Month: November 2025

What Kinda Fresh Bullsh*t Is This?

We all know that the GOP hates education and its has been trying to eliminate it for decades and then along came Donny and his Magic Sharpie and out came the cleaver to the policies.

First putting a wrestling window in charge of education is about as stupid as putting a pedophile in charge of day care…..it is moronic.

Now these twats have gone further and naming what is a professional degree….hint nursing is not…..

Nursing is no longer considered a “professional” degree under the Trump administration. The change, along with the elimination of a longstanding loan program for graduate and professional students, has sparked outrage from several nursing organizations.

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s new federal student loan-related changes under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” nursing has been excluded from the group of programs that are considered “professional” degrees, and a loan program for graduate students has been marked for elimination.

The changes have created new fears about how students, and particularly students seeking post-baccalaureate nursing degrees, will finance their education — and several organizations have already voiced their disapproval and concern at the updates.

In early November, the department made several alterations that impact federal student loans, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education. “In total, negotiators reviewed and agreed to 17 regulatory provisions,” per the release, including a “new and simplified” Repayment Assistance Plan and “the definition of a professional student.”

https://people.com/nursing-is-not-a-professional-degree-under-president-donald-trumps-new-bill-11855209

This policy is stupid.

In case you are interested….nurses are not alone in this whack job….

https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-degrees-professional-trump-administration-11085695

It is sad that this group of idiots in charge decide who is a professional….hint:  maybe everyone in the cabinet should be put on this list and we could weed out a bit of incompetency.

Why is this attack on students and the student loan situation so damn important to a bunch of micro-mental toads?

Leave it to the GOP to stop poor people from getting and education and those that do are in debt for most of the rest of their life.

These people make me sick.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

This Ukraine Thing…..

Russia/Ukraine conflict has been going on for years and just last year we were promised if Donald the Orange was elected he would end it on Day One….

Now we had a deal brewing to end it and Donny was all a tither about his plan….then over the weekend things went from thumbs up to in the crapper….or so the story goes.

American and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a new draft of the US proposal to end the war on Ukraine, while President Trump criticized Ukraine and his administration pushed back against charges that it’s really Russia’s plan. At the talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that progress had been made, the Washington Post reports. “We’ve had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process,” he said, adding that changes have been made to the plan. Despite the president’s earlier complaint, Rubio said Trump is now pleased with the way the talks are going, per the BBC. Developments include:

  • Trump’s post: As the talks began, Trump reissued a criticism of Ukraine’s leaders, per the New York Times, posting in all caps that “Ukraine’s ‘leadership’ has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts.” He also criticized Joe Biden and European nations, but not Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answered a few hours later, posting, “We are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we keep working as constructively as possible.”
  • Russia’s role: Ukraine was not involved in drafting the plan presented by the US, but there are accusations that Russia was. A group of senators who were in Canada for a security conference on Saturday said Rubio had told them on the phone that the drafting of the plan was not led by the US, per the AP. “It is essentially the wish list of the Russians,” Independent Sen. Angus King said. Republican Sen. Mike Rounds, who also was on the call, said: “It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan.”
  • Administration answers: “The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations,” Rubio posted later on X. A State Department spokesman called the senators’ account “blatantly false,” and White House officials said the plan “was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians.”
  • Democratic opposition: Sen. Mark Warner ripped the Trump plan on ABC News’ This Week, saying that it looks like a list of “Russian talking points,” per the Post. “It would make Neville Chamberlain’s giving in to Hitler—the outset of World War II—look strong in comparison,” he added, per the Hill. The US plan reportedly would require Ukraine to reduce its military, surrender territory, and bar NATO troops from the country.
  • Zelensky’s appeal: The president wrote a lengthy social media post that said Russia started the war and refuses to stop it, warning other nations could face its aggression next. In addition to thanking Trump and the American people, Zelensky expressed gratitude to the European and G20 nations that have provided assistance, per the BBC. He then added: “It is important not to forget the main goal—to stop Russia’s war and prevent it from ever igniting again. And to achieve that, peace must be dignified.”

