Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked at least six U.S. Army officers from becoming two-star generals, continuing a pattern of obstructing promotions this year. Hegseth aims to reshape the Pentagon with a “warrior ethos”, criticizing diversity initiatives and identity-based promotions. Over 80 generals and admirals have been fired or blocked under his tenure. High-profile figures, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, have resigned amid reported tensions with Hegseth, reflecting ongoing upheaval in military leadership.

So, the Army Chief of Staff was recently fired; there is no Secretary of the Army because of his clashes with Hegseth; the navy leadership is apoplectic over being stretched too thin amid multiple assignments around the world and the bases in the Persian Gulf have been rendered inoperative due to Iran’s bombing attacks and are unable to supply the ships stationed in the Gulf.

With the Army up-in-arms and without leadership and with the Army Secretary having resigned with a dire message delivered in-person to Trump, Trump has a big dilemma on his hands. Now knowing of the incompetence and derogation in the military for Hegseth, and knowing of the disdain of the MAGA base both for the status of the Iran war and the decline respect for the military establishment, Trump is faced with the decision of whether to fire Hegseth. But the problem of replacing Hegseth is formidable. Who would want or be willing to take the job of Defense Secretary while the pointless war in Iran continues and the approval rating for Trump and his Administration is in the pits – and heading lower?

Trump apparently wants to get past the November election before facing up to any changes that seem mandatory. Perhaps he will pull out of the Middle East and leave settlement to the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf. Perhaps he will fire Hegseth and maybe some other Cabinet members as well. Perhaps he will even resign (in return for a pardon) and leave his mess for J.D. Vance to try to clean up. Whatever happens, it won’t be pretty. Two more years before the horizon brightens.

A pastor who was killed by a falling sign at a Christian festival in West Sussex has been identified. Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, paid tribute to Robert Guanco, 41, after he was killed by a large wooden sign at Big Church Festival (BCF) near Steyning on Friday afternoon.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

For starters, I suggest the following as criteria for an entity to define itself as a religion, applicable to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

It must have a distinctive name.

It must have an objective that is beneficial to American society;

It must consist of a body or at least five individuals who are citizens of the United States;

It must have a written statement of beliefs, to which that minimum of five adherents agree;

Its written statement must express a belief in some form of metaphysical entity or dimension;

It must have a uniform time and place of meeting at least monthly.

I am quite certain that some will disagree with the criteria I have proposed. My objective is to initiate a discussion about the subject of what defines religion. There are too many scams that deceive and victimize people, too many scams that exploit society and too many religions that obtain unwarranted privilege for its proponents. I think we should find a way to provide for religious belief without impinging on the rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

Among the consequences of the bulldozed path and the fence are the despoilation of the beautiful, pristine landscape, the destruction of indigenous sites of great importance to the native people of the region, the ruination of certain historical sites, and the harmful effect it will have on wildlife habitat, movement and migration routes. Bib Bend is a National Park and, while allowing provision for visitation roads and facilities, this does nothing to improve visitation or the visitor experience. In fact, this action would have a negative effect of the enjoyment of the Park. It will, hopefully, end with this intrusion and the landscape should be restored to its original condition. Please contact your Congressional Representative and demand cessation and restoration.

Trump is the aberrant character that he is, one of that class of self-designated individuals who, fearing inadequacy and incompetence, must insist on his own worth by contemptuously denigrating all others. He must make courageous claims to superiority in order to justify his right to exist – and seek to punish all those who fail to acknowledge his superiority. Given the power he commands and the disillusionment and rejections he is now experiencing from his followers as well as his long-time detractors, Trump is becoming more dangerous and threatening to everyone.

As Hitler was facing his denouement, he called for the destruction of Paris and then Berlin in an effort to destroy everything around him together with his own fate. In the same manner, with Trump facing his own wreckage and dismantling, he needs to be prevented from bulldozing more than the East Wing and the Kennedy Center. With his tariffs, his alienation of friends and his threats to voting, he jeopardizes the future of American society. So, maybe, Robert Reich is right. Just maybe we need to acknowledge that he is “stark-raving mad” - and the Republican members of Congress and Trump’s Cabinet need to acknowledge that and invoke the 15^th Amendment.

