser to replace Medicaid?

Who can blame him about his enormous gift from some emir? The current jet that the USA proudly sends their presidents in is 30 years old. I suppose even with it's immaculate care there is some degree of style and wonder when entertaining in midair. I mean it may not have a state of the art beverage refrigerator. The standard these days is at least 68 can occupancy.

But, all this legal bullshit is just a spillover from Texas trial of demonstrators as terrorists. I mean the gun discharge is way over the top, but, it is Texas. Some of that flash-bang is expected at a Texas demonstration against inhuman treatment of human beings. I fully expect all the cases to be appealed so a reasonable course of action can be found. 

The prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment is enshrined in the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted”. This clause limits both pretrial and post-conviction penalties, ensuring that punishments are not unduly severe or arbitrary

I would treat all Trump's mess as political fodder unless otherwise noted.

Don't worry. Be happy. The winds of change are on their way.

What is it costing?

We Pay these people. Trump, nine justices, the lawyers, the building, etc. What is it costing for Trump to assail the USA Constitution?

But, but, but not Lisa Cook.

The USA Constitution does not mention the Federal Reserve. It does provide Congress with the responsibility for the coinage of the country. It implicates the Federal Reserve created in 1913 is outside the reach of the Executive Branch.

The Congress shall (click here) have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;...

June 29, 2026
By Lawrence Hurley 

The Supreme Court (click here) on Monday delivered a setback to President Donald Trump, rejecting his attempt to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, while in a separate case giving him a freer hand to exert control over other hitherto independent federal agencies....

It really makes no sense now to have independent federal agencies if they are not part of the checks and balances of the government. I think it relates to the ravages of DOGE. Just get rid of federal authority that inhibits greed and unethical conduct. 

There is a "thing" about the federal agencies the Republicans do not like. The federal agencies within and without the government has power to levy fines and collect them. Where that power falls apart is the fines are often a result of regulation without a court proceedings. There is the argument any and all fines should be granted or not of the federal government through the courts. I think that is the ideology the conservative judges are acting on outside the case of Lisa Cook. I also believe it is a very weak ideology as it is highly unethical when the USA Congress gave the agencies the power to levy fines on their behalf. When fines and judgements have to go through the courts to be enforced it takes time away from the protections of the public. It creates uncertainty in the federal authority. The agencies can act to apply federal regulations without the ability to enforce the penalties that enforce the law.

Here again stare decisis is sacrificed by the Robert's Court. It is a very bad habit of this court to disregard the importance of the authorities legislated to protect the public and ensure rights are upheld.

The decision today is more than about the money. It validates the assault.

It was sexual assault. Privilege. Trump believes no different than the other patrons of the Epstein network he is privileged and can do as he pleases with impunity.

"Just take it."

June 29, 2026

By Alison Durkee

The Supreme Court (click here) issued an order Monday saying it would not take up Trump’s appeal of the ruling in Carroll’s favor, but did not explain its decision at all or give any indication of whether any justices would have taken it up.

A jury ruled in Carroll’s favor in 2023, finding Trump abused Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s and then defamed her when she went public with the allegations, though it declined to find him liable for rape.

That verdict was then upheld by an appeals court, which Trump asked the Supreme Court to reconsider, claiming Carroll’s claims against Trump were “implausible” and “politically motivated.”

The Supreme Court’s decision not to take up the case means Trump will have to pay Carroll the $5 million the jury awarded her in the case, as well as interest that has accrued on the judgment.

The case is separate from Carroll’s other defamation case against Trump, in which she was awarded $83.3 million for Trump defaming her, though the president has suggested he could also ask the high court to take up that case after an appeals court upheld the ruling.

Trump’s legal team decried the Carroll case as a “witch hunt” Monday and said in a statement the president “will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare.”...

How fantastic is this?

 The first woman Speaker of the House has carried a burden in this democracy not asked of other speakers. This is wonderful news. We will always have her wisdom and insight through the work laid down by her institution of democracy. 

(click here)

A nonpartisan academic initiative led by UC Berkeley and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi aims to bolster democracy through research, education, and public engagement. The Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy, launching in January and anchored in Berkeley’s political science department, will pursue four pillars: strengthening democratic institutions, addressing societal and planetary challenges, promoting civil rights, and ensuring inclusive political leadership. Pelosi will contribute academically by co-teaching a Congress course as she shifts into retirement....

This is what my friends and I discuss.

 

Military Generals do not serve at the pleasure of the president!

(Click here)

Hegseth spends billions of dollars on a strike against the Houthis as a trigger point for a conflict with Iran.