So Day One slipping away yet again…..

But not to worry the meetings will go on….and on…..and on….

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

 

Last Week At The Sh*t Show–23Nov25

Last week Donny had a few doozeys when he opened his mouth….there was the threat of hanging anyone that disobeyed him, his infamous ‘piggy’ comment….just to mention a few….

After Dems released a video telling generals not to obey his orders he went ballistic….

President Trump is steaming mad over a video made by six Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of “seditious behavior” that is “punishable by death.” The details:

  • The video: The Democratic video is addressed to US troops and members of the intelligence community, and it encourages them to “refuse illegal orders” to go after “American citizens,” reports Politico. “Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution,” they say. “Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear—you can refuse illegal orders.”
  • The six: Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, along with Reps. Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, and Chris Deluzio are in the video. All are either military vets or worked in national security roles. The lawmakers did not specify which orders they deem to be illegal.
  • Trump: “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL” the president wrote in a series of Truth Social posts on Thursday. “Their words cannot be allowed to stand—We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.” Another: “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” per Newsweek.
  • Death? In the most stark post, Trump declared: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” He also reposted several slams of the Democrats, including one reading, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”
  • Justice Department: On Wednesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would take a “very close look” at the video, describing it as a “disgusting and inappropriate display of supposed leadership from the Democrat Party,” per CNN.

Good old ‘hanging ’em high’ Donny.

Then he changes course and says he was not threatening the Dems…..

President Trump spoke to Fox News on Friday and clarified his assertion that Democrats who directed a video to service members committed a crime “punishable by death.” The president told Brian Kilmeade that he is not calling for the execution of lawmakers, as some of his critics have said.

  • “I’m not threatening death,” said Trump, per the Guardian. “But I think they’re in serious trouble,” he added.
  • Trump said Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were looking into the video, in which the Democrats told service members they could “refuse illegal orders. “They’re looking into it militarily,” said Trump. “I don’t know for a fact, but I think the military is looking into it, the military courts.”
  • Trump said his original comments were meant to point out that “in the old days, if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death.” He also complained that “it’s a meeker, milder world” these days. “These are people that, in my opinion, broke the law. Now what happens to them, I can’t tell you.”

I love the way he can never get the story straight…..on anything.

Then there was his disgusting insult to a Bloomberg reporter….but what was more disgusting was the whitewash job they tried to lay on….

The White House is defending President Trump’s latest verbal attack on a female journalist, arguing that his bluntness is part of what voters want. In a Thursday briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s “frankness” is why he won a second term, after he called Bloomberg News reporter Catherine Lucey “piggy” aboard Air Force One last Friday, the Washington Post reports. “The president is very frank and honest with everyone in this room. You’ve all seen it yourself. You’ve all experienced it yourselves,” Leavitt told reporters. “And I think it’s one of the many reasons that the American people reelected this president, because of his frankness.”

  • “He calls out fake news when he sees it and gets frustrated with reporters who spread false information,” Leavitt said. “But he also provides unprecedented access to the press and answers questions on a near-daily basis.” Reuters notes she didn’t cite any evidence of false information being reported.

  • “Quiet. Quiet, piggy,” Trump snapped when Lucey asked him about the DOJ’s files on Jeffrey Epstein. The incident has drawn criticism from press advocates and renewed concerns about Trump’s treatment of journalists. “Our White House journalists perform a vital public service, asking questions without fear or favor,” a Bloomberg News spokesperson told the Post this week. “We remain focused on reporting issues of public interest fairly and accurately.”

  • Trump escalated his attacks on the media this week, targeting ABC News’ Mary Bruce at a White House event with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump called Bruce a “terrible person and a terrible reporter,” labeled her network “fake news,” and urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to revoke ABC’s broadcast licenses after Bruce asked Trump and bin Salman about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and asked Trump about the Epstein files.
  • Trump has a long history of lashing out at journalists who question him, particularly women. The Post notes that during his 2016 campaign he said Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly “had blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever” when she questioned him during a debate.
  • “These incidents are not isolated; they are part of an unmistakable pattern of hostility—often directed at women—that undermines the essential role of a free and independent press,” the Society of Professional Journalists said in a statement Wednesday.
  • Trump “very much directs his ire at women, and usually women journalists of color,” Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director of the International Women’s Media Foundation, tells CBC News. “With the obvious intention of shutting them up. Shutting them up on the spot,” Muñoz said. “It’s a well-known playbook. It’s meant to incite. And it’s meant to send a message to everyone around these women: Next time it’s going to be you.”