President Donald J. Trump announced in April that he was planning to renovate the reflecting pool and on May 7 said it would take a week and cost about $1.8 million. By May 8 the cost had jumped to $13.1 million, with the contract awarded on a no-bid basis to a prior Trump contractor. Trump has insisted that the damage to the pool was the work of vandals, despite the conclusion of the Interior department that is was faulty and hurried installation and despite contrary evidence. Trump also failed to note that he subsequently took a drive with several vehicles through the emptied pool, doing further damage to the installed lining. Still, with Piro’s dismissal of the case and no other evidence or support, Trump insists the pool’s failure was the result of vandalism. I guess he must have gone over to the pool, gotten down on his knees and discovered the 300-foot slice that only he could see. Or, maybe he saw the vandals out of the windows of the White House, through the trees. At least he’s consistent – but wrong (once again).

China’s population is also aging, due to increases in the average longevity of its people and the decrease of its birthrate. Combined with AI technology, what this means for the Chinese economy is an increase in unemployment and an increased need for China to find ways to support an aging population.

Efforts by the Chinese government to reverse this trend by encouraging families to increase their family size have largely failed to accomplish that goal.

It is widely assumed that the outcome of the November election will restore Democratic control of the U.S. House of Representatives and perhaps also the U.S. Senate, incapacitating President Donald Trump from signing pejorative legislation over the remaining two years he has in office. Trump is aware of this and will certainly do whatever he can in the next four months to inflict further damage to American democracy. Most importantly, although the Constitution assigns the responsibility for conducting elections to the states, he will attempt to interfere with the electoral system in order to preserve at least one House of Congress for Republican control.

Trump has much to lose if Congress falls under Democratic control following the mid-term election – and perhaps more to fear from a Democratic Administration if a Democratic President is elected in 2028, aided also by a Democratic Congress. So, the next four months are critical – and it can be assumed that Trump and his Republican party will do whatever they can to wreak havoc.

Trump and his fellow Republicans assume that putting roadblocks in the way of voters, that it is Democrats who will suffer losses and that Republicans will gain. On the premise that it is Democratic voters who will not bother to go to their polling stations, Trump has also attempted to eliminate mail-in voting, an effort that has been nullified by the courts. Failing that, we have witnessed Trump’s attempt to obtain the voter rolls from several states, presumably in order to challenge the legitimacy of voters who can be identified as likely Democratic voters. This effort is being resisted by most state election officials where it has been attempted.

Obviously, Trump’s monuments to his ego will be pushed forward as quickly as possible: the White House Ballroom, the 250-foot arch, the Hero’s Garden, the Washington park conversions, the Smithsonian’s exhibit constraints, the Reflection pool repairs, the Trump dollar images, the B-747-8 plane conversion, etc. He will insist that the Department of Justice move rapidly with the indictments of those he considers his political enemies. Deportations of children and long-time undocumented residents will also be stepped up. And there will be more ICE shootings of innocent people that will be explained away without indictments. It is also likely that he will interfere with funding for major projects such as the Hudson River tunnel and the California train corridor through the Central Valley.

The greatest threats are those involving international affairs, such as the U.S. action toward Ukraine and the military engagement against Iran. As Trump ages and his approval rating continues to slide into the low 30s, his vindictiveness appears to grow more intense and he seems to be flailing about more wildly and without sensibility – and out of control. He is viciously attacking those Republicans who differ with him and he relies on those sycophants who will confirm his worst ideas and actions.

Over the next four months, American voters need to demonstrate their opposition to Trumpism and to the Republican legislative candidates, particularly Republican incumbents, who are seeking to be elected but who must be defeated so they can no longer yield to Trump’s policies and mandates. They can do this by participating in street protests, rallies and demonstrations, by writing letters to their local newspapers, by supporting Democratic candidates with contri-butions, by writing post cards and letters, by calling radio talk shows, and by talking with neighbors. This is a fight for American democracy and for establishing a permanent standard for truth, justice, fairness, dignity and patriotism.