After the strike against the Houthis, Hegseth openly stated there were no commercial ships passing through the waters that were the focus of the unclassified “Signal” chat of classified material. Hegseth stated he placed military vessels on the waters in question. So after billions of USA taxpayer dollars being spent and an attack on Houthis Hegseth has no exit strategy. It was an attack on Houthis that are basically Iranians to put in place the USA military for a protracted length of time.

When asked to explain the firings of eight military generals he states they serve at the pleasure of the president. Since when? 

Generals EARN their rank first and foremost. They can achieve appointments that are political in nature regardless of the fact they should not be. Those appointments such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff are permanent appointments even after the civilian in the White House is replaced. 

Every accusation of generals dismissed from their office requires a reason. Such as disclosing classified material on an unclassified commercial channel while a military attack is about to be launched or is in progress. It is called treason. 

So, Hegseth removed generals from their assignments without reason because Trump was afraid they might challenge Trump’s guaranteed incompetence and demands of retribution.

Basically, the Generals weren’t going to engage in illegal orders or illegal wars. And why would that be? Let me guess. Because they would not stand by while American soldiers and assets were used for illegal purposes and deaths would occur.

That is racketeering. Plain and simple.

Generals were discharged for the purpose of breaking laws both domestic and international. 

And why would that be?

Because, according to the illegal Secretary of War (as there is no such office), the strike was successful. The question is successful at what? There is no exit strategy. There is no battle plan. There is no declared war. The entire operation is illegal and without purpose except to tick off Iran.

They don’t get it.

Trump and his minions are trying to obtain control that is primarily a world view dreamscape. 

It is never going to be okay. They don’t understand that. They drank the power cooler-aide a long time ago and it has been festering in their gut for decades. Now. It should be easy to carry out their ideology of perfection, but, never get there. 

They have mental health issues.

 

Hegseth cannot arbitrarily remove rank.

(Click here)

When does all the underhanded racketeering stop?

It is obvious, isn’t it?

Hegseth wants his own holy people running the military.

GET ON YOUR KNEES AND BEG! 

NOW!

What a bunch of jerks.

I guess all Hegseth’s blundering is because he is displeasing to his gods. 

One of the reasons Trump and his minions don’t care about errors and recklessness causing death is because it is a gift to the departed souls. Congratulations, now joining the USA military is a leg up to heaven. 

This is the military the USA helped built.

(Click here)

The people who are soldiers for this country are perfect. They live the safety and security of every person in this country. They cannot be taken for granted or treated as disposable. They are perfect, valuable, and ours. They deserve the loyalty of this country to protect them from a despot president and irresponsible Congress. 

We built the strength of our allies as well as ours. I’ve had enough of the bragging as if the Trump White House has the best outcomes for every other country in the world. They are already perfect. He has added nothing to the free world except trouble.

Appreciate the human beings that put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.

Did the authorities in Oman ask for help?

Yesterday a ship was hit by an explosive device in the Strait of Hormuz. The reports I read stated it was fired from Oman. I am fairly certain that was not the Oman government carrying out an aggressive act of terror. 

However.

It is up to Oman to investigate and seek out the reason for the explosion and whom carried it out. Oman is a very wealthy country quite able to carry out its own interventions for events gone wrong.

It is not the business of the USA to police every incident in the world. The only way the USA should carry out any missile strike is if an ally requests assistance.

Diabolical.

(Click here)

Wow.

Trump is a criminal and the Republicans consent to it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in office.

Basically, what Michael Steel points out is a question of the Postmaster by Senator Peters of Michigan regarding Mail in voting. 

Trump ordered a national data base of voters to be accumulated. One has to wonder why, but, knowing Trump there is only one reason and that is micromanaging control of the American people. Be it fear or anger or secret illegal executive orders Donald wants control over every person in the USA. 

Voting is the states responsibility. It is their responsibility to be sure voting is accessible to every American that wants to cast a legal vote during elections. What Trump’s illegal executive order stated was that if an American’s name is on his list their mail in vote would be seized by the people at the USA Post Office. 

Donald sat in the Oval Office and wrote an order to interfere with the smooth delivery of the USA Mail. It is highly illegal. Not even the president of the country has a right to interfere with mail delivery. 

Trump is a criminal. Plain and simple.

LaGuaire and Caracas, Venezuela

Granted the video I am watching is about the collapse of high rise apartments so the entire of the effected area is not clear. All the damaged buildings are not safe. They are not earthquake resistant and cannot be trusted.

