U.S. Coast Guard conducts boardings off Pago Pago, American Samoa

U.S. Coast Guard conducts boardings off Pago Pago, American Samoa (click title) Thank you.

Boarding team members assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu conduct boardings on passenger vessels near Pago Pago, American Samoa, March 3, 2026. The crew of fast response cutter USCGC William Hart (WPC 1134) assisted the team with completing six total boardings while safeguarding the U.S. maritime border and its approaches in American Samoa. (U.S. Coast Guard video, courtesy Cutter William Hart)

14.3 S latitude and 170.7 W longitude

I am assuming "On behalf of the United States of America," means "On behalf of all fellow citizen Americans." 

May 31, 2026

On behalf of the United States of America, (click here) I extend my warm congratulations to the people of the Independent State of Samoa as you celebrate your 64th anniversary of independence on June 1.

The United States values our partnership with Samoa and the close cooperation we are building in the Pacific. Together, we are strengthening maritime security, enhancing law enforcement coordination, and improving air connectivity through our recently concluded Open Skies agreement. These efforts reflect both our nations’ commitment to a free and open region while supporting tourism, trade, and economic growth.

As Samoa marks this important occasion, the United States remains committed to deepening our partnership and advancing our shared priorities for regional security and prosperity. I wish all Samoans a joyful Independence Day.

Pango-Pango is the capital of American Samoa (click here).

Hegseth is way out of line.

(click here for an AI reference)

He is trying to break down the alliance. I believe NATO can stand on it's own, but, at this point with Russia breathing down Europe's neck it is a horrible idea to challenge the alliance fiscally.

It is not just a bad idea, it is outrageous to demand such things by a Secretary of Defense. Hegseth can go straight to hell. This is a treaty issue belonging to Congress. Senator McConnell is holding the line on this mess and I appreciate his focus.

By the way Hegseth is focusing on the Caribbean again. He is fixated on the idea that the western hemisphere belongs to Trump.

THE DRAFT IS COMING AFTER THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

There are many ways of financing the alliance and over taxing the allies is the worst choice.

GDP has been a standard by applying a percentage to the treasury of the alliance, but, that is not the most effective way to look at the alliance financing. The USA carries the largest burden because it can. It is also the one country benefitting the most by the alliance. 

Our military industrial complex is questionably on USA soil and it receives support from NATO. Not only that but we have the most people to protect. The USA garners a great deal of protection by Europe being a stanch friend. Besides an ocean away from Russia there is also an entire continent standing in the way. 

THAT MATTERS. 

When I once stated the resilience of the people of Ukraine comes from the fact, "They know who they are." That is the case with NATO. They are the front lines and they know it. That understanding has lived with the people of Europe for generations. They are proud of their heritage and rightfully so. They stood the ground when WWII became evident and gratefully they did. It wasn't until bombs landed on USA soil that Roosevelt finally took the assault against Europe seriously. If they had fallen to Hilter's Third Reich where would the USA have been when Peril Harbor fell?

As to Hegseth's being the War Secretary? He isn't attacking Russia or China, our real enemies, is he? No. He is picking on Iran, weakened and hated by Israel. He isn't interested in real war, he is interested in being "The Bully of War," not the "Secretary of War." Not to make a joke of the conflict in the Middle East as there are real deaths, including a civilian ship by Gambia. 

How many Americans know where Gambia is? 

How many Americans know what Gambia is all about? 

None!

Gambia is absolutely NO THREAT to the USA, yet because it was docking in Iran for whatever reason it was, now the blasted ship is listing in the water with unknown causalities because Hegseth said so.

Maritime law does not lean into Hegseth's authority. Maritime law recognizes the vulnerability of "being at sea." Did Hegseth first offer assistance to the ship and seek what the issues might be? No. He simply ordered the USA military to disable or worse any ship headed to Iran. Hegseth is in violation of maritime law. This is not a war. As a matter of fact the USA has no authority to block commerce to Iran. Iran has no nuclear capabilities and it is NOT A THREAT TO THIS COUNTRY.

The Middle East is on fire because of Israeli expansionism, no other reason. If Israel got rid of it's nukes the world would be a better place.

But, as to the contribution by every country of NATO to it's treasury it can be looked at through "greatest benefit." The USA ranks at the top of greatest benefit both for the economic uptick it receives from the alliance and the number of people protected by the alliance. It is only best if the USA maintains that alliance in the face of the other countries facing a heavy burden to participate. They contribute to the number of soldiers and readiness which is more important than greatest benefit. 

The monetary contribution is not as important as the strategy we share with really magnificent populations of people on a continent that is beautiful and resourceful.

The United States of America should not be assaulting Iran.

At one point in his presidency George W. Bush stated, "The USA is addicted to oil." What did he do about it? Declare war as a favor to a friend?

The American people should realize their cost of living goes up every time Trump pulls these stunts.

Iran is not a threat to the USA. Just that simple. It is a threat to Wall Street. There is absolutely no valid reason for the USA to be bombing Iran in any way. Iran now has the right to retaliate for Trump's misdeeds. The ceasefire was supposed to be solving the problems with Trump in the presidency, but, this is just more of the same from him.

This is the second time the USA has attacked the Shi'ites without reason. The first time was when the USA invaded Iraq. Iraq never had a hand in the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the lies and retelling of that tragedy on USA soil will not stand. 

I doubt this opinion is widely shared, but, the attack on Iraq after the tragedy of September 11, 2001 was an illegal war. The Bush administration wanted it for several reasons, but, simply because Saddam was a nasty SOB that yelled at the USA from his balcony was not a good enough reason to invade that country. To this day there are voting citizens of this country that believe Iraq was responsible for September 11, 2001. Most of those USA citizens don't know geography.