DONALD Trump is not the first American President to take the country into war. There have been a number of instances when the U.S. has been the aggressor. In 1846, President James Polk took the country into war with Mexico in a dispute over the Texas border with Mexico. President William McKinley led the country into the Spanish-Americana War in 1898. President Wilson, after being elected on the promise to keep American out of the war in Europe, declared entry into World War I in 1918. And Ronald Reagan initiated the attack on the tiny island nation of Grenada in 1953. So, the U.S. has played the roe of aggressor on multiple occasions, even though there have been mitigating reasons that have prompted those actions. Some arguably justified, some but all involving national interests. But, when the U.S. initiated bombing attacks on Iran earlier this year, there had been no provocation that, any way, justified that bombing.

It has gone on now for several months, even though federal law requires that such action be limited to 90 days without Congressional approval. Congress has not given such approval – so the military action that continues is outside the law and should be regarded as criminal. The Trump Administration claims this is not a war but just a police action, although President Trump has called the action a war on several occasions. Furthermore, such an aggressive action fits the definition of war. The White House and the Pentagon have also claimed that, because there was a pause in the bombing, that the 60-day expiry period started over when bombing resumed.

Trump has much to lose if Congress falls under Democratic control following the mid-term election – and perhaps more to fear from a Democratic Administration if a Democratic President is elected in 2028, aided also by a Democratic Congress. So, the next four months are critical – and it can be assumed that Trump and his Republican party will do whatever they can to wreak havoc.

Trump and his fellow Republicans assume that putting roadblocks in the way of voters, that it is Democrats who will suffer losses and that Republicans will gain. On the premise that it is Democratic voters who will not bother to go to their polling stations, Trump has also attempted to eliminate mail-in voting, an effort that has been nullified by the courts. Failing that, we have witnessed Trump’s attempt to obtain the voter rolls from several states, presumably in order to challenge the legitimacy of voters who can be identified as likely Democratic voters. This effort is being resisted by most state election officials where it has been attempted.

Obviously, Trump’s monuments to his ego will be pushed forward as quickly as possible: the White House Ballroom, the 250-foot arch, the Hero’s Garden, the Washington park conversions, the Smithsonian’s exhibit constraints, the Reflection pool repairs, the Trump dollar images, the B-747-8 plane conversion, etc. He will insist that the Department of Justice move rapidly with the indictments of those he considers his political enemies. Deportations of children and long-time undocumented residents will also be stepped up. And there will be more ICE shootings of innocent people that will be explained away without indictments. It is also likely that he will interfere with funding for major projects such as the Hudson River tunnel and the California train corridor through the Central Valley.

The greatest threats are those involving international affairs, such as the U.S. action toward Ukraine and the military engagement against Iran. As Trump ages and his approval rating continues to slide into the low 30s, his vindictiveness appears to grow more intense and he seems to be flailing about more wildly and without sensibility – and out of control. He is viciously attacking those Republicans who differ with him and he relies on those sycophants who will confirm his worst ideas and actions.

Over the next four months, American voters need to demonstrate their opposition to Trumpism and to the Republican legislative candidates, particularly Republicans incumbents, who are seeking to be elected but who must be defeated so they can no longer yield to Trump’s policies and mandates. They can do this by participating in street protests, rallies and demonstrations, by writing letters to their local newspapers, by supporting Democratic candidates with contri-butions, by writing post cards and letters, by calling radio talk shows, and by talking with neighbors. This is a fight for American democracy and for establishing a permanent standard for truth, justice, fairness, dignity and patriotism.

Trump and his fellow Republicans assume that putting roadblocks in the way of voters, that it is Democrats who will suffer losses and that Republicans will gain. On the premise that it is Democratic voters who will not bother to go to their polling stations, Trump has also attempted to eliminate mail-in voting, an effort that has been nullified by the courts. Failing that, we have witnessed Trump’s attempt to obtain the voter rolls from several states, presumably in order to challenge the legitimacy of voters who can be identified as likely Democratic voters. This effort is being resisted by most state election officials where it has been attempted.

