Major Political Split Emerging Regarding US-Israel War On Iran

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The decision of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to wage war on Iran is causing a major political split.

The fact that Trump and his Cabinet did not consult with Congress up front and ask for backing through the War Powers Act of 1973;

that Trump has lied about the so called “imminent” threat Iran presented to American national security;

that Trump and his Cabinet chose not to be interviewed by news media this weekend after the first day of military action;

that Trump has totally reversed his former stand against getting involved in military interventions as a critic of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars in the past;

that anger is rising among the general public, as early polls show only 25 percent of those polled support the intervention;

that Trump seemed not to have much empathy about the loss of life of military personnel, when he personally avoided military service by claiming “bone spurs”;

all this and more is creating a major political crisis that is unlikely to go away anytime soon, and the prospect of greatly increased oil prices as a result of the widening Middle East War, with other nations in the area being drawn into it, adds to the complicated crisis.

Already, within his party, Trump has angered Kentucky Senator Rand Paul; Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie; former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene who was a MAGA supporter, and also, commentator Tucker Carlson, and this is just the beginning, in less than 48 hours after the war has begun.

At the same time, while most Democrats are opposed to the war, some are supportive, causing a split in that political party as well, including

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida
Congressman Tom Suozzi of New York
Congressman Greg Landsman of Ohio
Congressman Henry Cuellar of Texas

The fact that some Democrats are supportive of the war means when and if a War Powers Resolution comes up for a vote, it could undermine the ability to gain a majority of support for such action.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made clear on Monday morning, the third day of the war, that there would be no holding back on the war effort, creating a likely constitutional crisis as Donald Trump and company pursue their goals in league with Israel, despite the fact that diplomacy was in process, and had not been given a full chance to work.

So the image of Donald Trump, “The Dove”, which caused many MAGA Republicans in the voting population to support him in 2024, is in tatters.

A major political division is likely to grow wider as the war continues, without any assurance of avoiding disarray in an area of the world notable for instability.

That only complicates the issue of what will happen politically in the Midterm Elections of 2026 and the Presidential Election of 2028.

And the announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom that the British government is not in support of the war, and believe in a negotiated settlement, is a stunning blow to the mission pursued by Trump and Netanyahu. It is highly unusual, that our closest ally in Europe would come out openly in the House of Commons and criticize and refuse support of the war effort.

Donald Trump has made clear in his press conference that there is the possibility of ground troops being sent into combat in the Middle East if that is seen as necessary.

So it seems potentially possible that America could be engaging in what will become a major long term conflict, similar to what occurred in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, further dividing and complicating American politics in the near term and long term!

Sadly, The US-Israeli War Against Iran Will Cause Rising Antisemitism, Endangering World Wide Jewry, Including In America!

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Sadly, the US-Israel War Against Iran, while it has led to the death of the Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who was certainly a major detriment, will cause rising antisemitism worldwide, endangering world wide Jewry, including in America.

Ironically, there is a major split in both Israel and international Jewry, including American Jews, toward the right wing government of the nation of Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest serving Israeli leader in the nation’s history.

Many blame Netanyahu for the horrendous October 7, 2023 Massacre by Hamas, which killed about 1200 Israelis and foreigners, and which led to the more than two year war that has killed about 72,000 Palestinians, and also a massive number of journalists who have engaged in reporting the horrors of that war.

The criticism is that Netanyahu failed to provide adequate security for the threat of a Hamas attack, and has not been willing to take responsibility for the tragedy, and is using the horrors of that day to sustain himself in power without formal accountability.

Younger Jews in America are often major critics of Israel’s government, and there is a noticeable split between AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), which is totally supportive of Zionism and the Israeli government, and the J Street advocacy group, which is highly critical of Israel’s government and extremist Zionism.

J Street has promoted co-existence and a two state solution, and is against expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and for a more democratic Israel, seeing Netanyahu as a horrible leader, and angry he has not been held accountable for the security lapses that led to the October 7 tragedy. Netanyahu has been on trial in Israel for corruption for a few years, but still leads the government, and there has been no real investigation of the October 7 lapses.

So sadly, there is a growing threat against Jewish organizations, institutions, and individuals from extremism of all kinds, both in America and worldwide.

A Massive Crisis As US And Israel Wage War On Iran, Throwing Mideast Into Chaos!

Ronald 35 Comments

What seemed evident has occurred, as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel have this morning waged war on Iran, throwing the Mideast into chaos, and endangering stability of not only that area, but also the entire world, and also, endangering American national security itself!

