Monthly Archives: January 2026

GOOD ‘OL BOYS

23 Friday Jan 2026

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The old men sit around in

their group, drinking coffee.

They are laughing and guffawing

and topping each other’s

stories about how about and way back when.

When they were this and when

they were that, their lives, their loves,

their girlfriends.

Everyone having a bigger story than the last guy.

Harry sits there and laughs with them,

his hollowed out eyes a testament of the

fire raging inside his body, about to burn itself out.

He knows his laugh is empty as his fingers his cup.

Quietly, gently, the bird of prey sent

by the Angel of Death softly flaps its

wings and lands on his shoulder, silently.

He doesn’t appear to notice, but really, he

knows it’s there.

The men drink their coffee and laugh,

unconcerned.

Softly the bird sinks it’s claws into Harry’s

shoulder and with a mighty flap of those

night darkened wings, lifts him up and away.

The men in the group don’t seem to notice,

slapping each other on the back, it’s time to leave,

until next time.

cew 2015

Trump continues to poke the bear, antagonize the dragon, and aggravate Muslim nations. His desire to become a new military leader like Washington or Eisenhower becomes evident.

15 Thursday Jan 2026

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The United States is Deliberately Sabotaging its Image Abroad by Gutting USAGM

The United States is Deliberately Sabotaging its Image Abroad by Gutting USAGM

Posted By Matthew Wallin on Mar 21, 2025 – ASP – American Security Project

In his second inaugural address, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed, “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world.” While this may be the president’s stated intent, the actions thus far undertaken in pursuit of this goal are completely counterproductive.

Last Friday, the Trump administration issued a new executive order effectively gutting the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), dismantling America’s long-standing international broadcasters like Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. These institutions, which championed American principles, provided hope and aspiration to people in countries full of despair, and have been fundamental in supporting efforts to strengthen democracy and understanding of America all around the world. They have been key elements in generating the global respect for the United States that Trump champions. By informing the world about America, and providing quality journalism for people in countries without strong or independent media, these entities were essential to the United States’ victory in the Cold War and promoted the establishment of functioning democracies and allies for our country.

There are countless stories and data documenting people who received or still get their news from America’s government-funded broadcasters, and who can personally attest to their importance and influence. Charged with providing accurate news and information to people who otherwise might not have it, these catalysts of American influence have left an indelible impression on people yearning for real news and information. With USAGM audiences numbering greater than 400 million worldwide, the reach was enormous. But apparently, the Trump administration does not consider this worthwhile, even as China spends “at least $3 billion per year on international media” compared to the relatively meager $950 million budget request by USAGM for FY2025. Without USAGM, the U.S. is effectively ceding the information space to the oppressive regimes of Russia, China, and Iran.

This is, of course, just the latest in a deliberate effort to disarm America’s soft power capabilities and sabotage its image abroad. Russia, China, and Iran are engaged in a massive international effort to make the world safe for autocracy, and the United States just decided to disband its most effective forces against this endeavor. With the destruction of USAID, and the Congress’ refusal to stand up for the budget that it previously approved to support its vital mission, it’s as if China had succeeded in convincing the U.S. government to surrender all its best tools for commanding respect, goodwill, and influence abroad. Meanwhile, China continues to seed and cultivate its own influence through the Belt and Road, all while America looks the other way.

America’s soft power is what makes it different from its adversaries. Rather than coercing, cajoling, and corrupting countries around the world, American foreign policy should be based on attracting, asking, and advising. The United States should attract because there is inherent good and value in our system and working with the United States is preferable to falling prey to authoritarian interests. Asking (not telling) signals respect to those our country wishes to influence—by listening and demonstrating that the U.S. genuinely values them as partners, we create lower-risk environments that build life-long trade and security relationships. By advising, we offer our own expertise to improving quality of life and governance abroad, instilling American values to create partnerships that ultimately make the world a safer and more secure place. The alternative is infinitely more expensive and deadly—just ask Russia.

Trumps works to destabilize the government; may seek to go President for Life

08 Thursday Jan 2026

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Review of the various things Trump has done to destabilize the American economy and gain the upper hand for himself and his cronies. It has been suggested that he resign. Likely that he will not go without a fight.

Below is an overview of the main ways Donald Trump has been criticized for destabilizing the economy and breaking or violating laws.