(I think Donny has a type…..fake blondes)

Just a typical disgusting and pathetic attempt at bullying….and anyone who thinks that was appropriate is as disgusting and pathetic as our so-called leader.

And That Was The Week That Was…..and as usual…..Be Well and Be Safe….

I Read, I Write, You KNow

“lego ergo scribo”

On the international front and Donny warped mental reasoning….

Donald Trump appears to have once again risked triggering an international incident, as he casually hinted at being open to sending military strikes to Mexico and Colombia to combat drugs coming into the United States.

The US president made the controversial statements on Monday (November 17) during a press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

“Would I launch strikes on Mexico to stop drugs? It’s OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs. Mexico is… look, I looked at Mexico City over the weekend. There’s some big problems over there,” Trump began.

“If we had to would we do there what we’ve done to the waterways? You know there is almost no drugs coming through our waterways anymore. Isn’t it down like 85 percent?”

https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-threatens-to-bomb-mexico-and-colombia-039489-20251118

This idiot has NO concept of international detente.

The Trump family loses their pocket change with crypto slide….

Trump Media & Technology Group, the crypto and social media company controlled by members of the first family, has seen its stock price plummet to all-time lows — wiping out more than $5 billion in wealth for the Trumps as cryptocurrencies continue their slide.

Shares of Trump Media, which trades under the ticker DJT, have fallen nearly 70% this year — 34.6% of that just the past month, according to Barron’s.

The stock was down around 1% at $10.76 in early morning trading on Wednesday, a day after it hit an intraday low of $10.32 — the lowest level since fall 2021, the publication noted.

President Trump indirectly owns around 115 million shares of the company, Barron’s reported.

The stock is being held in a trust controlled by his son, Don Jr., who sits on the board.

https://nypost.com/2025/11/19/business/trump-media-stock-crashes-to-all-time-lows-wiping-out-5b-in-first-family-wealth-during-crypto-slide

Not to worry they will figure out a way to steal few billion in return.

The Sh*t Show is just not for Donny and the morons…..the Dems are just as useless….

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution condemning socialism Friday morning, with several Democrats crossing the aisle to rebuke “socialist policies” in the U.S. following Zohran Mamdani’s recent election as the mayor-elect of New York City.

Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure in a 285-98 vote. Two members, Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Pa., and Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., voted present.

Notably, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. — who endorsed Mamdani just days before the mayoral election — also voted in favor of the measure.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., highlights a list of the economic system’s failures and serves as a rebuke of political forces inching toward more socialist platforms. Among other items, it asserts that socialism has led to famine and mass murder under the Cuban Castro regime, the Chinese rule of Mao Zedong, the ongoing Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro and others.

“Resolved by the House of Representatives that Congress denounces socialism in all its forms and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States,” the text reads.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/86-dems-republicans-condemn-socialism-wake-mamdanis-mayoral-victory

What a pack of worthless spineless thugs…..this vote was a waste of time and energy it does nothing to correct all the problems this country is having.  Dems are afraid any hint of socialism will effect their cash cow and that is what is important not the starving children….I am so proud of these slugs.

That ‘famous’ meeting…..after months of sniping at each other what has happened?

With the cameras rolling, the nation’s MAGA president and its largest city’s democratic socialist mayor-elect expressed at least momentary detente on Friday after meeting at the White House—pausing the trading of public insults that has gone on for months. “I feel very confident that he can do a good job,” President Trump said in a joint appearance in the Oval Office, per the New York Times. “It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers,” Zohran Mamdani said, per USA Today.