But Trump has much to lose if Congress falls under Democratic control following the mid-term election – and perhaps more to fear from a Democratic Administration if a Democratic President is elected in 2028, aided also by a Democratic Congress. So, the next four months are critical – and it can be assumed that Trump and his Republican party will do whatever they can to wreak havoc.

Obviously, Trump’s monuments to his ego will be pushed forward as quickly as possible: the White House Ballroom, the 250-foot arch, the Hero’s Garden, the Washington park conversions, the Smithsonian constraints, the Reflection pool repairs, the Trump dollar images, the B-747-8 plane conversion, etc. He will insist that the Department of Justice move rapidly with the indictments of those he considers his political enemies. Deportations of children and long-time undocumented residents will also be stepped up. And there will be more ICE shootings of innocent people that will be explained away without indictments. It is also likely that he will interfere with funding for major projects such as the Hudson River tunnel and the California train corridor through the Central Valley.

The greatest threats are those involving international affairs, such as the U.S. action toward Ukraine and the military engagement against Iran. As Trump ages and his approval rating continues to slide into the low 30s, his vindictiveness appears to grow more intense and he seems to be flailing about more wildly and without sensibility – and out of control. He is viciously attacking those Republicans who differ with him and he relies on those sycophants who will confirm his worst ideas and actions.

Recently, there has been speculation that Russia (i.e. Putin) could open a second front against another of its neighbors (such as Poland or Estonia). And there has been inquiry about Russia’s ability to sustain the Ukrainian campaign when military recruitment of added soldiers is becoming more problematic. There are even questions about Putin’s ability to hold on to power. Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia’s resources are becoming more and more effective and Russia’s ability to respond is apparently diminishing. It’s doubtful that this conflict will still be going for long into 2027. Whether Ukraine will survive with every thing it wants or will need to compromise to obtain peace will be of great interest and involve widespread implications for the rest of Europe. Hope for the best but, at least, hope for the war to end soon.

So, one wonders what ICE’s intentions are/were to establish these multiple prison-like facilities that would hold thousands of detainees, most of whom would be immigrants awaiting deportation. What was ICE’s intention regarding filling up these detention centers? From where would they get these large numbers of detainees? What extreme measures would ICE take to round up those people who would fill up these centers? And whose rights would be violated?

Anyway, it appears ICE has just decided to shut down the program, at least, the expansion of the program. The Alligator Alcatraz center in Florida is closing – and perhaps others as well. ICE will need to find some other way to spend the $80 million or so it was funded in the Big Beautiful Bill that was signed into law in July, 2025, offering a huge expansion of its workforce officers. Since they have been restrained from kidnapping people off of the street, how will they spend their time? Oops! Someone’s knocking on my door.

During Donald Trump’s first term as President, he increased the federal debt by a trillion dollars which was attributable to his tax cuts for the wealthy. Now, during his second term as President, he has further increased the federal debt after less than one year in office to $38.43 Trillion as of the end of 2025. Trump’s penchant for spending U.S. taxpayer money in the year ahead is attributable to the $29 billion for the war against Iran, the $257 million for the Kennedy Center renovation, the Garden of Heroes in Washington, estimated to cost $100 million, the acquisition and privatization of the public golf courses in Washington at a currently unknown cost, the disastrous Reflecting Pool improvements costing much more than the original $14 million due repair costs now revealed, the Victory Arch costing well more than $100 million, the $400 million luxury refurbishment of the Bombardier jet plane gifted by the Emir of Oman, and the White House Ballroom estimated now to cost upwards of another billion dollars. And, with his Big, Beautiful Bill, he intends further tax cuts for his wealthy friends (and himself). It appears that Trump is now obsessed with finding more and more ways to satisfy his ego and increase the federal debt.

For many years, Republicans have accused Democrats of being profligate spenders while posing (falsely) as the party championing frugality. While the federal debt has increased under Republican Presidents ever since the end of World War II, no President has come close to the dramatic increases accomplished under the Presidency of Donald Trump.

Now there seems to be a counter movement that is being led by Larry Ellison who is not only discouraging others from signing the Pledge but even asking those who have signed the Pledge to renege and rescind their commitment.