The Saudis are Sunni Muslims. I believe and no one will change my mind that the Saudis were and are powerful because of the global dependency on petroleum. Wall Street is addicted to it's fluid value, and the auto companies won't let the American people off the mat and continue to wrestle them with social status to continue to purchase fuel burning automobiles. That said, the Saudi kings and princes rule. Period. We have witnessed the violence they are capable of on September 11, 2001 and then with the acid burning of Jamal Khashoggi. As a result of these violent acts were there issues for Saudi Arabia? Hell, no. They are kings of the golf world now.

It is very easy to say the Middle East is a chronic war of religious hatred. The Sunnis hate the Shi'ites. The Shi'ites simply want their sovereign authority to exist to protect the interests of their flock. Israel wants to expand beyond it's United Nation's Resolution that created it in the first place and demonizes every other country that is conveniently in the bad light of the media. I believe the invasion into Iraq, besides the Halliburton uptick and the petroleum, was carried out to eliminate the lineage of the Shi'ite faith. I don't want to hear the arguments otherwise because it was tried. 

The Imam Ali Mosque was the place where a single surviving Shi'ite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr practiced his faith. He was the baby that Saddam could not find the day his four family members were slaughtered as they met in the home of the senior al-Sadr family. All four of the family members were Ayatollahs. Muqtada was taken away and hid from view to be protected and mentored over time by the Grand Ayatollah Sistani.

After the invasion of Iraq there were plans a foot to end the life of Muqtada al-Sadr as he was in the Imam Ali Mosque. The Grand Ayatollah had a heart condition and was taken to the UK for the placement of a coronary stent. While Sistani was in the UK an attack on the mosque was mounted by the USA military. Al-Sadr was considered an enemy. I just don't know who he was an enemy of because as time went by he learned about the democratic process taking shape in Iraq, he became a leader to bring his community to their place in that representation. 

The day the USA tanks were rolling down these narrow streets to assault the mosque and kill Al-Sadr the Grand Ayatollah became aware of the attack while recovering from the stent placement. From the UK he ordered the community surrounding the mosque to march. 25,000 Shia immediately took to the streets and ended the attack on the cleric. That is the absolute truth.

The Shi'ites have a place in this world and their right to exist AND HAVING INTACT AND PLENTIFUL religious lineages will not end. It will not end for to please Saudis or any other Sunni Muslim POWER STRUCTURE.

Donald John Trump and his family have profited from being nearly family to the Saudis and here we are again attacking the Shi'ites.

The USA IS NOT A MERCENARY FORCE.

Does the death of the Shi'ites benefit Israel. Yes. It places power friendly entities on a large piece of land that can be occupied and decided how best to have it serve all those of interest. What is the expression, the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Something like that. 

This is going to stop. The Shi'ites will have security within their sovereign borders and the rest of the world will come to terms with the hatred in the Middle East based in religious bigotry. The presidents of the USA will never again even be tempted to sacrifice the USA military AND SOLDIERS in senseless and unnecessary wars for profit and control.

No more.

Trump regularly moves against USA law and policy. He has done so with the invasion of Iran. In both his first and second term he has openly assassinated high ranking officials that were Shi'ties and affiliated with Iran. He has broken the law to satisfy others. He is doing it at the expense of the USA military's moral purpose in this world and the diminished capacity now of the national defense of the USA AND IT'S ALLIES.

Going forward all those interested in the Persian Gulf as a means of navigation need to have friendly relations with Oman and Iran. It is time the use of the USA's military for it's national defense and that of it's allies take it's proper place morally with the American people who seek nothing but peace.

The lies will stop. The world will be fine and the esteem of Iran will return to allow the people of that country a very valuable trade route. 

Trump placing the USA military anywhere in the Persian Gulf has one purpose and one purpose only and that is to end the taking of ships by pirates. 

May 26, 2026

By Tiago Ventura

Global oil prices touched $100 a barrel (click here) again Tuesday morning, marking renewed instability after the U.S. launched fresh strikes against Iran.

The price of Brent crude later eased back down to around $99, still showing a rise from the dip to $96 a barrel the previous day, when hopes were high after President Donald Trump had promised a U.S.-Iran peace deal was on the horizon.

But the fresh strikes—and Iran’s stern verbal warning that followed—have unsettled markets once more....

Iran’s nuclear capabilities is not an issue.

The Republicans backed off the war powers resolution. How much did Israel pay for that one? 

Trump was on a call with Netanyahu that didn’t go well. It means Trump wants money.

Trump is a very scared man and I am not taking about failed assassination attempts. He has been writing documents that won’t hold water guaranteeing his own clemency from future prosecution. He is throwing his family in the mix, too. Family is about Kushner and graft. 

Iran does not have nuclear capacity. If it could have peaceful use of nuclear power it would pursue it. Why bomb Iran BEFORE it has nuclear capability? That is a legitimate question. Why? 

Why? Intimidation to see what Trump can get out of Iran. Iran has a new way of walking and talking with the Persian Gulf as its sovereign waters. I guess it intends to assert its sovereign authority and it is right for the country to protect itself and enrich its treasury. 

All the idiots in the world talk about the Persian Gulf as if it was owned by international interests. Wrong. In case the idiots didn’t notice Iran was attacked by Trump after he and Hegseth hijacked the USA military for the annihilation of Shi’ites. 

Boo hoo, boo hoo, the shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf belong to everyone. Wrong.

Trump is playing with power no different than he has since he took the presidency with Elon the primary purchase agent. Those two have done nothing but wreaked havoc with power. 

Let me ask something here? 

Artemis had a magnificent launch and very successful trip to the moon. A mission by NASA paid for by American tax dollars invested in reaching Mars. Why the shake up at NASA? Why mess with success? The owners of the private space programs are in Trump’s back pocket. Hello? The results of that mission is classified. How many people now have access to America’s mission to Mars that didn’t before? 

