This author, scholar, and blogger will not be posting for about a week, as I will be visiting Philadelphia, where I have been before, but not for more than a decade, to celebrate the upcoming Semiquincentennial Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, officially taking place on July 4, 2026.
Among the sites to be visited are Independence National Historical Park, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, and the Museum of the American Revolution, but also other historic sites in a city, Philadelphia, much underrated as a great tourist city.
This author and blogger is well aware that a lot can happen, much of it likely regrettable, but upon return, commentary on events and personalities will resume.
Have a nice trip.
Harris gives her clearest signal she is mounting a 2028 presidential bid
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/kamala-harris-signals-2028-bid-00867069
Sounds like the end of Swalwell’s career.
Exclusive: Four women describe sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, including a former staffer who says he raped her
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs
Jeffries, Pelosi and other Democrats call on Eric Swalwell to end governor campaign
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/eric-swalwell-house-democrats-00867951
4 Takeaways From the First Big Gathering of Potential 2028 Democratic Candidates
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/politics/democrats-president-2028-sharpton-convention-takeaways.html
Reps. Swalwell and Gonzales set to face expulsion votes
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/11/eric-swalwell-expel-tony-gonzales-sexual-misconduct
Eric Swalwell ends bid for California governor after sexual misconduct allegations
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/12/politics/eric-swalwell-ends-campaign-california-governor
Sudden GOP infighting explodes over bipartisan immigration reform bill
“Under Salazar’s plan, those in the country illegally prior to 2021 — and who do not have criminal records — would have to pay $7,000 in restitution and any back taxes owed and would also not be eligible for welfare programs, but they would get a new legal status. The bill itself would not provide them a path to citizenship.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5828030-immigration-reform-gop-divides/
What a pathetic party.
‘It’s all we have to run on’: GOP looks to tout tax cuts as war overtakes Hill agenda
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/congress-tax-day-iran-war-00868002
A year later, we are just starting to understand how DOGE worked
Depositions offer insight into what Elon Musk’s group was up to. Members describe a club-like atmosphere in which they slashed agencies with little oversight.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/13/doge-musk-trump-deposition-videos-chatgpt/
If/when Democrats come back into power, every one of these motherf***ers needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
AOC wrestles with left-wing Dems as 2028 decision looms
“One liberal strategist told Axios that AOC has ‘lamented that the left was not there for her, that they are never pleased.’”
Forgot the link. Here’s the corrected post.
AOC wrestles with left-wing Dems as 2028 decision looms
“One liberal strategist told Axios that AOC has ‘lamented that the left was not there for her, that they are never pleased.’”
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/12/aoc-progressives-2028-democrats
Of course the far left will never be pleased and never really be there for Democrats, it’s just who they are…
Good riddance to Swalwell; now he needs to resign from Congress, IMMEDIATELY!
How Did California Democrats Let Eric Swalwell Get This Far, Anyway?
“They surely knew about his misconduct ages ago. And more broadly, California Democrats aren’t doing their party any favors.”
https://newrepublic.com/article/208972/democrats-boot-eric-swalwell-california
Any others behaving like this in Congress should be named/shamed/ousted/etc.
Swalwell is going to resign from Congress.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-resign-from-congress-00869957
Early voting points to an edge for Virginia Democrats trying to enact a US House map that could flip four seats
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/14/politics/virginia-redistricting-gerrymandering-early-voting
Rep. Tony Gonzales says he plans to retire from Congress
The embattled Republican lawmaker has faced mounting scrutiny over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving former staffers.
https://www.ms.now/news/rep-tony-gonzales-says-he-plans-to-retire-from-congress
Are we heading for ‘super El Niño’ – and what could we expect?
“Experts say climate pattern could supercharge extreme weather events and push temperatures to record highs”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer
‘Suddenly, boom, it’s completely warm’: summers are getting longer – especially in Sydney, study finds
“Researchers examined trends in 10 global cities, with Sydney’s summer growing at two-and-a-half times the average”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/14/summers-are-longer-more-intense-temperatures
Same here in the US. It’s mid April and we’re having highs in the 90s this week. I dread what the summer months are going to be like.