It wasn’t always like this. While Mamdani was running for mayor of New York City, he and Trump spoke about each other using such endearments as “communist lunatic,” “stupid person,” “despot,” and “fascist,” per the Washington Post. Mamdani even ripped Trump in his victory speech earlier this month. But when a reporter asked Mamdani on Friday about the “despot” accusation, Trump came to his rescue, saying he’d been called worse, per the Wall Street Journal. “That’s OK. You can just say ‘yes,'” Trump said, tapping him on the arm. “It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”

The two stayed away from areas of disagreement in their public comments. The warmth also could reflect Trump’s awareness of Mamdani’s success campaigning on economic policies intended to help the working class, as well as Mamdani’s recognition that some number of his voters had cast their ballots for Trump, per the Post. The Queens natives expressed consensus on ending wars, reducing the cost of living, and getting “Con Edison to start lowering their rates,” as Trump said. “We agree on a lot more than I thought,” the president said. “I expect to be helping him, not hurting him.”

Making nice worries me.

 

 

IST Saturday News Dump–22Nov25

This Saturday I thought I would change things up a bit…..

Local–NO rain for about 2 months….temps in low 80s and low 70s at night….it may sound idyllic but we have 8 months of high temps and humidity so we look forward to some cooler weather…..so far we have been disappointed.

Personal–I got a break until early December from my treatments and then hopefully it will be limited until after the new year.

This first story has lead me change the format a bit….this week I will focus on animals.

A Pennsylvania man is recovering after his dog inadvertently shot him in the back with a shotgun, police say. The incident took place Tuesday night in Shillington, where officers responded to a report of a shooting and found the 53-year-old victim conscious but wounded on the floor, reports ABC News. The man told police he had been cleaning his shotgun and set it on the bed. He then sat down, at which point one of his dogs jumped onto the bed, apparently triggering the firearm. “He’s not sure what stage of cleaning he was in at the time, so it’s [unclear] if the dog’s paw may have gotten caught inside the trigger and the safety was off,” or if there was perhaps a malfunction,” Cpl. Michael Schoone tells WFMZ.

The Berks County man was struck in the lower back, cops say. Paramedics transported him to nearby Reading Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery, reports WHP. Police said he was expected to need at least one more operation, though it’s not known exactly how badly he’s hurt, ABC notes. The Shillington Police Department described the shooting as accidental but noted that the incident remains under investigation. “Obviously, you should be treating every weapon as if it’s loaded,” Schoone says.

First of all….what kind of idiot cleans a loaded gun?

That story lead me to look at the stupid that people do when wildlife is involved….

This guy is an idiot and should be barred from any national park.

Proves the old saying ‘can’t fix stupid’….are selfies that important?

A bear shares snacks with a child…

This wolf uses brains for a meal….

I recently wrote about a wild fox that became interested in a guy playing a guitar on a hillside….so I thought I would show just how interesting foxes can be….

This fox found a dog toy and had a bit of fun….

Next we have a pack of fox pups playing…..

Wolf pups with dad….

So even animals have grumpy old men.

Then I read a report with some troubling news in it…..California is killing wolves….

California wildlife officials have confirmed the existence of a new wolf pack in southern Plumas County, bringing the state’s total number of wolf packs back to 10. The new group, known as the Grizzly pack, was given official status after a pup was spotted on a remote trail camera, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s latest report. Officials say evidence of reproduction is one of the criteria for pack status, SFGate reports. The pack includes a male wolf from Oregon and a female from California’s Lassen pack, reports the Los Angeles Times.