It is admiral Iran is still talking at what is being called a peace table. That is about money. The nuclear mess Trump continues to insist is part of the peace treaty is a scare tactic to sell Trump’s illegal war to carry out the death of Shi’ites to Congress.

The IAEA should provide an assessment to the public of Iran’s history of nuclear capabilities as well as the current assessment. They should include the management program for Iran’s peaceful use of nuclear capabilities.

$2.6 billion taxpayer dollars gone.

(Click here for video)

The first F-35 lost under Trump. 

Seven KC-135 Stratotanker lost. Not one. Not two. SEVEN. Why? Because the battle was too far away for essential fueling. Fueling over a battle field is completely incompetent. If your jet fighters are too far away from a home base and need a Stratotanker to stay alive in the air, what happens to the jet fighter pilots when the fueling jet cannot be found because it was shot down and destroyed. The incompetence by Trump and Hegseth is the most hideous attempt at genocide ever witnessed.

The cost of Trump’s wars are ridiculous. Israel could not protect itself with its Iron Dome. The USA had to provide the shield for Israel while Israel continued to conduct a war it cannot safely conduct.

Israel is not to believe it can carry out genocide with the support of the American people.

There will be no more genocide at the cost of the national defense of the USA. Get over it.

(Click here)

Green Card

Trump cannot order anyone out if the country when seeking permanent status. The Green Card process requires a person to act and qualify as a citizen. 

The legislature has to change that and it is completely ridiculous and a BURDEN.

Trump is afraid of any person with a Green Card of being a permanent citizen with THE POWER TO VOTE.

Any stupid moves by Trump (as if there is anything else) between now and the election is motivated by politics and must be challenged in court.

Honesty.

When will decency reign in this country again? 

Tulsi Gabbard

 Very sorry to hear of her spouse's cancer. Bone cancer can be very rough. I am certain her presence will help him cope and bring attention to him while he is at the weakest points of his life. I wish her and her spouse success in the fight of his life.

I also appreciate the fact she never backed the war with Iran. I find that important when realizing some of her time in the political arena was at the very least controversial. Opposing a war when there is American technology, assets and most importantly lives at stake is an admiral point. I wish people had listened to her. She was the Director of Intelligence and Trump never blinked when it came to the attacks on Iran. I find that most unfortunate.

I wish her well.

It is amazing how easily Republicans are intimidated to breaking with the rule of law.

 The Republicans are seeking a way around the vote that would defeat Trump's domestic agenda of terror by passing a reconciliation bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol for the remainder of Trump's term. ICE officers are still making arrests after a judge prohibited them from court proceedings. It is easy to see the immigrants arrested at their court proceedings will have an easy time proving their arrests were illegal. Now. Because ICE does not obey the Rule of Law they can be arrested for contempt at the very least. 

The indictment of Castro at such an advanced age reminds me of the pursuit of the Nazis by the the survivors of the Holocaust. I do believe the indictment was issued illegitimately. If all the evidence was presented a grand jury would have seen through the error of bringing it up in the first place. The pilots of the planes were interviewed and warned about their activity to bring illegal immigrants from Cuba. The pilots were acting out of heroics for their fellow Cubans, but, it was not a safe or legal activity. There is always danger in entering the sovereign airspace of another country. Granted the four pilots were killed by Cuban missiles, but, they were illegally in Cuban airspace. Sorry to say, Castro's defense should be fairly simple.

As of anonymous reporting today regarding a recent phone call between Netanyahu and Trump it is obvious Netanyahu is responsible for pushing the Iran war onto the American people. Trump did not have to go through with it, but, their abiding ideology brought about attacks into Iran that have resulted in an enormous insult to the global economy driving USA inflation past 3 precent and it is only May.

I am grateful of Senator Cassidy and his vote to invoke limits on Trump's ability to continue the war with Iran. It is a wrong headed war and needs to end. Iran is no longer a passive partner in the Middle East. This latest hostility that killed so many in leadership was a real lesson to the country. While they hope for a different form of social order that allows greater expression as in a democracy, they didn't expect to be bombed relentlessly and it's leadership demised to the point of desperation. When leadership is depleted, the military takes over. No one wants that for the Iranian people.

Illegal immigration is good?

I find it ironic that decades after Cuban nationals tried to bring more Cubans to the USA illegally Castro is indicted for stopping it. I don't approve of the planes being shot down, but, it wasn't a military operation. How are there indictments for the death of Americans operating an illegal operation within Cuban airspace? 

May 20, 2026

The Justice Department (click here) indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on murder charges Wednesday, a move that coincides with Cuba’s Independence Day and a threat from President Trump that he could invade the island.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche joined prosecutors in South Florida to announce the indictment “in conjunction with a ceremony to honor the victims of the Brothers to the Rescue.”

Four men were killed in 1996 when their planes, searching for those potentially seeking to leave the island and reach Florida’s shores, were shot down by the Cuban military, which was led by Castro at the time....

Bringing the fight to us.

Netanyahu courted Trump to take on Iran. So, he did. By hijacking the USA military. No doubt there is a lot of damage, but, Cuba owning Iranian drones as a defense from Trump is proof the world is bringing the fight to us. 

Trump’s aggression caught everyone off guard. Does MAGA actually think Trump can damage other countries, kill their leaders, and take them out of the country to stand trial with impunity? The surprise of the attack is fleeting. There is no immunity from murder and genocide. No one is going to put up with him.

I doubt an apology will be accepted.

When the Iranian F-35s show up then maybe they’ll get the picture. I am so tired of the American people spending enormous amounts of money for the best defensive force in the world to be sabotaged by war mongering presidents that declare illegal wars and compromise this country and allies.