Absolutely APPALLING; disgraceful by Norway.
Norway Reopens Annual Whale Hunt Despite Pressure to End Commercial Whaling
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/14042026/norway-reopens-commercial-whaling-despite-demand-decline/
The Internet’s Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril
“As major news outlets cut off the Wayback Machine, journalists and advocacy groups are rallying to protect the Internet Archive’s vast collection of web pages.”
https://www.wired.com/story/the-internets-most-powerful-archiving-tool-is-in-mortal-peril/
Meta Is Warned That Facial Recognition Glasses Will Arm Sexual Predators
https://www.wired.com/story/meta-ray-ban-oakley-smart-glasses-no-face-recognition-civil-society/
Trump’s federal workforce changes cost the economy more than $165.6B, analysis finds
https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2026/04/trumps-federal-workforce-changes-cost-economy-more-1656b-analysis-finds/412818/
Judge tosses Trump’s lawsuit against WSJ over Epstein letter
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/trump-lawsuit-wsj-dismissed
Eric Swalwell’s exit adds fresh uncertainty to California governor’s race
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/eric-swalwells-exit-adds-fresh-uncertainty-california-governors-race-rcna331504
Pride Flag Can Fly at Stonewall After Trump Administration Reversal
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/nyregion/pride-flag-stonewall-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.alA.O3on.bNtR-C-pj51X&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Trump says he’ll fire Powell next month if he stays in his role at the Fed
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/15/economy/powell-trump-fire-fed-chair
Prosecutors Make Surprise Visit to Fed as Pirro Defends Investigation
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/us/politics/pirro-federal-reserve-investigation.html
(It’s completely indefensible and disgraceful.
Inside a jubilant DC conference where ‘the climate deniers are in charge now’
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/14/dc-conference-climate-deniers-trump-epa-chief
Climate denial should, in a sane country, be an automatic disqualifier for holding any public office – or any position of power – EVER.
Dozens of Project 2025 proposals appear to be included in the Trump administration’s newest budget
https://www.mediamatters.org/project-2025/dozens-project-2025-proposals-appear-be-included-trump-administrations-newest-budget
We are living in a nightmarish, dystopian timeline.
Thune says Senate GOP ‘prepared’ to fill potential Supreme Court vacancy
“The president is interested in Sen. Ted Cruz as a potential pick”
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/14/congress/thune-ready-to-fill-possible-scotus-vacancy-00871750
Ted Cruz???? Heck f’ing no!!!
Another pardoned Jan. 6 rioter to admit guilt in child sexual abuse case
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/another-pardoned-jan-6-rioter-admit-guilt-child-sexual-abuse-case-rcna331841
Absolutely APPALLING!
Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys
https://apnews.com/article/proud-boys-oath-keepers-convictions-dropped-doj-ad679108ab84083694261efc101e60ea
Ilhan Omar Pushes Democrats To Embrace Marjorie Taylor Greene, Other MAGA Stars Ditching Trump
https://www.mediaite.com/media/podcasts/ilhan-omar-pushes-democrats-to-embrace-maga-stars-who-ditching-trump-like-marjorie-taylor-greene/
Absolutely not re: embracing Marjorie Taylor Greene!
Erika Kirk withdraws from event with JD Vance over threats, VP says
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/erika-kirk-withdraws-event-with-jd-vance-over-threats-vp-says-2026-04-14/
JD Vance Humiliated by Embarrassing Crowd Size at Free Show
https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vance-humiliated-by-embarrassing-crowd-size-at-free-show/
FEMA Official Gregg Phillips—the Waffle House Guy—Has Been Saying Even Crazier Stuff Than We Thought
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a71017816/fema-official-gregg-phillips-waffle-house-removed-from-post/
LOL! Dr. Oz says Trump thinks diet soda kills cancer cells.