  • This is the fourth new pack identified in California this year, a sign that the state’s wolf population continues to recover as wolves from neighboring states like Oregon establish new groups and reproduce. In 2015, official said they were “amazed” to find a wolf pack in the state for the first time in almost a century.
  • The Grizzly pack was found in the remote Sierra Valley, where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range meet. The discovery comes shortly after Fish and Wildlife killed four members of a different pack in the same region due to repeated cattle losses—70 in under six months. It was the first lethal action California had taken against wolves since their return to the state. Despite extensive nonlethal efforts, including drones and 24/7 field teams, officials say the wolves had become “habituated to cattle as a primary food source” instead of their usual prey of elk and deer. Authorities are hoping to relocate any surviving juveniles from the Beyem Seyo pack to sanctuaries.
  • Ranchers like Rick Roberti say the losses were so frequent he stopped reporting them. “Ranchers don’t want to see all the wolves removed, but we do want the right to protect our private property just just like anybody would with property,” Roberti tells SFGate. “We’re not rejoicing. It was bad for the wolves, and it was a terrible summer for us, and stressful financially. But we’re sleeping a little better now.”
  • Axel Hunnicutt, gray wolf coordinator for Fish and Wildlife, says the state’s wolf population is growing and “robust,” with at least 31 pups born the year and the formation of two more packs expected, the Los Angeles Times reports. He says the Whaleback pack had a record 10 pups this year.
  • “This year has brought both joyful and tragic news about wolves’ homecoming to California, but I’m elated there’s a new pack and more than 30 new pups roaming our state,” said Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a news release. “Wolves are still in the early stages of recovery in California and these new arrivals keep their recovery on a positive trajectory.”

So sad that they are being punished for existing.

Finally a very loyal visitor to IST, John and his wife have gone on safari and he has been writing a series on their trip….if you, like animals and truly amazing vistas then please visit his blog…..you will not be disappointed….

Have You Hiked Victoria Falls? Here’s “The Smoke That Thunders” – With Soaking Wet “Moonbows!”

Wow!  This post was truly soothing….I enjoyed writing as much as I did watching the videos…..I hope you were entertained and a bit amazed.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and is preparing for Thanksgiving……and as always….Be Well and Be Safe….

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The “Communist” Comes To Town

Today is the big day….the new mayor of NYC comes to DC to meet with Donny-Do-Little…..if you recall shortly after he was elected Donny demanded that he ‘be nice’ (seriously the most rude and insulting person in government demands others ‘be nice’….he is hilarious)

President Trump said late Wednesday that the long-awaited meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would happen in Washington later this week, setting up an in-person clash between the political polar opposites who for months have antagonized each other from afar, the AP reports. The sit-down, which Trump said on social media would take place Friday in the Oval Office, could possibly represent a detente of sorts between the Republican president and Democratic rising star, as Trump has since Mamdani’s win moved toward acceptance of Mamdani’s central, winning campaign issue of affordability. Calling Mamdani by his full name—and putting the mayor-elect’s middle name of Kwame in quotation marks—Trump posted Wednesday night that Mamdani had asked for the meeting, promising “Further details to follow!”

The day before his visit that idiot press secretary, Leavitt, has stated for the record that Mamdani is a communist and he will come to town…

Geez you people are idiots!

I have explained this numerous times and idiots keep scratching their ass and repeating bullshit….one more time for the morons out there…

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) was formed in 1982 as a bridge between capitalism and socialism….it is neither socialism or communism….is that simple enough?

Experts, however, contend that the DSA’s platform is far removed from the socialism seen in the Soviet Union or Cuba, and in fact, they argue it actually aims to build off America’s Democratic principles.

“Communists want to do away with capitalism altogether. They don’t want any private enterprise. They don’t want any private means of production. And they want a whole world run by people like that,” Michael Kazin, a history professor at Georgetown University, told ABC News. “Democratic socialists are willing to have themselves voted out of power. They believe that once you have a democratic socialist society, people will like that society, but if they don’t want to keep it, then they can go back to a more capitalist society.”

(abcnews.com)

Is that clear now?

So after years of LYING to the public who is afraid of those democratic socialists?

Apparently not many any more…..for years now the DSA has been making headway into the government of the cities, states and nationally….so apparently only morons are afraid.

They are reforming the DNC…..which has needed reforming since the 1990s….but will they succeed?

In conclusion these people are NOT communists or even a true socialist….learn what you are talking about or STFU.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

On The Health Front

This issue has become dear to my heart with all the health issues I am dealing with it is good to keep an eye on who is doing what….

With an election looming I think two of the major issues for the mid-terms will be the economy and health care….with that said let’s look at what Uncle Don has promised us peons as a GOP plan.