NO BALLROOM

Trump’s a nut case and the GOP is pandering to him because they are afraid of him. This is ridiculous. Trump wants his own hospital connected to the ballroom. He is a Putin.

MAGA is completely incompetent. I don’t care who it is because their decisions are tethered to the Executive Branch. There is no separation of powers. 

Additionally.

There are Iranian drones in Cuba. That is a direct result of Hegseth’s hegamony. Latin America is now affiliated with Russia and are planning a near border war because the Republicans are incompetent and spineless.

The corruption within Trump's DOJ is profound.

Bondi handed out cash like it was water to anyone who stated they were aggrieved because of January 6th, including Michael Flynn. With Bondi gone one would expect more ethical standards and less racketeering. Wrong on both counts. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is just as bad in handing Trump an Anti-Weaponization Fund worth $1.776 billion.

Got that?

1776 

Recognize the year?

Well, Trump thought that number was prefect for his racketeering buddies. They can all laugh it up now in having pulled one over on the American people.

WHY THE BIG LIE?

THIS IS WHY!

Efficacy

The Louisiana Republican primary needs to be assessed for policies and procedures for any interference or lawlessness.

Slogan

I am trying to cone up with one for the Republicans. There anti-American agenda should have a slogan that reflects who they truly are. So much of their political jargon revolves around “Conservative Leadership.” Does anyone actually know what that means?

Woman enslavement- “We only want you for your bodies and I mean Barbie doll bodies, too.” 

USA Treasury Burden- The USA Treasury is no longer a generational enhancement, but, a chain around every American neck for their entire life. “No new taxes” started in the 1988 Republican convention. That was 36 years ago and not even COLA applies. Can we say this one is stuck in a runt considering we bail out Wall Street for more than they ever pay in taxes. 

“Set the ns free!” - This has been a battle cry to redefine racism. Somehow people of color are weighed down by every effort to achieve equality. So, with the election of Barack Obama the end of racism was declared. Every aspect of equality effort made by this country to stuck in the craw of Republicans until a majority Supreme Court set out to satisfy the party’s declaration. The money the Heritage Foundation spent to ensure equality was buried along with Lincoln is mind boggling. Then those same racists abandoned the organization as soon as Trump gave them their dream called human rights violations and genocide. John Roberts simply doesn’t get it and why should he living in Cloud City all his life. The Democratic Party needs a dedicated Parliamentarian to assist the voting efforts and lawsuits. Seriously.

Originalism is the absolute interpretation of the Constitution - Do the Republicans recognize the fact when the Constitution was written there were 13 states and approximately 2.5 million people living here? The decision made regarding “I am Curious Yellow” broke the concept of originalism. Get over it. The House Speaker should be grateful for the Louisiana Purchase. Originalism is obsolete. Oddly enough we have not erased the word or the discussion around it because it is obsolete. The Civil War where Americans died to win a government that didn’t enslave people ended originalism. Thomas Jefferson would approve. 

I think the new slogan for the Republican Party should reflect its unhuman ideology preferred by billionaire players. Let’s see. Hm. How about, “America is where deporting anyone with a personal value less than six figures is a requirement and racketeering is the new definition of union organizating.”

Why is Fetterman a Democrat?

Most Democrats in Pennsylvania disapprove of his voting record.

His highest approval rating is with Republicans. 

Pennsylvania Democrats should have a real person to vote for. 

Time is here to present a far better proposal Russia cannot refuse.

Assessment as of: 8:00 PM ET. Data Cutoff: 12:30 PM ET (click here)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is leaning on nuclear saber-rattling to project military strength after Russia’s apparent failure to ensure full security for the May 9 Victory Day parade without asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a ceasefire. Putin claimed on May 12 that Russian forces successfully tested the RS-28 Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), also referred to as the SS-X-29 or SS-X-30 in NATO classification....

...Putin’s posturing with the Sarmat ICBMs also likely aims to distract from Russia’s worsening performance on the battlefield, particularly during the Russian spring-summer 2026 offensive. Putin and senior Russian military officials have intensified their exaggerations of Russian battlefield successes throughout 2026, but the Russian rate of advance has declined monthly since October 2025 as Ukrainian forces escalated their mid-range strike campaign and imposed additional costs on Russian efforts to advance....

Aid to Ukraine cannot be postponed.

A rescue worker (click here) at a Philip Morris factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which was hit in a Russian missile strike in January.

The tensions of NATO allies by Russia has been worrisome even after Orban's defeat. Russia is still counting on Trump's indifference regarding the alliance to entertain an advance toward Europe. The uncertainty Trump emulates is causing real concern within the countries closest to the Russian borders.

Credit...

13 May 2026

By Tomáš Hrivňák

...The situation illustrates (click here) a schizophrenia in Slovak foreign policy. On the one hand, Fico continues to maintain close ties with Moscow, seeking to normalise trade and political relations with the country that launched a full-scale war against Slovakia’s neighbour Ukraine.

On the other hand, the Slovak defence industry has been exporting record number of artillery shells, helping Ukraine maintain necessary ammunition levels – while making eye-watering profits for the manufacturers with political ties to Fico’s government.

Behind closed doors, the Slovak side is toeing the Nato line, and Bratislava’s military spending even reached two percent of its GDP in 2024, as required by Nato.

Meanwhile, Fico continues with ever stronger criticism of Ukraine, the EU and the West, and boasts about the effectiveness of authoritarian regimes such as those in China, Vietnam and Putin’s Russia.

Fico says war always comes from the West and peace always comes from the East....

May 13, 2026

By Jakub Krupa

The aftermath (click here) of the Russian drone attack in Odesa Oblast on May 13 (Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa Oblast/Handout via REUTERS)

At least six people were killed (click here) in an intense daytime Russian attack on Ukraine, with over 800 drones launched against targets in the country, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said (9:57, 11:47, 16:54).