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/mehmet-oz-says-trump-told-him-that-diet-soda-might-help-kill-cancer-cells
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife and then himself in apparent murder-suicide.
https://www.ms.now/news/former-lt-gov-justin-fairfax-shoots-wife-himself-virginia-police
My goodness. That’s horrible and tragic.
Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought
“Scientists say finding is ‘very concerning’ as collapse would be catastrophic for Europe, Africa and the Americas”
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/15/critical-atlantic-current-significantly-more-likely-to-collapse-than-thought
In a sane world, we’d be in the midst of an emergency, crash program to get off of fossil fuels ASAP! But we do NOT live in a sane world by any means.
Appalling.
Trump administration pushes nations to sign ‘trade over aid’ declaration
“In a cable sent to U.S. embassies, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on countries to approve a measure that explicitly rejects America’s history as a leading provider of humanitarian assistance and other support to the developing world.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/15/trump-un-trade-over-aid/
House opposes Trump on immigration with move to help Haitians
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/04/15/haiti-tps-trump/
A journalist filmed an ICE protest at a Minnesota church. Then federal agents showed up at her door
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/16/minnesota-journalist-charged-ice-protest
Completely, wildly unAmerican and total bullsh*t.
Tillis vows to keep blocking Fed nominee and says Trump should apologize for pope attacks
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/tillis-vows-keep-blocking-fed-nominee-says-trump-apologize-pope-attack-rcna258751
Clarence Thomas WILDLY wrong yet again.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas blasts progressivism as threat to America
https://abcnews.com/Politics/supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-blasts-progressivism-threat/story?id=132084353
Re: Trump’s diet soda belief
Trump is BY FAR the stupidest president – idiocracy, basically – in modern US history, certainly in the 20th and 21st centuries…
Russ Vought Confronted By Democrats For Constantly Breaking Laws
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/russ-vought-illegal-budget-actions-democrats_n_69deeb91e4b0f26bda62896f
This guy seems completely detached from reality, also a fanatic.
Key Trump lawyer who tried to overturn 2020 election permanently disbarred
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/key-trump-lawyer-who-tried-to-overturn-2020-election-permanently-disbarred/
This took WAAAAYYY too long; should have been immediate back in 2020.
Talarico Leads a Democratic Cash Surge: 7 Takeaways From 2026 Filings
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/us/politics/talarico-democrats-fundraising-republicans-takeaways.html
Graham Platner praised Hamas tactics in 2014 graphic video of murders of Israeli soldiers
https://jewishinsider.com/2026/04/graham-platner-praise-hamas-killed-israeli-soldiers/
Platner is a warped, sick dude.
I’m certainly not going to donate any money to his campaign.
For Miyares, the redistricting special election seems a way to jump-start a 2029 gubernatorial run
https://cardinalnews.org/2026/04/16/for-miyares-the-redistricting-special-election-seems-a-way-to-jump-start-a-2029-gubernatorial-run/
The thought of Jason Miyares as governor of Virginia is just….shudddderrrr.
Jamie Raskin Highlights Trump’s Self-Enrichment In Possible Impeachment Preview
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jamie-raskin-highlights-trumps-self-enrichment-impeachment_n_69e0c455e4b09c96f93e79a7?origin=home-latest-news-unit
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is leaving the Department of Homeland Security
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/acting-ice-director-todd-lyons-leaving-department-homeland-security-rcna332282
Democrats Make Final Push to Delay Confirmation Hearing of Trump’s Fed Pick
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/business/warsh-fed-democrats-confirmation.html
Trump nominates Erica Schwartz, former deputy surgeon general, to serve as CDC director
https://apnews.com/article/trump-cdc-director-schwartz-a6a4de89a7059e2cea8e8a8dafe87d34
Inside the CDC’s leadership vacuum: work at a ‘standstill’ and low morale as 80% of top posts remain vacant
“Current and ex-officials at the CDC warn Americans’ health security in danger under RFK Jr’s direction”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/17/cdc-rfk-jr-leadership-positions-empty
Terrible.