I. Ways Trump Has Destabilized the Economy

1. Trade Wars and Tariffs

  • Imposed sweeping tariffs on China, the EU, Canada, and others.
  • Resulted in:
    • Higher prices for U.S. consumers and manufacturers
    • Retaliatory tariffs that hurt U.S. farmers and exporters
    • Billions in government farm bailouts to offset losses
  • Economists widely agree the trade war reduced GDP growth and increased inflationary pressure.

2. Undermining Confidence in Institutions

  • Repeatedly attacked:
    • The Federal Reserve
    • Federal agencies
    • Courts and regulators
  • Public pressure on the Fed to manipulate interest rates weakened perceptions of U.S. monetary independence—something markets rely on for stability.

3. Government Shutdowns

  • Triggered the longest government shutdown in U.S. history (2018–2019) over border wall funding.
  • Shutdown consequences:
    • Hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or unpaid
    • Billions lost in economic output
    • Reduced investor confidence in U.S. governance

4. Massive Increase in National Debt

  • Signed large tax cuts (2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) without offsetting spending cuts.
  • Even before COVID, deficits rose sharply.
  • National debt increased by ~$8 trillion during his presidency.
  • Undermined claims of fiscal responsibility and increased long-term economic risk.

5. COVID-19 Economic Mismanagement

  • Downplayed the pandemic early, creating uncertainty and delayed response.
  • Mixed messaging undermined consumer and business confidence.
  • Result:
    • Sharp market volatility
    • Historic job losses in 2020
    • Slower and more chaotic initial economic recovery than peer nations

II. Laws Trump Has Broken or Been Found Liable For

1. Criminal Conviction (2024)

  • Convicted on 34 felony counts in New York for falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments during the 2016 election.
  • This is a criminal conviction, not an allegation.

2. Civil Fraud Judgment (New York)

  • Found liable for business fraud for inflating asset values to obtain favorable loans and insurance.
  • Ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and interest.
  • Court found a persistent pattern of deception, not a one-time mistake.

3. Campaign Finance Violations (Related Conduct)

  • Hush-money scheme involved illegal campaign contributions (payments intended to influence the election).
  • Trump was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in earlier filings.
  • His lawyer, Michael Cohen, went to prison for the same scheme.

4. Obstruction and Abuse of Power (Impeachments)

Trump was impeached twice by the U.S. House:

First impeachment (2019):

  • Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
  • Pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival

Second impeachment (2021):

  • Incitement of insurrection related to January 6

While the Senate did not convict, impeachment itself confirms serious constitutional violations were formally charged.

5. Election Subversion Efforts

  • Pressured state officials to “find votes”
  • Promoted false claims of election fraud
  • Encouraged alternate elector schemes
  • These actions directly undermined democratic norms and market confidence in political stability

(Some related criminal cases were pending, dismissed, or appealed depending on jurisdiction as of 2025.)

III. Why This Matters Economically

Markets depend on:

  • Rule of law
  • Predictable governance
  • Institutional trust

Trump’s actions—legal violations, norm-breaking, and economic unpredictability—increase risk premiums, discourage investment, and weaken long-term economic stability.

None of this addresses his repeated attempts to hush the opposition and to silence his most active critics. The latest invastion of Venezuela shows his disregard of Congress and their important role in okaying military force against other nations. Trump will not resign and will oppose any measures to get him out of office. The American people need to get clear on the real threat he poses to the American democracy and our way of life. cew

Peter Hegseth Has to Go!

08 Thursday Jan 2026

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…Ideas

Pete Hegseth Needs to Go—Now

A man with such contempt for the military should not run the Pentagon.

By Tom Nichols

Mark Peterson / Redux

December 1, 2025

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Presidents have always sent people to lead the Pentagon who respect the institutions and personnel of the armed forces, not least because Americans tend to bristle at any sign that an administration does not unreservedly support the men and women of the U.S. military. (Just ask Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, both of whom were castigated for such supposed disrespect.) In his first term, Donald Trump sent General James Mattis, a veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then, when Mattis quit, he appointed a long-serving defense professional, Mark Esper.

But this time, the president found a perfect instrument of destruction to send across the Potomac: Pete Hegseth, a Trump sycophant who served in the military, topped out at the mid-level rank of major, and left full of bitterness and resentment toward a military establishment that clearly didn’t value his brilliance and fortitude.