Neighbouring Slovakia has closed temporarily its border crossings with Ukraine in response to expected further attacks near the border (17:12).

The attack comes as top regional leaders, joined by Zelenskyy, met in Bucharest to discuss the European security, reaffirming their support for Ukraine (16:35, 16:43).

As much as there is a reason for a changing of the guard it is not time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be replaced. Too much uncertainty will only increase unease throughout the alliance. Russia is fond of the unease within NATO.

May 12, 2026

By Brian Melley and Pan Pylas 

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer (click here) insisted Tuesday that he has no intention of resigning as calls grew louder within his Labour Party for him to step down and some junior members of his government quit in protest.

A day before the state opening of Parliament when the government will present its legislative program for the coming year, Starmer tried to shore up support within his Cabinet.

Starmer’s future has become a hot topic over the past few feverish days following historic losses for the Labour Party in local elections last week, which if repeated in a national election that has to be held by 2029, would see it overwhelmingly ejected from power....

26.2.2026

According to the Polish Prime Minister and the President of Lithuania, the introduction of severe sanctions is one of the key measures to put pressure on Russia. During a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki argued that the removal of Russian companies from the MSCI index and complete cut-off of access to the SWIFT banking system and financial systems would be the only noticeable sign of protest against further attacks on Ukraine. Extensive measures should also include the discontinuation of the use of Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines and the closure of European airspace to Russian aeroplanes. The head of government issued an appeal for Germany to provide real support in terms of weapons....

...The Russian invasion of Ukraine (click here) is not just an attempt to deprive this country of its sovereignty or the tragic fate of its people. It is a violation of the entire order established after World War II. Russia is attempting to destroy the world we know.

The head of the Polish government appealed to the German public: “We must stop Putin because we can see another threat of genocide on the horizon. Innocent people are dying – children, women, men, soldiers – you see these images every day. What about your consciences? Let's help them together. The sanctions package must be crushing."...

It is important Russia receive a clear understanding that the five year old war it is engaged with Ukraine cannot be toleratred any longer. Change in leadership anywhere in NATO with the exception being Trump will only prolong the process of shutting down the war. New faces in leadership will create a learning curve for new leadership that can delay the end of this war. Now is not the time for creating uncertainity. Now is the time to close in around a resolve to this war and end it.

(Click here)

May 13, 2026

...Rep.Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, launched the discharge effort almost a year ago. Now Democrats are planning to force the vote the first week of June, according to three people granted anonymity to describe private plans.

It’s the latest headache for Speaker
Mike Johnson, who has already seen a staggering number of discharge petitions succeed this Congress and is now seeking to unify his conference around a party-line immigration enforcement bill.

A pair of centrist House Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Don Bacon of Nebraska, had already signed the Ukraine petition and had been lobbying GOP colleagues for months to join them....

Just for the record.

Michigan Medicine isn’t able to settle a contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan. That’s okay. The Blues cancelled the policy contract as of December 31, 3025 of which I subscribed. I did the math. My costs under this new contract, if I had the exact same costs as last year will cost me $7855.00 more in co-pays.

I have had The Blues all my life. 

My family has had The Blues all their lives.

That increase is highway robbery in the face of lousy tactics with Michigan Medicine negotiations. The Blues were sending out opinion polls to their subscribers to find pickable points during negotiations.

Not only that, but for three years running The Blues have tried to send nurse practitioners to subscribers homes to gather information that was only in Private Doctor files. Then the nurse practitioners were to be Case Managers and advise subscribers in regard to medications, etc.

The practices are highly unethical.

I will be looking for new healthcare insurance on June 1st because of failed contract negotiations. My doctors come first!

The profits these companies are making are obscene. There needs to be stronger regulatory laws. When a major health care insurer can’t enter into a contract with the state’s premier university hospital because it isn’t profitable there is something very, very wrong.

Have ya thought about it?

 The whole Voting Rights Act of 1964? I am certain there are lots of pundits trying to justify racism. That really isn’t the argument to prove the racism though.

There once were carriages that horses pulled before there were horseless carriages. 

(Click here)

The laws regulating horse drawn carriages are still on the books, right? There are only a few instances where they still apply. The Amish use their horse drawn carriages. Now a days they use signal lights so they are easier to see. In cities like New York the rules and regs would still apply because of the tourist businesses that still apply. So, while the laws are mostly obsolete, there are still instances where they are important.

The United States of America is a highly dynamic country. The freedoms of the First Amendment alone bring about a lot of tolerance to difference. The Freedom of Speech alone is vital to the democracy we all love and pledge allegiance.

None of those foundation documents are obsolete except to people who see authoritarianism as a real answer to taxes and the ever increasing diversity of the people of the USA. 

The Voting Rights Act of 1964 is being actively dismantled. That is a hostile act. 

When laws go into effect there is a good chance as time goes by they become obsolete. Laws becoming obsolete don’t have to be dismantled and in most instances are simply a part of history. It is a really fun and is funny to look at laws as they were 100 years ago and realize how far we have come, including child labor laws and the laws that set up the public education system. Where would we be as a sovereign country without public education?

The Voting Rights Act of 1964 was necessary at the time it passed into law. The Roberts Court would like Americans to believe it is obsolete and therefore has to be examined for updated high court remedies. That is corruption. High handed corruption.

If the Voting Rights of 1964 were obsolete there would be no need to litigate anything because it would mean the law worked and equality and respect for voting was achieved. If the law became obsolete it simply would not be used anymore. So, in Shelby vs. Holder they wanted the law watered down so they could conduct elections as they wanted. That’s the truth. 

Shelby didn’t thank the founders of the Voting Rights Act of 1964 for seeing where correction needed to be made and bringing about equality. No. There was no thank you. My guess is there is too much hate to even recognize why the law was necessary in the first place. 