The motivation of those making their pledge is varied. For some, it is merely a desire to benefit those causes that they regard as fostering activities in which they believe. For others, it is a way to avoid internal family disputes. And for some, it is regarded as an effective way to prevent the federal government from acquiring their wealth via the estate tax to use the money for purposes they disdain such as welfare payments. Some even feel their offspring should use their own resources to provide for themselves rather than inherit wealth from their parents.

For those who wish to apply their wealth to accomplish certain objectives not only during their lifetimes but beyond, there are many diverse choices, ranging from educational or scientific pursuits to social objectives such as food and sheltering for the poor and refugees, from preservation of natural habitats to legal defense resources. The breadth and scope of worthy causes is endless and wealthy people will harbor their preferences based on their own experiences and biases.

An argument can be made that wealthy people have become so not merely due to their own ingenuity and good fortune but that they have benefitted from their social environment – and it is only appropriate that it is only proper that they recompense society for making their wealth accumulation possible. When the Gates and Buffet initiated the Giving Pledge concept, that is what they had in mind. When Larry Ellison counters that, he is only exhibiting his own selfishness and disdain not only for government but for organizations that are focused on providing for gaps that society has failed to address.

Trump’s War Against Iran $29 Billion and counting - now ten times that

Kenedy Center Renovation $200 million - $257 million, now $600 million

White House Ballroom $200 M - now $1 B

Victory Arch $100 M and heading skyward

Garden of Heroes (50 statues) $100 M – Just for starters

Reflecting Pool improvements $1.8 M - $13.1 M – now a disaster

Washington Park Golf Courses – acquisition & privatization - $?

Coins & Images Retooling and Distribution ?

Trump Library, Florida $300 M - $900 M

Alcatraz prison restoration $152 million – Just for starters

B-1 Bombardier Airplane renovation $200 million - $1 billion

Each should be evaluated with respect to these criteria by a proper entity that has responsibility. How important is it? What is its necessity? What is the cost-benefit ratio? How will it benefit the American people?

Yesterday marked the Opening Day and Ribbon Cutting for the Barak Obama Center in Chicago. It was a remarkably festive occasion attended by all of the living past Presidents (Trump excluded), notable politicians and diplomats, well-known entertainers, a few of whom performed, and many others. Today is opening day for the center with mobs of other people coming from miles around to be part of this historic event. Trump is no doubt seething in jealousy.

About a week ago, Donald Trump accused former President Barak Obama of treason, a specious charge if ever there was one. This charge followed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s release of a sheaf of documents charging Obama with interference in the 2016 election by soliciting Russian involvement. This makes no sense since Russia’s efforts actually supported Trump – and it was Hillary Clinton who ran opposite Trump in 2016, not Obama. Obama should sue Trump for this outrageous accusation – even though a President can’t be sued while in office. But, it’s not likely Obama will want to bother with this pointless distraction – and just ignore Trump and his mindless assertion.

Obama’s remarks about the essence and essentials of democracy are a clear contrast with anything that Trump says publicly these days. Obama is still articulate, energetic, smart, intelligent and devoted to seeing the country survive its present trials with a subservient Congress and a demented, ignorant and anarchistic President at the helm.

Trump’s tariffs have been paid by the domestic partners and recipients of the imported produce3r and manufactured produces made elsewhere, not by the companies in countries that have exported those goods. Ultimately, those costs are paid by the American people and companies who purchase these products – as reflected in higher prices. While future prices can be lowered to inflict this recession of these tariffs, refunds for past purchases will not be feasible. Furthermore, once the retail price of a commodity is raised, it is usually not like to be lowered.

As we have seen, the economic consequence of Trump’s tariff policy is an inflation rate much exceeding that of the final years of the previous Biden Administration. But Trump has a habit of eliding/stating the contrary of what is actually true – and claims prices are coming down – when they are, in reality, not doing so. In the past, Trump has been able to sell his contra-truth to his followers. Now, people have an experience in the retail stores that is clearly at variance with Trump’s allegations – with the result that Trump’s approval rating on his economic policy is down about 33% and trending lower. How the smaller tier of voters can continue to embrace Trump is a mystery when there is little evidence that their lives are better now than previously under the Democratic Biden Administration.