Donald Trump is so lost on so many issues that he can’t even understand how lost he is. This is perhaps most evident with his “$20 trillion” in foreign investment. Trump’s wacky number is five times annual investment levels. It is two-thirds of GDP. But none of his aides can get him to stop repeating his imaginary number.

In the wake of the shutdown disaster, Trump seems intent on coming up with some alternative to the subsidies for people to buy insurance in the Obamacare exchanges. Not surprisingly, Trump has almost no knowledge of all the issues and complexities that have come up in the debate on health care reform over the last three decades.

Incredibly, he is completely unaware of his own ignorance. He proposes giving people money and letting them buy either their own health care or their own insurance. (It’s not clear what Trump thinks he is proposing.) Trump seems to think this is an original idea.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/11/19/trumps-new-ideas-on-health-care/

As per normal the GOP has half-baked ideas….

US President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have made a show of criticizing insurance company greed as they stand firm against extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and offer ill-formed alternatives.

But a report published Wednesday by the office of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) explains how a scheme endorsed by Trump and some top Republicans would further enrich insurance giants and big banks.

The report focuses on growing GOP support for a proposal that would give Americans money in tax-advantaged vehicles such as health savings accounts (HSAs) to help cover out-of-pocket costs. Last week, Trump championed the idea in the Oval Office, characterizing the proposal as a way to “forget this Obamacare madness.”

In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump railed against “BIG, FAT, RICH INSURANCE COMPANIES” and doubled down on the idea of funding health savings accounts instead of extending the enhanced ACA tax credits.

But Wyden’s report argues that “no matter how Republicans design their plan, their promise to take money out of the hands of big insurance companies and put it in the hands of patients will go unfulfilled, because the very arrangements they tout are administered by large financial institutions and the same big insurance companies.”

https://www.commondreams.org/news/republican-healthcare-plan

Now some ideas from Dems….as most know I support the idea of Medicare For All and we know that will not happen for god forbid we become healthy people….

Bernie has offered up a few ideas for consideration….

The country’s current debate over ACA subsidies has sparked fresh calls for a shift to government-funded universal healthcare, for which Sanders has long led the fight in Congress. He acknowledged that “while I believe that the long-term solution to the healthcare crisis is Medicare for All, and I appreciate the 16 cosponsors we have on that legislation in the Senate, and the more than 100 cosponsors we have in the House, this bill does not yet have majority support in the Democratic Caucus.”

“The good news, however, is that there are a number of much-needed reforms to the healthcare system that we could offer now that would substantially improve the lives of the American people and are also incredibly popular,” he continued.

Specifically, Sanders called for:

  • Extending the ACA tax credits;
  • Repealing Trump and congressional Republicans’ $1 trillion in cuts to the ACA and Medicaid;
  • Expanding Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing;
  • Cutting the cost of prescription drugs by at least 50% with legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to charge no more for medications in the United States than they do in Europe or Canada;
  • Expanding primary healthcare with investments in the National Health Service Corps as well as community and teaching health centers; and
  • Banning stock buybacks and dividends, and restricting CEO compensation.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/us-healthcare-crisis

Just a few ideas to let my readers know that this is becoming a priority….something that should have been years ago….

Any thoughts?

I Read, I Write, You KNow

“lego ergo scribo”

The World To Come

I have noticed from power bill to power bill that the amount owed is getting stiffer….even now when the A/C is not running the bill continues to rise.

What is going on?

More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep on the lights and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data—a warning sign for the US economy and another political headache for President Trump, the AP reports. Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period. Consumers usually prioritize their utility bills along with their mortgages and auto debt, said Julie Margetta Morgan, the foundation’s president. The increase in both energy costs and delinquencies may suggest that consumers are falling behind on other bills, too.

Nearly 6 million households have utility debt “so severe” that it will soon be reported to collection agencies, according to the foundation’s analysis, drawn from the University of California Consumer Credit Panel. Troubles paying electricity and natural gas bills reflect something of an economic quandary for Trump, who is promoting the buildout of the artificial intelligence industry as a key part of an economic boom he has promised for America. But AI data centers are known for their massive use of electricity, and threaten to further increase utility bills for everyday Americans.