Basically, there needs to be a quick assessment of what is left standing that remains intact and safe. The area should be evacuated of the survivors. There is nothing to say the search and rescue shouldu in  end, but, it needs to be conducted safely.

The survivors of this earthquake that may have lost everything need safe shelter, food, water, and medical care. Without water and sanitation the area can become dangerous to otherwise healthy people.

I don’t see how a water supply is safe at this point.

Excuse me?

(Click here)

Our allies are spending more on their national defense and Trump is credited with that? Isn’t it sad that Donald John Trump sent allies trembling home with a message of threat and in return our allies began spending more while worried about the threats the Trump White House makes to them about their own sovereignty. All this while Putin and Hegseth are breathing down their necks. It is sickening to hear how Donald John Trump is credited with escalation in spending by allies. That is not a silver lining, it is a warning.

So. 

The allies are bolstering their militaries. So is Trump. At least he is hoping when Hegseth gets finished lying to the USA Senate about what the USA Defense Department also known as The Hegseth War Department needs to carry out the take over of Greenland and continued invasion to South America there will be at the very least $1.4 Trillion to racketeer the military industrial complex. 

I cannot believe the USA Senate has to hear from Hegseth what the “spending” side of the military budget looks like after nearly doubling the cost to the national debt. They don’t know? Or. Do they simply want to make sure the GOP is getting their fair share of $1.4 trillion to take home (both literally and figuratively) as they need to know where to direct their stock portfolios.

DO NOT REARM TRUMP!

The American people have witnessed genocide with their DEFENSE DEPARTMENT in the Middle East. The American people have experienced a collapse of the financial stability of their lives because Trump has dropped bombs and killed children where it was never necessary in the first place. Trump carries out assassination in direct violation of USA policies and directives. Trump has destroyed more jets than any modern day President in history. He has killed his own military personnel as their jets were turned into fireballs. 

There is absolutely no justification for spending money PERIOD on a military not controlled through a war powers act and a Congress that lives in political terror of their own party leader. The violence permitted with taxpayer dollars is NOT SANCTIONED by the people and there is no fucking way Pete Hegseth should be trusted in spending one USA dollar on a single bullet yet alone $1.4 trillion on a military that threatens the people through their own national guard and on allies by redrawing sovereign boundaries. 

There is a lot to be corrected of the path of this administration before another single PENNY is spent on a military clearly out of control and a danger to the very soldiers that are irreplaceable.

Hell, no!

Mirror Pools

That is what a reflecting pool is, a mirror to the monuments and buildings surrounding it. There are many, many mirror pools in the world, France, Iraq, India, and Brazil. There are other such mirror pools in the USA as in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, California, and New York. Perhaps a compare and contrast of those sites may reveal important aspects of solving the problems with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. 

I think events are taking shape.

The issues with Israel and the partnerships it is developing in the region, primarily with Lebanon are going to have a rough day from time to time. Israel has to build the expertise and loyal understanding with the Lebanese military troops about maintaining sovereign control over terrorist elements. 

The same degree of uncertainty exists with Iran and its need for control over its sovereign waters and borders. The Iranian military may or may not understand sovereignty in the way the United Nations and Oman does, but, that is also a matter of building expertise.

I have confidence the regional leaders will be communicating with Iran about expectations of their developing partnerships. The United Nations can play an invaluable role in putting together a council for the Persian Gulf countries and their sponsors in economic development. Perhaps a name such as, The Persian Gulf Arabian Council on Economic Development. I think it is a catchy title.

But, overall the tensions in the region are moving for the best outcomes. I am fairly certain all citizens in the region welcome peace, the promise of prosperity, and a new understanding of the appreciation of the future for their children.

I look forward to good news of the building of understanding and respect among the regional countries.

This is progress.

It is time Israel put away it's anxiety over others and allow friendships to grow and partnerships to take place. Partnering with the Lebanese military is the right thing to do. The military does not want terrorist organizations occupying their country. Becoming allies to end such problems is the best way forward.

24 June 2026

Talks between Israel and Lebanon (click here) include discussion of a US-backed proposal for Israeli forces to hand over some of the territory they have invaded during the war with Hezbollah to the Lebanese military, according to Israeli and Lebanese officials.
The Israeli officials said the Lebanese troops involved would undergo US training and vetting to ensure they are not linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Israel would maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the border.
The proposed "pilot" project is being discussed in the latest round of talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials, which got underway in Washington on Tuesday.
Rejected by Hezbollah, this diplomatic track has been overshadowed as Tehran has made Lebanon a focal point of its negotiations with the US....