Negotiations were going on with Iran, which was having discussions with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, neither officially in the government, to prevent them from trying to develop nuclear power that could, in theory, but without substance, someday lead to nuclear weapons. So what is clear is that “Regime Change” is the goal of this military intervention.

But all of a sudden, war is waged in the midst of the negotiations, and it seems clear it is designed to take pressure off Donald Trump regarding the “Epstein Files”, with the growing indication that Trump engaged in rape and abuse of underage girls over the years with the support of the despicable Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Trump did not go to Congress to gain backing for what he is doing, violating the War Powers Act, and he has demonstrated that his earlier professed “isolationist” views on foreign policy in his first term, have now been obliterated as he has proved to be an extreme aggressor in his year and more of his second term, including:

removing Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela without allowing opposition leaders to replace him;

threatened seizure of Greenland from Denmark;

has spoken of retaking the Panama Canal from Panama despite the Panama Canal Treaty that gave it back to Panama in the year 2000;

talked about Canada becoming the “51st State”;

has waged tariff wars against all nations, and in so doing, alienated our NATO allies and our Asian allies;

and has been belligerent toward international organizations, including the United Nations, but also so many other groups.

This development can be seen as promoting the goal of Trump to rally American “patriots” in support, and therefore, allow him to insure that his Republican Party, with the additional plan for action to interfere in the Midterm Elections of 2026, insure that the Democratic Party would be unable to gain control of either house of Congress. That would guarantee that Trump’s determination to control absolute power escalates ever more.

What is perfectly clear is that the war waged on Iran will not resolve itself in the short term, will not be equivalent of a Venezuela situation, and likely will require combat troops in the Middle East once again, at potential great cost of life on all sides including Americans, and will be a massive budget buster, harming our long range economic outlook.

So what millions of Americans did by electing Donald Trump, demonstrates how short sighted, lacking in knowledge, and often pure ignorance they were. So the long term battle for America for the long term, the battle for democracy and the rule of law, suffers ever further!

The Age Issue In Congress

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A total of 24 members of Congress in 2026 are over the age of 80, and 13 of them are planning to remain in Congress, if the voters agree in this upcoming Midterm Election of 2026.

Among those leaving are:

Nancy Pelosi of California, former Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, age 85
Steny Hoyer of Maryland, former Democratic House Majority Leader, age 86
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, former Republican Senate Majority Leader, age 84
Dick Durbin of Illinois, Senate Democratic Whip, age 81

Among those 80 or over who are remaining in Congress, and are running for reelection are:

James Clyburn of South Carolina, former Democratic House Whip, age 85
Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, Republican Congresswoman, age 82
Maxine Waters of California, Democratic Congresswoman, age 87
Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Democratic Senator, age 84
Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Republican Senate President Pro Tempore, age 92
Jim Risch of Idaho, Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, age 82
Angus King of Maine, Independent Senator, age 82
Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Democratic Senator, age 80
Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Democratic Senator, age 80

While age alone should not be the only factor in judging who should be in Congress at an advanced age, it is perceived that Congress, overall, is out of touch with the vast number of Americans of younger generations!

The Massive Defiance By Federal Judges Of Donald Trump, Including His Own Judicial Appointments!

Ronald 41 Comments

When the Supreme Court by a vote of 6-3 rejected Donald Trump’s tariffs as outside his rights, as it is up to Congress to decide on tariff policy, the President lashed out at those members of the Court who were part of the majority, including two of his appointments, Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, along with Chief Justice John Roberts.

But the record shows that federal judges, including appointments by all Presidents since Ronald Reagan, and even Trump appointments, have been active in rejecting another policy that is crucial to Trump’s agenda, mass detention and deportations of illegal immigrants, but also legal immigrants and even citizens by the abuses of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

More than 100 legal challenges to this abusive policy have been filed daily in recent weeks, and as of mid February 2026, at least 373 federal judges have ruled against the administration’s mass detention policies, ordering release or bond hearings in more than 1,600 cases. At the same time, ONLY 28 judges, including 20 appointed by Trump, have sided with the administration’s position. And 44 Trump “judges” have been included in those who have ruled against its positions on mass detention. And a total of 3500 cases have been rejected overall, and only 150 cases supportive of the Trump policy.