These troubles also come as Trump faces political pressure from voters fed up with the high cost of living. The president spoke about the economy and affordability issues Monday at an event hosted by the McDonald’s fast food company. “We have it almost at the sweet spot and prices are coming down on different things,” Trump said at the event, adding that inflation has been “normalized” at a “low level.” Ever since Republicans saw their fortunes sag in off-year elections this month and affordability was identified as the top issue, Trump has been trying to convince the public that prices are falling. Fast-rising electricity bills could be an issue in some congressional battlegrounds in next year’s midterm elections.

I keep hearing from Donny that energy costs are dropping…..I have not seen such…..how about you?

Maybe that elusive check from Donny will help out.

I Read, I Write, You KNow

“lego ergo scribo”

What’s The Secret?

The news has broken that the US and Russia are in secret meeting hammering out a ceasefire deal for Ukraine….

The Trump administration has been secretly collaborating with Russia on a new peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, according to officials from both countries who spoke to Axios. The proposed plan, which consists of 28 points, is said to be inspired by the Gaza peace deal brokered by President Trump. It covers four main areas: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, broader European security, and the future of US relations with both Russia and Ukraine, according to Axios’ sources. They say Ukraine has not been involved in the negotiations.

The details on how the plan addresses issues such as who controls what territory in eastern Ukraine remain unclear, especially as Russian forces continue to make slow gains in the region. The drafting process is being led by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has spent considerable time in discussions with Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev. Dmitriev, who oversees Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and is heavily involved in Ukraine diplomacy, told Axios he spent three days meeting with Witkoff and other Trump team members in Miami in late October.

We expressed optimism about the plan, saying “the Russian position is really being heard” in this round of negotiations. Dmitriev said the US effort is unrelated to a separate, UK-led push for a Gaza-style plan, which Dmitriev dismisses as disregarding Russia’s positions. Witkoff was expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey, but that meeting has been postponed. However, Witkoff did discuss the plan with Zelensky’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, in Miami. A Ukrainian official acknowledged awareness of US efforts, saying, “We know the Americans are working on something.”

The White House has begun briefing European officials about the plan and believes there is a realistic chance of garnering support from both Ukraine and its European allies, Axios reports. Sources tell Reuters that the US is pressuring Zelensky to accept the main points of the plan, including giving up territory and reducing the size of the country’s military.

Where is Ukraine in all these meetings?

Say there is a deal will Ukraine honor it?

This is a lame attempt to make Uncle Don look like a statesman…..that ship sailed long ago.

Why is Europe not more involved?

At what point is this a fart in the wind?

Thoughts?

I Read, I Write, You KNow

“lego ergo scribo”

His Bully Is Showing (Again)

Donny illustrates his dislike of anyone that questions his moronic decisions…..he illustrates just how infantile and pathetic he truly is….

Just this week he had to show his ass……

A video of an exchange between President Trump and a female reporter late last week is gaining renewed traction because of the president’s blunt cutoff of “Quiet, piggy.” As USA Today reports, it happened aboard Air Force One on Friday. The reporter asked Trump about his name coming up in the Jeffrey Epstein files, and the president downplayed his link to Epstein. Another reporter began asking a question on a different topic, but the first reporter kept going with a follow-up question. At which point, Trump pointed at her and said, “Quiet, quiet piggy,” per Deadline.

The Guardian notes that the exchange didn’t draw much attention at first, but a backlash has been brewing among other journalists. “Disgusting and degrading,” tweeted former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. “Disgusting and completely unacceptable,” wrote CNN anchor Jake Tapper alongside a clip of the incident. The female reporter works for Bloomberg News, and neither she nor the news organization has responded to the insult publicly.

Why has Bloomberg not defended their employee?

Uncle Don was not finished belittling journalists….