Senate votes to repeal Biden-era wilderness protections in Minnesota, sending bill to Trump’s desk
“The Senate voted 50-49 to overturn a Biden-era move to block mining in an area around Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.”
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5835349-boundary-waters-mining-protections/
Where the DOGE Operatives Are Now
“WIRED tracked down some of the most prominent figures of last year’s DOGE invasion. Here’s where they are now—in government and beyond.”
https://www.wired.com/story/where-the-doge-operatives-are-now/
Every one of those goons should be facing criminal charges.
What’s Next for the GOP After Trump? Get Ready for 31 Flavors of MAGA.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/04/who-will-replace-donald-trump-in-2028.html?pay=1776423697118&support_journalism=please
Judge Again Halts Aboveground Construction on Trump’s Ballroom
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/us/politics/trump-ballroom-judge-halt.html
Progressive Analilia Mejia coasts to victory in New Jersey special House election
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/16/progressive-analilia-mejia-coasts-to-victory-in-new-jersey-special-house-election-00878188
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’s Children Were Home During Murder-Suicide, Teenage Son Had to Call 911
https://people.com/former-virginia-lt-governor-justin-fairfax-children-were-home-during-murder-suicide-11951360
Deaths of migrants in ICE custody hit record high under Trump
https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5789092/deaths-of-migrants-in-ice-custody-hit-record-high-under-trump
US commerce secretary lashes out at Canada ahead of trade talks
https://www.semafor.com/article/04/17/2026/us-commerce-secretary-lutnick-lashes-out-at-canada-ahead-of-trade-talks-they-suck-is-this-nuts
Alito and Thomas Have No Plans To Retire Before Midterms
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/latest-news-live-updates_n_69dcb4aae4b00247ba9c0bc9/liveblog_69e301c9e4b0555d213c56e6?origin=home-latest-news-unit
With Vaccines Widely Popular, Kennedy Changes Tone, but Maybe Not His Plans
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/politics/vaccines-kennedy-cdc.html
This court SUCKS!
Supreme Court Sides With Oil Companies in Louisiana Coastal Lawsuits
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/politics/supreme-court-oil-louisiana.html
Trump suffers rare defeat with House Republicans
https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/trump-johnson-fisa
The FBI Director Is MIA
“Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/04/kash-patel-fbi-director-drinking-absences/686839/?gift=1ga2TvL-DbuHDQIcYF7oRxNmK3jnX3wl-J-XKJbu_nU&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Justice Department removes lead prosecutor from probe of Trump critic John Brennan
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/17/politics/prosecutor-running-john-brennan-investigation-removed
Trump’s lawyers are in talks with the IRS to resolve president’s $10B lawsuit
https://apnews.com/article/trump-treasury-irs-lawsuit-tax-whistleblower-c710244db618b066f3070a65e75820a5
Trump says review of UFO files found ‘interesting’ documents
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-review-ufo-files-found-interesting-documents-rcna333389
Aliens, please come and take him away!
Hahaha
Trump came to Arizona to rally young voters. An older crowd greeted him.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/17/trump-turning-point-arizona/
Joe Rogan’s down on Trump and MAGA — but he’s still hardcore MAHA
https://www.ms.now/opinion/joe-rogan-experience-maga-vaccines-rfk-jr
Joe Rogan is a wildly irresponsible IMBECILE, the question is why does anyone listen to this a–hole???
Utterly disgusting.
A Republican Dark Money Group Blankets Virginia With Deceptive Mailers Ahead of Redistricting Vote
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/dark-money-group-per-aspera-blankets-virginia-with-deceptive-mailers-ahead-of-redistricting-vote/
Anti-redistricting group uses fake AI-generated video of Spanberger in ad
https://virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/anti-redistricting-group-uses-fake-ai-generated-video-of-spanberger-in-ad/