If a Supreme Court decides in majority a law is obsolete and rightfully should be dismantled, what is next? The Constitution itself?

The Roberts Court Conundrum

Roberts has made quite a mess of things, hasn’t he? We’ll find our way out if it. I think he should be sued along with the other five personally. If they get but in the ass they might begin to understand what life is all about.

(Click here)

It is real. It is corruption of our judicial system at the highest level. It is legislating from the bench. It is based in ideology, political and personal judicial beliefs no different than the destruction of Roe. Now, they are going after contraception in preventing the free and open distribution of the abortion pill.

See these decisions based in personal choices by the conservative judges cause harm. They affect people’s lives adversely. I guarantee the poor and lower middle class are more deeply affected by these decisions than Caucasians in the middle class while the upper class and very wealthy experience no repercussions at all. 

Those class distinctions are important.

Why? 

Simple. The right of upward movement promised by a society based in capitalism. Otherwise what do people do in a society CAST in roles rather than opportunity? Hm? 

Let’s establish a fact or two that is pivotal to the ideology driving the oppression of average Americans. Is there racism? That has to be answered to establish the false narrative of the Roberts Court and the current ideological choice exhibited by the lack of resolve of an administration that based in sexism and racism.

In Shelby vs. Holder the bottom line with Roberts is that it has been decades since the passage of The Voting Rights Act. Nothing else just that the law passed during the Johnson Era was in effect for too long. That was the decision and reasoning by the Chief Justice himself. There were four other conservative justices at the time and they all fell in line.

(Click here)

There were no clear violations or damages exhibited by the Voting Rights Act of 1964. Just basically Shelby County was tired of being thwarted by the law. Now, what is occurring across this country with the permission of the same court that sought to end the Voting Rights Act? What is occurring across this country? Is there hands off voting rights for every American wishing to cast a ballot? Is voting being facilitated or destroyed? Voting was attacked, that was attacked in the most recent aggression in Virginia. 

The Republican Party wants to ELIMINATE voting to replace our democracy with a king even in the face of the recent reference by King Charles of the United Kingdom of the Monroe Doctrine.

Is there racism? All anyone has to point to is the vicious campaign by ICE and Border Patrol under Trump. Trump is not carrying this aggression against minority people alone, the Republicans DEFEATED the immigration reform under Biden. The bill was about to pass both houses, but, the Republican Party unilaterally thought it best to campaign in fear of the other instead.

The answer to the issue of the injustice found in the rulings of the Roberts Court is obvious. The Shelby decision and all others that followed were clear decisions to advance an ideology in complete disrespect of the USA Constitution and every man and woman that died defending it.

Power brokers. That is the focus of justices like Alito as if entitled to turn this country on it’s head for the simple fact they made the cut into a permanent office of power to advance whatever their political urges might be.

I have no problem pointing a finger at those that abuse the power of their office and the racketeering it takes.

Rouge Waves

(Click here)

Dead serious about climate.

Air-Water interface.

Helmets are a good idea. I have to wonder how understudied seamen are in regard to head injury and concussion. 

(Click here)

There is the very rare thought that the worst rough waves occur when tides, moon gravity, currents, and Rossby Waves converge, along with the air-water interface.

“Shelter Skelter”

(Click here)

It is strange to live with the threat of reckless nuclear annihilation in a country with that capacity and as well as being a target. I always thought “The Twilight Zone” did a great serve to Americans about the folly of such weapons. 

Given Hegseth's record of self-destruction in battle, it is a rather appropriate lesson even today.

I definitely would not rearm Hegseth. Seriously.

India

If there is one country that has the greatest capacity for danger from nuclear aggression it is India. 

Sort of.

The question with India is, “Is there greater safety in close proximity should the wind on any given day not be favorable?”

I remind all countries temped with nuclear weapon capacity, they are now facing a highly volatile Earth with its fluidity of air and water and heat. No weather condition is guaranteed not to backfire. 

Our friends in Asia and the Asian Pacific

I suppose all the saber rattling of North Korea and the expansive mission of China can seem threatening. The USA under its current leadership isn’t exactly steadfast in the commitment to its alliances. For that reason, the great democracies of Asia and the Asian Pacific, including Australia should reassess what will work best for them going forward. 

Please don’t ask us to give up “K Pop.” That would be cruel beyond understanding.

But, all these years have been laced with military war games to establish greatness in our friends and allies. Those lessons are still very real and will continue to work as their national defense. The difference is, “Who calls the ball?” I think the best answer to that is everyone. 

An alliance isn’t about a single authority. It is about the meeting of great minds to bring about the best response to any threat in the region. I think a reassessment of all the USA Allie’s will not only bring about greater communication, but a far better response. I know the leaders of these countries are upto acting in unison to protect freedom loving people. 

When it comes to a nuclear threat, the Asian Pacific has a density of danger as two of the permanent governments are there. Additionally, there is an unknown response from North Korea. I believe the leadership in South Korea can engage in dialogue with North Korea with ease. Perhaps an open dialogue is what is best for now. I believe the leadership of North Korea feels threatened by an unpredictable Washington, DC. That is reinforced by pure unadulterated hatred between the two countries. It is not a good place to be. It is vital North and South Korea have an ongoing dialogue based in the truth and reasonable trust. It is after all their people most important.

The Pacific alliance can also dialogue with NATO in reassurances about maintaining a nuclear deterrent. It may be time for Australia, Japan, and South Korea to take on

The challenge of their own nuclear response. Their own Triad, if you will. 

It is a peculiar time in the world. I personally believe much is possible both on the military front, but, also the peace initiative. It is important a balance of power is maintained. However. Nuclear Non-proliferation has a new place in the stark reality of an se of power. If one believes much can be done then it can.