President Trump denounced ABC News’ Mary Bruce as a “terrible reporter” Tuesday and threatened the network’s license to broadcast after she asked him three sharp questions at the White House. The network’s chief White House correspondent was among reporters let into the Oval Office to question the president and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the AP reports. She asked Trump whether it was appropriate for his family to be doing business in Saudi Arabia while he was president.

  • Before he could answer, she directed a question to the Saudi leader: “Your Royal Highness, the US intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist. 9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr. President.”
  • After asking Bruce who she worked for, Trump called ABC “fake news” and defended his family’s business operations in Saudi Arabia. The president dismissed the US intelligence finding that the prince likely had some culpability in the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi kingdom. He said “a lot of people didn’t like” Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen and a Virginia resident. For his part, Prince Mohammed said it had been “painful” to hear about Khashoggi’s death, Reuters reports. “We’ve improved our system to be sure that nothing happened like that,” he said. “And it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake.”
  • Trump later criticized Bruce for asking the prince a “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.” He laced into her after a third query, about why the White House is waiting for congressional action to the Justice Department’s files on Jeffrey Epstein. “Why not just do it now?” Bruce asked.
  • It’s not the question that I mind,” Trump said. “It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask these questions.” After addressing the Epstein question, he returned to Bruce, saying that “people are wise to your hoax.” “I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and it’s so wrong,” he said. “And we have a great (FCC) commissioner, the chairman, who should look at that because I think when you come in and you’re 97% negative to Trump. And then Trump wins the election in a landslide. That means, obviously, your news is not credible. And you’re not credible as a reporter.”

Basically Donny had this to say about the assassination….”Shit happens” (paraphrased)

This ‘person’ is losing it…..maybe has already lost it….recently he went on a tear about a fish sandwich….

President Donald Trump interrupted his own scrambled attempt to elucidate his affordability pitch to talk about his favorite sandwich.

“I like the fish,” said a hoarser-than-usual Trump while speaking at the McDonald’s National Impact Summit in Washington Monday night. He waved his hand and released a throaty hiss, ostensibly to mime the fish he liked.

“I like it. You could do a little bit more tartar sauce though, please. Seriously. I hate when I say, ‘Do you have any tartar sauce? Do you understand that? Yes, he understands that.’”

(newrepublic.com)

Who gives a crap about his damn sandwich…..he cannot stay on topic….

His mind is wandering or quite possibly gone.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The CIA’s Drug Trade

It seems the CIA just canno0t keep its fingers out of the drug trade….now they are involved in the opium production…..

The US is deploying aggressive—and very public—methods these days in its war on international drugs. It’s a sharp contrast to a secret tactic used years ago in Afghanistan that the Washington Post is revealing for the first time. It seems the CIA secretly dropped modified seeds on poppy fields between 2004 and 2015, with the goal of making the resulting heroin less potent. The covert operation, run by the CIA’s Crime and Narcotics Center, was so secretive that many senior officials in the Pentagon and State Department were unaware it existed.

And did it work? The best answer seems to be, kind of. “There was a sense that it worked, but maybe over time, it worked less well,” one former US official familiar with the program tells the newspaper. It was also expensive to run, a big factor in why it ended—”the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze,” is how the official puts it. Still, he calls it “an example of creative, out-of-the-box thinking by the agency. … It was dealing with a problem in a non-kinetic, nonmilitary way.”

Throughout the broader US-led counter-narcotics campaign, American agencies disagreed on the best strategy, with proposals ranging from aerial herbicide spraying to buying up the Afghan crop for pharmaceutical use. The CIA’s secret seed operation took place amid these debates, but official assessments ultimately concluded that no US or allied effort led to lasting reductions in Afghan poppy cultivation or opium production. Read the full story, which notes that the seeds were not believed to have been modified genetically. Instead, they were selectively bred to be less heroin-friendly.

Is this one of their famous ‘cover stories’?

The agency’s history tells a different story…..they have not always been part of the War on Drugs…..they actually were involved in the distribution to help pay for their covert operations.

I am not convinced that they are not part of the opium trade.

How about you?  Does this give one confidence that the CIA is acting in a way that will help the war on drugs?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”