Never before have we seen a Cabinet meeting where the attendees grovel before the sleeping giant, awarding him with undeserved plaudits and accolades so as to remain in his good graces and retain the job for which they are grossly unqualified, don’t deserve and, in most cases, are poorly executing. One wonders if they are deceived into believing he is the greatest President in history or if they realize he is a disaster as the leader of the United States and are just doing what they believe they need to do to retain a job that they will need to relinquish in another 2 ½ years – if not before. One wonders what has happened to personal integrity and just how comfortable they can be in their role, participating in the decline of the United States and the grift they must perpetrate upon the American people.

In November of 2024, Trump was elected on the premise (his promise) that he would reverse the inflation trend, reduce prices at the grocery store (and gas station), institute a reasonable immigration policy, refrain from engaging in foreign wars, and stimulate the American economy. He has reneged on all of these promises and initiated numerous projects to glorify himself and turn Washington into a panoply of monuments to himself. That these projects are being widely criticized if not truncated is testament to his foolish ineptitude and ignorance. That Republican members of Congress are beginning to withdraw from his orbit and even rebel is a reflection on his misguided self-image, unpopularity and widespread repugnance, even among many of his MAGA devotees. He even seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel to find replacements for positions where officials quit voluntarily or are fired.

In contrast with those Cabinet officers who served under President Joe Biden, people who were focusing on service to their country, we now have Cabinet people who seek their positions so they can secure Trump’s blessing and enjoy the favors of public office at taxpayer expense. Honest appraisal, truthful assessment and personal integrity are values they are willing to sacrifice to bask in Trump’s good graces. They should remember that Trump loses interest in issues, projects and people after a while and either exiles or dumps them, even occasionally vilifying them, blackballing them and ruining their reputations. How many of these people wish they had never, ever heard of Donald Trump, or become associated with him?

Trump’s latest foray into Never, Never Land is a challenge for even his most ardent supporters. He has proposed giving a monetary reward to those who stormed the Capitol on January 6^th, 2021, fought with the police, damaged the building ($1 million to repair) and threatened the members of Congress and the U.S. Vice President. This is a bridge too far for even his most dedicated followers and certainly for some Republican members of Congress. But apparently around 35% of the voting public and fawning members of Trump’s Cabinet still embrace him. For what reason one can only speculate.

Never before have we seen a Cabinet meeting where the attendees grovel before the sleeping giant, awarding him with undeserved plaudits and accolades so as to remain in his good graces and retain the job for which they are grossly unqualified, don’t deserve and, in most cases, are poorly executing. One wonders if they are deceived into believing he is the greatest President in history or if they realize he is a disaster as the leader of the United States and are just doing what they believe they need to do to retain a job that they will need to relinquish in another 2 ½ years – if not before. One wonders what has happened to personal integrity and just how comfortable they can be in their role, participating in the decline of the United States and the grift they must perpetrate upon the American people.

In November of 2024, Trump was elected on the premise (his promise) that he would reverse the inflation trend, reduce prices at the grocery store (and gas station), institute a reasonable immigration policy, refrain from engaging in foreign wars, and stimulate the American economy. He has reneged on all of these promises and initiated numerous projects to glorify himself and turn Washington into a panoply of monuments to himself. That these projects are being widely criticized if not truncated is testament to his foolish ineptitude and ignorance. That Republican members of Congress are beginning to withdraw from his orbit and even rebel is a reflection on his misguided self-image, unpopularity and widespread repugnance, even among many of his MAGA devotees. He even seems to be scraping the bottom of the barrel to find replacements for positions where officials quit voluntarily or are fired.

In contrast with those Cabinet officers who served under President Joe Biden, people who were focusing on service to their country, we now have Cabinet people who seek their positions so they can secure Trump’s blessing and enjoy the favors of public office at taxpayer expense. Honest appraisal, truthful assessment and personal integrity are values they are willing to sacrifice to bask in Trump’s good graces. Fortunately, those who are willing to sacrifice those values are diminishing in number