Along with all this aggression the world is facing there are strong climate challenges. Those challenges can be met with cooperation on other fronts so peoples can count on a day to day life with stable parameters rather than uncertainty. 

Peace, the final and lasting frontier.

Peace is where the greatest economic engine lies. 

Virginia Supreme Court?

Trust the people. Americans are moral.

(Click here)

and

(Click here)

NATO is correct in each countries involvement of genocide.

(Click here)

The reasons for the war with Iran make no sense. The reasons Trump is FINDING reasons to war with Iran is because he started it with the assassination of Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei. Trump murdered him along with any nearby civilians including schoolgirls valued differently by the Shi’ite faith as opposed to the Sunni faith. No one will convince me those girls are dead by accident. They are dead because of their status and proximity to the Ayatollah.

There is a difference between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims when it comes to the lineage of their leaders. It is up to the leaders of both faiths to resolve to end hostile feelings of each other which I can’t believe are of God/Allah. The Saudi Crowned Prince has begun that process by ending permission for Trump and Hegseth to use sovereign Saudi land for extrajudicial killings of Iranians. 

Trump has committed murder and how convenient to call it war. The USA has a policy of NO ASSASSINATION of global leaders. End of discussion. Trump broke that rule not just in his second term but also his first. Because it is difficult for Iran to retaliate there was no response in his first term, hence, the changed military response by Iran the second time around. Now, as long as the USA is within reach and allies are backing the illegal war by Trump, Iran has every right to defend itself and retaliate for the assassination of it’s leader.

NATO allies are not obligated to carry out extrajudicial killings or an illegal war. NATO remains a strong alliance in respect of moral actions militarily with soldiers understanding their own responsibilities within that respected morality. 

Intimidation should never exist in relationships between the USA and any other country, especially allies. Intimidation is not only leveled by Trump daily it is a favored approach and strategy in his dealings internationally.

It is important the USA continue to grow on what is already proven best.

Solar and wind are proven to be vital to American energy. Personal capacity is already available. Solar arrays in apartment windows can recharge batteries. It is all safe, clean energy.

She should be telling the world the importance of Iranian women, not prisoned for it.

Iran must show compassion for it's own people. She is harmless and needs medical attention and soon.

Please.

6 October 2023

When the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (click here) announced the winner of the peace prize, Narges Mohammadi, she recited a slogan associated with the women’s rights movement in Iran.

“Women, life, freedom,” Berit Reiss-Andersen said on Friday.

6 May 2026

Jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner (click here) Narges Mohammadi could die in prison unless she is urgently given proper health care after suffering two suspected heart attacks in recent weeks.

The technology is so magnificently simple.

(Click here)

Five hundred meters below the Pacific, off the coast of Los Angeles, a hollow concrete sphere the size of a small house will soon sit anchored to the seabed. When the grid needs power, a valve opens, seawater rushes in, and a turbine spins. When surplus electricity needs somewhere to go, the water is pumped back out. No lithium. No rare earth metals. Just concrete, pressure, and physics. This is StEnSea (Stored Energy in the Sea), a project from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology, now heading for its first full-scale ocean test off Long Beach, California, by the end of 2026.

Trump is a danger to consumers and benevolent energy sources.

(Click here)

The Rhode Island Block Island Offshore Wind Farm is probably the most studied environmental project (click here).

Why would any president order wind farms to be delayed if not dismantled? Corruption. There is no other answer. The economic delay of the offshore energy is litigable. The federal authorities engaged in racketering and need to be sued for it's interference.

Today, Trump's administration is offering grants for ONSHORING energy. 

Why?

The American people have already spent money on such energy infrastructure as offshore wind farms. Why spend more? The courts are already saying interference by Trump is illegal. So, now he will simply spend more money to fund an industry already served. 

These are more minor attempts at energy efficiency. There is no reason to substitute these projects for projects like offshore wind farms that provide energy to power some of the most inefficient uses of power. Every little bit helps, but, these are not substitutes for real power generation.

May 7, 2026

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) (click here) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation today announced $52 million for 20 projects across 15 states to enhance the competitiveness of American industry and support the onshoring of American manufacturing. Selected projects will accelerate the development of secure, affordable energy technologies in trade-exposed industries to reduce reliance on imports while driving economic growth and supporting job creation for American families and businesses across the country....

Michigan Medicine is the state's premier health network. It isn't going anywhere, however, Blue Cross and Blue Shield might be.

By Jack Springgate
May 7, 2026

 
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (click here) is telling members who go to Michigan Medicine to start looking for other providers.

The insurance company's contract with the healthcare system ends on June 30, and negotiations for a new one have been unsuccessful so far.

University of Michigan Hospital patients like Larry Prout Jr., who's had more than a hundred lifesaving operations there, say his family is facing major out-of-network medical costs or giving up their 20-year relationship with University of Michigan doctors if Blue Cross Blue Shield and Michigan Medicine can't agree to a new contract by the deadline.

"I don't know what we would do. Stay at Michigan Medicine, and that's all we would have to do, and just figure it out," said Larry Prout Jr.'s mother, Kathryn Prout....

The profits the insurance companies are making is obscene. Blue Cross and Blue Shield can complain all they want, but, they are offering very minimal payments to the health care providers. This year alone the copays have increased at least five times higher than last year. Blue Cross, Blue Shield has moved Schedule one medications under the Affordable Care Act to schedule three or four. These are well established medications that are no longer protected by patent rights. This is nothing short of profiteering at the expense of it's subscribers. No doubt if BCBS were going to pay more to Michigan Medicine the subscribers would be the first to feel it. 

It is time to seek out better coverage, not abandon the doctors and nurses that take on the toughest cases in the state.