A joint peace initiative with anticipations of handing control back to the Lebanon military is the best way forward and a remarkable accomplishment. Unfortunately, these dynamics are all backwards and upside down. Negotiations with Hezbollah has been necessary because they asserted power over the Lebanese government including a political party that adversely effects the outcomes of Lebanon. 

The Iran-backed Shiite militia (click here) was considered the most powerful...

...non-state armed group...

...in the Middle East. A 2024 Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah considerably weakened the group, though it is now involved in the war brewing between the United States and Israel against Iran....

The only negotiations for peace should be between Lebanon and Israel with a clear understanding Lebanon does not sanction the violence carried out by Hezbollah. There is a lot wrong with a non-state group armed and experienced in terrorism. The Iranian government cannot expect sovereign countries such as Lebanon to tolerate terrorists within it's borders. Iran is wrong in asserting it's sovereign authority within the borders of countries like Lebanon. 

The Shi'ites and their religious freedom should be welcomed in all countries, but, it cannot be in coordination with terrorists networks. Hezbollah removes the legitimate sovereignty of Iran in that it operates with a clear understanding the violence is sanctioned by Iran. Iran cannot expect other countries to look the other way.

Terrorist organizations should never have political importance. It is ridiculous to consider such paradigms as answers going forward. We have witnessed sincere disruption in lives when a terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah or Hamas obtains recognition as a part of a political dynamic. The purpose to any country needs to be the peaceful lives of it's people within it's borders. Tolerating terrorist organizations within sovereign borders can only lead to instability within government and business.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights or OHCHR has not adopted a clear definition of terrorist or terrorist organizations. That is most likely a mistake and actually beings about instability and with instability an invitation to military leaders like that under the Trump regime to decide it is best to control other countries than put up with terrorist networks within them. 

...In reality, (click here) national definitions of terrorism remain largely left to the discretion of States, leading to varying interpretations in domestic counter-terrorism legislation. Ambiguous definitions of terrorism in some States have led to policies and practices that violate the fundamental freedoms of individuals and populations, and discriminate against particular groups. National definitions must always comply with international principles of legality and legal certainty....

That is exactly what it going on with Hezbollah. There is definitely a false leadership agenda within the Trump White House for the Middle East. That is possible because of the violence not controlled by sovereign countries. Such violence is an opportunity to instill a faux agenda of control through war and aggression. Such war and aggression allows invasion and occupation with little to no respect for the people that rightfully live on the land, in this case the Lebanese. That cannot be tolerated as hate will override dignity and peace and the occupied lands become unlivable by the people that rightfully belong there. An agenda of occupation is a human rights abuse. But. That human rights issue disappears when other more powerful countries decide it will not tolerate the violence existing because of legitimized terrorist organizations, ie: Hezbollah and Hamas.

Hezbollah had become powerful within sovereign countries less stable and more authoritarian. If a terrorist organization sets up housekeeping in a country such as Venezuela it is because they bring stability to a regime that operates outside the acceptance of the people. Between the former Maduro regime and Hezbollah the Venezuelan people had little or no authority over their own lives. We are still witnessing the oppression of the Venezuelan people in the lack of acceptance of a freely elected president. However, the alternative being Trump's ideology of turning the Western Hemisphere into Trumpland is as much a nightmare as the alliance between Hezbollah and Maduro. The killing and exploitation of natural resources would result in worse conditions for the people who inevitably would be enslaved for the sake of employment. The result of Trumpland is not benevolence. The agenda and goal to Trumpland is greed to a fewer and fewer of the global wealthy, primarily living in the USA at this point. Basically, his oligarchs.

Trump has a faux agenda of prosperity. It is not prosperity of the people of any country, it is his own prosperity justified by being a living god that brings happiness and quality of life for his genius. That quality of life will be trashed in an instance for control when the people decide they are unable to live under the oppression of his regime. His international friends, like Bolsonaro, are not interested in the people. They are interested in themselves and the control of the people for the benefits of profit. They are authoritarians not interested in democracy or freedom. They consider democracy and freedom an enemy of the people.

So, as to Hezbollah. It is a terrorist organization willing to exist on profits by assaulting humanity. In Venezuela, Hezbollah was interested in violence to satisfy Maduro to maintain control, but, it's primary interest was the drug cartels and the empowering money received in human carnage of the drugs. Hezbollah is not a benevolent organization regardless of it's belief in the principles of the Muslim faith. Better said, Hezbollah is more a violent Islamic organization no different than al Qaeda. They cannot be allowed to flourish under any regime. The fact remains that organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas fuel the need for control and justifies military actions through political paradigms resulting in the deaths of many innocent people. 

