Month: January 2026

Trump Action Against, And Plans For Venezuela, A Violation Of International Law, And Revives Image Of US Imperialism In Western Hemisphere!

Ronald 5 Comments

The decision of Donald Trump and his Cabinet to take military action to remove Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela, and fly him and his wife to the United States for trial on drug charges, is a brazen action against international law, and encourages similar military actions by Russia (Ukraine), and China (Taiwan) in their so called “Spheres of Influence”.

While one cannot be sad about Maduro being removed from power, it seems clear that Trump intends for the US to control the future of Venezuela for an extended period of time, instead of handing over control to Venezuelan political leaders.

The aim is clear, to control and exploit the vast oil reserves of Venezuela for American benefit.

This action of military intervention was done without consultation with Congress, and violates the War Powers Act of 1973, and it gives the US the old image of being the Imperialist nation in Latin America, which has a long, disgraceful history for the past two centuries.

To believe that the takeover militarily by the United States will occur without any reaction within Venezuela is to believe in fairy tales, as the economic and personal cost of American military lives is quite certain in a negative fashion.

For a President who had claimed he believed in isolationism, to switch his views diametrically opposite, makes one realize this is all about money (Oil) and ego!

The Iowa And Kansas Gubernatorial Races 2026

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Two Midwestern states, traditionally Republican, have Gubernatorial races in 2026, where there might be some hope for Democrats.

In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds has decided not to seek a third term, and at this point, Congressman Randy Feenstra is the likely nominee of the Republican Party, while the Democrats have Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who is 43 years old, and has managed to be elected twice since 2018, as the only Democrat winning state wide. Sand is, at this point, leading Feenstra in public opinion polls by a small margin.

In Kansas, Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is term limited, after winning the office in the 2018 “Blue Wave” election and gaining a second term in 2022.

Ethan Corson, a member of the State Senate and age 43, is the most likely Democratic nominee, but Kansas is strongly Republican, so it is unlikely, based upon history, that Corson will be able to win the Governorship, although he has been endorsed by Governor Kelly. Additionally, Kansas State Senator Cindy Holscher is competing for the Governorship.

A number of Republican state officeholders are seeking the nomination of their party, including Ty Masterson, the President of the Kansas State Senate; Vicki Schmidt, the Kansas Insurance Commissioner; and Scott Schwab, the Kansas Secretary of State.

It would seem that Iowa might go Democratic, but Kansas seems likely to return the Governorship to the Republican party.

The Inspirational Inaugural Address Of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani

Ronald 3 Comments

The inaugural address of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on New Year’s Day was inspirational, and there is a need for critics to pause, and give the young Democratic Socialist Mayor an opportunity to promote his programs, before going on the attack.

To this author and blogger, Mamdani reminded him in many ways of Barack Obama and his Inaugural Address in 2009.

The youngest NYC Mayor in more than a century; the first South Asian and Muslim Mayor; and a rare immigrant Mayor—sworn in by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, demonstrated his charisma and commitment to his ideas, which some see as attacking billionaires and oligarchs, who clearly see him as a threat.

Also, the Jewish population is concerned due to Mamdani’s Muslim religion, including being sworn in on a Quran, rather than a Bible. Also, the fact that the new Mayor has been harshly critical of Israel’s massive war on Gaza, which led to more than 70,000 deaths, with many seen as avoidable, has caused great stress.

Many might think that his “Socialist” goals are “pie in the sky”, but the thought is that his ideas and programs should be given a chance to succeed, as the voting population was strongly in favor of his election.

In any case, Mamdani’s Mayoralty has to be better than the disastrous tenure of now former Mayor Eric Adams over the past four years, with lots of corruption and conflicts of interest.

Two Former Republicans Running As Democrats In Gubernatorial Races In Georgia And Florida

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In the highly significant states of Georgia and Florida, with Republican Governors retiring, there is a hopeful opportunity for two former Republicans who have switched to the Democratic Party due to Donald Trump’s abuses, to compete for their states’ governorships.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp is term limited, and Democrats are seen as having a good chance to gain the Governorship, even though the state legislature is heavily Republican.

The Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, is a possible Republican choice, who had to deal with Donald Trump’s attempt to try to fix the Georgia Presidential election results in 2020, and refused to cooperate with Trump.

But Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, in office in the present term, is favored in public opinion polls and in endorsements, having succeeded former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who repudiated his Republican ties and has become a Democrat. He is one of two most likely Democratic choices, with the other being former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, with Bottoms at this point way ahead in endorsements and polling.

In the state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited, and the Republican Party has two major competitors to succeed him as the party nominee. They are Northern Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, and former State Speaker of the House Paul Renner, but with present short term Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins possibly entering the race, supposedly with the backing of Governor DeSantis.

Donalds is, at this point, way ahead in polling and endorsements, but subject to possible changes

The Democrats, who have not won the governorship since 1994, see their best chance with former Republican Congressman David Jolly, who has heavy polling and endorsement support, but will have a challenge from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Sadly, in both Georgia and Florida, it will be a major accomplishment if the Democrats win either race, with the odds in Florida a bit better, as polls indicate a tight race between Donalds and Jolly at this point.