The record shows that 122 Joe Biden appointments have ruled against the Trump Administration, and 112 Barack Obama appointments have also done so. The remaining rejections have seen 38 Bill Clinton judges, and a total of 43 George W. Bush judges, and 7 judges each appointed by Presidents George H W Bush, and Ronald Reagan.

But sadly, if a Circuit Court rules against what District Court judges have done, it can reverse the actions of those lower courts, so the battle for constitutional rights is a major crisis long term at this point!

Most Divisive, Lie Filled, Polarizing State Of The Union Speech In American Presidential History!

Ronald 37 Comments

Donald Trump has created the most divisive, lie filled, polarizing State of the Union speech in the entire history of the Presidency last evening!

It was a torture watching it, and seeing how Trump set out to create an ever bigger chasm than he has himself created in the first year of his second term in the White House.

Lies, deception, distortion, hate, manipulation of facts and truth were rampant from the beginning through to the long bitter end, of what became the longest ranting speech ever delivered by an American President, at one hour 48 minutes.

Trump has created an alternate reality, and his party is in lockstep with his deception and lies, demonstrating that they have no ethics, morals, or scruples, as all they desire is to keep power, promote autocracy and oligarchy, and clearly have no conscience.

Instead of trying to appeal for bipartisan support, instead, Trump went out of his way to attack the Democratic opposition, and act in a totally unPresidential manner. This included attacks on immigrants and on the Gay community, totally outrageous and divisive. His attacks on Somalians in Minnesota, and his claim that “illegal aliens” are the major crime threat, rather than people born in America, were total falsehoods, but plays to his MAGA supporters.

It was telling that only four Supreme Court Justices, including three who voted against his tariff policy—Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan—along with Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh—showed up for the address, and all four sat stone faced, in what had to be a difficult moment for them.

It was shocking how Trump has no concept of math when he made statements on economic matters that indicate total ignorance of percentages, and his economic statistics were totally delusional, not the real world reality.

Trump lives in an alternate reality, and the thought that, in theory, the nation has to deal with this dangerous delusionist for three more years, is terrifying.

His statement about fighting fraud, and that such work done by Vice President JD Vance, would lead to balancing the budget, is totally off the wall, and ignores his own personal fraudulent activities, including enriching himself by at least a billion dollars in this past year, against the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

Trump has no concern about the harm done by his Presidency to civil liberties, racial equality, economic opportunity, and environmental protection, and he demonstrated how immature he really is, as he aligns himself with authoritarian regimes around the world, instead of promoting democracy at home and abroad!

What was more inspirational was the official Democratic response to the State of the Union, by newly inaugurated Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, truly outstanding in her presentation, and giving her more national exposure.

The American people are likely to be outraged at large about Trump’s speech, and it helps promote the likelihood of a Democratic victory in November, hopefully in both houses of Congress!

Dire Threat Of War With Iran, As Donald Trump Displays Again His Reckless Side!

Ronald 8 Comments

Donald Trump ran for the Presidency in 2016 as a critic of the Iraq War and Afghanistan War under George W. Bush, and dragging on beyond Bush’s time in office.

Trump was clearly sounding like an isolationist, but now he is displaying an imperialist, aggressive foreign policy, totally opposite of what he professed ten years ago.

Trump has enjoyed showing his ability to bomb countries; invade and overthrow the leader of Venezuela; and side with dictators around the world.

Now, he is flirting dangerously with inciting war with Iran, even though his own military leadership is reported to be highly doubtful that such a military invasion would work out any better than it was with Iraq and Afghanistan.

For a person who evaded the draft based on “Bone Spurs”, he is acting a lot like Vladimir Putin of Russia.

And there seems to be no desire to have Congress play a role in such a military adventure, and therefore, to ignore the War Powers Act of 1973, which admittedly, has not been able to control Presidents when they decide to intervene overseas.

It will be interesting to see what Donald Trump says, or does not say, about Iran tonight in the State of the Union Address.

However, it seems clear that America is about to embark on a very reckless mission, not realizing that the size of the area and population of Iran, four times larger than Iraq, is a danger zone, and could escalate into a massive Middle East War with Arab nations drawn into it, as well as Israel.

America could end up involved in a morass that will last years, and while Iran is a problem with the potential for nuclear military development, it is seen by many as a “fool’s errand” to engage in what could be a long, drawn out war, with heavy casualties and major effects on the national debt over many years.

More Turnover In Congress As Lawmakers Choose To Leave!

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With the Midterm Elections 2026 about eight months away, there is more massive turnover than has been seen in the past.