Those deaths are wrong. They simply are. We are less a people ourselves to believe permitting such war will protect us. We know better. Trump is not a good and decent man with good intentions. Trump is propaganda to that ideology. He will kill at will to serve his own goals justified by a Bible he wrote himself.

The Middle East needs to solve it's own problems without the power of the USA military. There are paths forward and every one of them should be pursued. You mean to tell me the leaders of the Middle East cannot see the future of their children? They cannot see anything but violent conflict? I don't believe that. Not for a second.

The old world strategies need to be abandoned and new alliances and commitment to the lives of all the ethnics in the region with patience with difference. The economy of religious tourism is real in the Middle East. It cannot be tainted by violence and false ideology.

To every leader in the Middle East their joy will be to witness the happiness and quality of life of their people as shared with those of neighboring countries. Terrorist organizations that seek to harness jihad as an ideology to serve god are toxic and violent and cannot be allowed to exist.

The example of Lebanon and Israel coming together to benefit both their national interests and national security is the way forward. There is no right or wrong religion or the right to annihilate one faith for another. Peace and prosperity void of hate and jealousy will bring about a Middle East that can garner the best of the future for it's children.

June 24, 2026

By David M. Halbfinger, Christina Goldbaum, Euan Ward and Samuel Granados

The Israeli military (click here) says thousands of its troops have surrounded an underground Hezbollah fortress beneath the hills of southern Lebanon, trapping dozens of militants inside.

The standoff is at the heart of intense clashes that have erupted in the area in recent days between U.S.-allied Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The clashes have already threatened to upend delicate progress toward a framework peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. Should the confrontation end in a blood bath, it could disrupt those negotiations again.

Despite an Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire and even after a halt to out-and-out combat over the weekend, fighting has persisted in the hills this week, particularly on a strategic ridge called Ali al-Taher, just north of the town of Kfar Tebnit....

The Arab Peace Initiative needs to be reconvened with Israel in attendance. Diplomatic relations between the Middle East countries has fallen into disrepair. No citizen of any country in the Middle East wants to entertain terrorists within their borders. To that end there is no reason why the Shi'ite diaspora cannot be moved from countries such as Lebanon to either justice proceedings, jail, and/or deportation to Iran.

The region needs peace and prosperity. Neither peace or prosperity are possible when terrorist organizations are normalized into a political spectrum.

There is much work to be done.

In March 2002 heads of Arab states (click here) gathered for an annual summit in Beirut adopted a resolution, proposed by Saudi Arabia, that offered to recognize the right of Israel to exist in return for withdrawal from occupied territory on the West Bank and Gaza and for division of Jerusalem into Israeli and Palestinian quarters. The resolution became known as the Arab Initiative. It was largely ignored by both Israel and the United States. Five years later, in 2007, Arab heads of state reaffirmed their acceptance of the so-called two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In 2008 some Israeli politicians took a second look at the Arab Initiative and suggested that it could form the basis for negotiations to end the half-century old war which had gradually been subsumed by the growing conflict between Shiite Iran and the Sunni states of the Arabian peninsula....

The American people are hostages.

The Congress passed an Affordable Housing Bill. There was supposed to be a bill signing ceremony at the White House today. 

That didn’t happen.

Donald Trump has decided the voting bill he wants out of Congress which no doubt is unconstitutional would seem to control the outcome to elections at the Midterms of 2026 this November and beyond.

One bill has absolutely nothing to do with the other, so given the popularity of the housing bill he decided it would be to HIS advantage if he took the American people hostage until he gets his corruption bill passed.

This is called racketeering.

How does it feel to have a USA president take a stranglehold of hope and kill it?

How does that feel? 

What Congress should do is override Trump’s pocket veto of the Housing Bill with a 2/3 majority and pass this vital bill into law. 

Trump is unable to discern the well being of an entire country and set aside his narcissistic interests of racketeering. He can’t be allowed to get away with it, but, will the majority Republicans act? Most likely not because their billionaire backers continue to need cover from Trump.

This is not an acceptable political environment for the USA and its people. It is criminal. 

It is about time.

(Click here) 

The entire Iranian situation is out of hand except for the negotiations sponsored by Pakistan. I think Oman is involved in those talks as well. This is the country I understand, not one with exploding jets and dead service members. Iran was never out of control to the point of invasion. The USA should offer war reparations to join the coalition of countries currently reaching out to Iran to build an understanding of peace and shared prosperity. 

I thank the U.S.A. Senate for acting.