May 6, 2026
By Bruce Japsen

Health insurer Oscar Health (click here) swung to a $679 million first quarter profit – the highest in company history – as its health plan membership jumped more than 50% and medical costs eased.

Oscar, which grew to 3.2 million health plan members as one of the nation’s largest providers of individual coverage under the Affordable Care Act, on Wednesday reported net income of $679 million, or $2.07 per diluted share. That compares to $275.3 million, or 92 cents in the first quarter of 2025.

Founded in 2012, Oscar had yet to turn a profit for a full year until 2024, but Mark Bertolini -- the former chief executive officer of Aetna who was tapped as Oscar’s top executive in March of 2023 and his team – have delivered on their promises as they remain bullish on the individual health insurance market even as rivals are retreating. This year’s first quarter profit was several times what the company made last year and the year before.

Oscar’s revenue rose 53% to $4.6 billion from $3 billion in the year-ago quarter thanks to the 56% increase in health plan enrollment from 2 million last year after Oscar expanded sales of its health insurance products into new markets for this year.

The USA should reassess it's need in the region.

A large swath of the Straits of Hormuz belongs to Iran. There is no way at this juncture the USA military can believe it is in the least appreciated by Iran. Quite the contrary it is a threat. As a threat there is no way any country can expect Iran to stand down from it's state of readiness to survive any other attack sent it's way. With that reality comes the need to reassess and realize the peril the USA is creating for the global economy. Iran needs to be left alone to develop it's sovereign waters and allow passage of friendly ships. Not every ship is going to be considered friendly or desirable. 

The USA should escort any ships in the region considered in danger while standing down from any blockade or interruption in Iran's movement within it's own sovereign waters. As a reference point, Oman believes it has an agreement with Iran for peaceful intent for it's shared waterway. I think Oman's ability to broker a peace with Iran should be reinstated.

Any military activity by Iran is below the threshold of aggression into war. That reality is one that has sustained for some time and must be respected. It may very well be that is the only level of attack Iran is capable of with it's depleted infrastructure. Waiting for something greater to act on is hideous no matter how this is viewed. The USA needs to be underway to remove itself as a threat and allow Iran the authority it needs to establish conditions for passage through it's sovereign waters.

May 7, 2026
By Adam Schreck, David McHugh and Russ Bynum

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military (click here) said it intercepted Iranian attacks on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces.”

The exchange occurred Thursday as U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post. U.S. forces intercepted “unprovoked Iranian attacks” and responded with self-defense strikes, it said.

The U.S. military said no ships were hit. It said it doesn’t seek escalation but “remains positioned and ready to protect American forces.”

Iranian state media said the country’s armed forces exchanged fire with “the enemy” on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. It is the largest Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, home to about 150,000 people. It also houses a water desalination plant.

Iranian state media also reported loud noises and defensive fire in western Tehran. In southern Iran, explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas, semiofficial Iranian news agencies said. The reports from the Fars and Tasnim agencies did not identify the source of the blasts.

I congratulate the Crowned Prince.

This is a clear understanding Saudi Arabia wants peace with Iran. It is a wonderful realization and hope for peace for the region.

Saudi Arabia is the understood leader of OPEC. With the UAE leaving OPEC the organization had to reflect on it's future and the future of petroleum at all. The production from Saudi Arabia fell by 7.76 barrels of oil a day because of Trump's war. The remaining OPEC countries have increased production to attempt to stem the increasing global impact. Saudi Arabia had unearthed an oil pipeline that lie dormant for sometime in order to begin an alternate route than shipping. Other countries have begun land routes to move their oil. 

Moody's Analytics warns oil at $125 could trigger a global recession (click here)

Moody’s Analytics' Gaurav Ganguly expects the conflict to ease soon, with Asia-Pacific growth around 4% this year. He cautions that a prolonged Middle East conflict would drive oil prices higher, and warns Brent crude at a sustained $125 could trigger a global recession.

Iran's sovereign waters are it's to manage. I don't blame them for not only seeking control but an attempt to bring fiscal solvency to it's country.

I realize the reputation Iran has in the world, but, in reality it never has really been let up of the mat. Iran, since the revolution, has had the Free World putting pressure on it's governing regime to bring about change. As a result the country, perhaps no different than North Korea, believes it's sovereign state relies on weapons of mass destruction as well as terrorism. 

Iran currently has no plans to recover any military nuclear program. There is no proof one exists currently or will in the future. The attacks by Trump's orders have caused widespread damage to Iran's infrastructure as well as civilian death. It is very difficult to believe the current leadership of Iran has not reflected on that loss to realize the future may be nothing but danger if nuclear war technology was resumed. 

(Click here)

...A refusal by Saudi Arabia to allow the US to use its bases and airspace to provide a military escort for oil tankers passing through the strait of Hormuz lay behind Donald Trump’s decision to shelve the plan days after it had been launched.

Riyadh told the White House it would not allow its Prince Sultan airbase to be used to mount the operation billed as Project Freedom, which the US presented as the successor to the bombing campaign called Operation Epic Fury.

Saudi Arabia refused to drop its objections despite a personal call between the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and Trump, NBC reported....

Trump and Netanyahu think they are achieving goals.

They are not. They are making the world less viable for capitalism and many may think that is a good thing. When the very militaries they are exploiting for their hegemony are supported by capitalism their venture is headed to doom.

Trump has managed to either crash over Iran, either through friendly or hostile fire every form of USA military technology. The opposition, including Russia and China no longer have to send spies to steal secrets, Trump just has to get pissed off enough to drop bombs. 

Iran successfully mastered the American drone to sell it to Russia. Ukraine is paying the price. Now, Iran has radar and F35 technology. It won’t be long before the Iranian F35 will be in the skies. The Iranians don’t need nukes, they have USA war capabilities.

Trump is an enormous existential threat.