Out of the 535 members of Congress in both houses, an amazing total of 68, about one of every eight members, are choosing to leave.

In the US Senate, eight members are retiring, while four others are running to be their states’ governors. Four Democrats and four Republicans are leaving for retirement, while two Democrats and two Republicans are running for governor.

In the House of Representatives, 50 members are leaving, with retirements being 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans for a total of 23, while 27 others (8 Democrats and 19 Republicans) are running for Governor or Senator).

Many of those retiring are leaving due to their ages, but others because of disillusionment as to what Congress can accomplish in a divided nation, which is more so than since the 1960s.

As State Of The Union Address Occurs, Donald Trump’s Ratings Are Rapidly In Decline!

Ronald 65 Comments

President Donald Trump is about to give his State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress this Tuesday, February 24, just as public opinion ratings demonstrate that he is rapidly declining in support among many voter groups.

As it is, his ratings have been, depending on the poll, as low as 36 percent positive, and at best 40 percent.

The issues of the economy (Affordability), the Epstein Files Scandal, the horrors of ICE, the Health Care cuts, and now, the Supreme Court rejection of his tariffs, are all weighing on him, as he lashes out at his critics, and has personally attacked the Justices who rejected his tariffs, particularly two of his own appointments—Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett—along with Chief Justice John Roberts.

Also, Trump’s aggressive foreign policy is also alienating many voters, and his unstable rants and attacks on his critics alarm many Americans.

Various groups that made the mistake to support him in the Presidential Election of 2024 are turning strongly against him.

This includes:

White Women
Latinos
Working Class Non White Voters
Young Men
College Educated Suburban Voters

The strong Democratic gains in the off year elections in November 2025, and the gaining of seats in state legislatures and other offices in areas traditionally Republican in special elections, is also an alarm bell in the night for the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026.

Even with mid decade redistricting occurring in Texas and elsewhere at Donald Trump’s insistence, the likelihood of Democrats taking back the House of Representatives majority, and even having a growing possibility of regaining the Senate majority, is seen as strong.

We are seeing Americans alarmed at the threat of interference by the Trump Administration on the issue of the right to vote, and attempts to restrict those who can vote.

This includes the fear that ICE might have agents at voting locations, which would be a massive threat designed to intimidate voters.

Supreme Court Finally Upholds The Constitution, And Rebukes Donald Trump On Tariffs!

Ronald 22 Comments

After acting totally submissive toward Donald Trump in his first year of his second term, finally the Supreme Court majority, including two Trump appointees—Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, along with Chief Justice John Roberts and the three Democratic women justices–have delivered a solid rebuke to Trump on the subject of protective tariffs.

This is long overdue, as the Court has developed a reputation as the most extreme right wing Court in a century, and Chief Justice Roberts presides over a majority which usually has no desire to challenge executive power of the President.

This dangerous trend, hopefully, will continue to be challenged in future cases, particularly on birthright citizenship rights, which are contained in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified after the Civil War.

Donald Trump does not care about the reality that protective tariffs are a disaster, as they were in causing the Panic of 1893 and the Great Depression of the 1930s, because Republican Presidents Benjamin Harrison (prodded on by future President William McKinley’s promotion of high tariffs) and Herbert Hoover stubbornly imposed them on the American people, destroying the economy.

With the economy not doing well, despite Trump’s delusional statements, this repudation of Trump’s tariffs should be seen as a blessing by him, as well as the American people.

But instead, Trump is railing against his own Republican Justices who have “defied” him, and one wonders how it will show up in his State of the Union Address next Tuesday.

Will he openly condemn Roberts, Gorsuch, and Barrett in his speech, or will he be diplomatic and maybe just lightly tease them?

This should be a very interesting moment of confrontation between the Supreme Court members who show up and the President of the United States!

It reminds one of past clashes of Presidents and Supreme Courts, including under Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson with Chief Justice John Marshall; Abraham Lincoln with Chief Justice Roger Taney; Franklin D. Roosevelt with the majority conservative Court and Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes during the New Deal; and other controversies involving Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon and Barack Obama and Supreme Court decisions!

The $175 Billion raised in tariffs this past year were a financial burden on the American consumers, and should be returned to the American people with a refund per taxpayer of $1700, as suggested by Illinois Governor JD Pritzker. However, it seems that Trump has no concern of the damage done to the average American, while constantly engaged in grift for personal gain, having enriched himself in the past year, a crime against the Constitution!