Israel-Gaza War

Tucker Carlson Move Toward Third Party Movement: Splintering Of Republican Party After Trump!

Ronald 4 Comments

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is making moves toward a third party movement, disillusioned with Donald Trump, and making for a massive split in the MAGA movement, as planning for the Presidential Election of 2028 moves forward, even before the likely disastrous Republican Party Midterm Elections in November 2026.

Joined by former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and outgoing Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie at his Maine compound, Carlson announced a ten point program of opposition to Donald Trump and his policies and programs.

Particular emphasis was given to the fury over the Iran War; US support of Israel in its war in Gaza; and the controversy of release of the Epstein files.

If this splinter movement of discontented MAGA Republicans gets off the ground, it could spell massive trouble for the Republican Party in the battle over the Presidency in 2028.

While Carlson denies he would announce as a Presidential candidate, there is the potential for others disillusioned with Donald Trump on the extreme Right to complicate the potential for Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Ron DeSantis, Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton, or other potential contenders.

Democrats In Michigan Reject Party Establishment, Nominate Abdul El-Sayed For Senate Race!

Ronald 12 Comments

Democratic Party voters, by a narrow margin of about 15,000 votes, have rejected the “Party Establishment” which backed Congresswoman Haley Stevens, and have nominated progressive leftist Abdul El-Sayed for the Senate nomination, against Republican nominee, former Congressman Mike Rogers, for the election in November, which will decide who will replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.

On first thought, it might be believed that the result is disturbing, but when one goes beyond the political propaganda, it is clear that while El-Sayed is critical of Israel’s war in Gaza against the Palestinians, he is NOT antisemitic OR anti the right of Israel to exist, but believes that the Palestinians also have the right to exist, and that the war in Gaza and the West Bank, which has led to 75,000 deaths, mostly women and children, needs to end.

One can be pro Israel, but not pro anything that nation and its leadership does, just as is the same with the United States and its leadership.

The battle to retain the Michigan Senate seat for the Democrats, and for them to gain the four seats from Republicans that are needed to gain control of the US Senate, is an urgent one.

Already, Donald Trump is calling El-Sayed a “Communist”, utilizing the old idea of the Red Scare promoted by Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin in the 1950s, and this despicable tactic must be vigorously opposed by every decent person in Michigan, and nationally.

Ironically, Trump consorts all the time with “Communists”, such as Vladimir Putin of Russia, Xi Jinping of China, and Kim Jong Un of North Korea, wishing to be a tyrant and dictator as they are for sure.

El-Sayed is a very impressive and acomplished person, attending and graduating with high honors from the University of Michigan, and giving the commencement address. He had two years of medical school at the University of Michigan, followed by a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in England, and then an MD degree from Columbia University, and went into public health epidemiology work, rather than pursue a medical license. He became a public health professor at Columbia University, and then, Health Director of Detroit, and then, of Wayne County, Michigan.

El-Sayed was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, outgoing Senator Gary Peters, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and other establishment Democrats backed Haley Stevens in a losing, although, close margin campaign.

El-Sayed is an accomplished dynamic speaker and podcaster, and would be the first Muslim US Senator, although there are and have been a few Muslim members of the House of Representatives. To date, there have been five Muslim members of the lower house, with one, Keith Ellison from 2007-2019, who has been Attorney General of Minnesota since 2019.

“Democratic Socialism” Could Be A Threat To Democratic Control Of 120th Congress (2027-2029) And State Governments!

Ronald 20 Comments

There is growing concern that so called “Democratic Socialism” could be a threat to Democratic Party control of the 120th Congress (2027-2029) and State Governorships.

The Republican Party is using the term “Communism”, promoting the old tactic of the “Red Scare”, that was utilized by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s against extremists in the Democratic Party, who while not “Communists”, sound as extreme in their political, economic, and social views.

The upcoming Senate primary in Michigan, with candidate Abdul El Sayed on August 4, and the upcoming Gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin on August 11, with candidate Francesca Hong, are ringing alarm bells that concern reasonable progressives and liberals, including this author and blogger.

As a followup on the blog entry of three days ago, it would be beyond tragic if their extremist rhetoric were to throw the Michigan Senate seat to the Republicans, and the Wisconsin Governorship to the Republicans.

It likely would make it impossible for Democrats to gain the majority of the Senate, and would move the state of Wisconsin backward in its state government.

The fact that some “Democratic Socialists”, particularly those in the New York Congressional primaries in New York City, were speaking of ending the police; ending any concept of “borders” for the nation; and had elements of antisemitism against Jews, due to the Israel-Gaza War—make the thought of higher level success in the upper Midwest, totally horrifying.

And the earlier advocacy of ending the whole American government structure as we know it, as outlined earlier three days ago, is beyond the pale.

And the fact that comedian Bill Maher just discussed the crazy extremism of “Democratic Socialism” as an alarm bell that he saw as a danger, is also very troubling.

While this author and blogger is not a fan of Bill Maher, what he had to say on Friday evening rings true, and is alarming for the political future, in the effort to end the nightmare of Donald Trump and his right wing extremist policies.

Right now, polls indicate Democrats have an 8 point lead in the upcoming elections, and therefore, victory for the party depends on avoiding massive controversy over candidates such as El Sayed and Hong.

Democratic Party Division In Michigan Could Affect Senate Race And Majority In The 120th Congress (2027-2029)

Ronald 26 Comments

In the first two weeks of August, the upper Midwest states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota will hold primaries for Governor and US Senate, along with House races and state legislative races.

The Democratic Party is facing splits, whereby “Democratic Socialists” are challenging establishment Democrats, which might lead to future problems against Republican opponents.

Today, the situation in Michigan will be discussed, followed by Wisconsin and Minnesota over the next two days.

In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for Governor, while the likely Republican nominee is African American Congressman John James, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2018 and 2020, after graduating West Point and serving for eight years in the military.

More controversial is the battle for the Democratic Senate nomination between Congresswoman Haley Stevens and physician Abdul El Sayed, who was Health Director for Detroit and for Wayne County, and was a competitor in 2018 for the Michigan Gubernatorial race.

Abdul El Sayed is backed by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chris Van Hollen, and Elizabeth Warren, and is vehemently opposed by the pressure group AIPAC, since he is a major critic of Israel and its war in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank against Palestinians.

Stevens is supported by mainstream Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, among others.

The concern of many is that Abdul El Sayed, who would be the first Muslim Senator if he won the Senate race, would have major problems against Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in the election, when Democrats need to gain four seats in the Senate to win the majority of the chamber, and with Democratic Senator Gary Peters presently holding that seat.

The strong belief of many is that IF Michigan is lost to the Republicans, there is no way for Democrats to gain the four seats needed to be the majority in the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Shocking, Sudden Passing Of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham!

Ronald 15 Comments

The shocking, sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham at the age of 71 is a reminder that all of us are living in an uncertain circumstance, never knowing what our lifespan is.

An extremely controversial member of the US Senate for 24 years, and before that for 8 years in the US House of Representatives, Graham engendered both scorn and admiration for his engagement in both domestic and foreign policy controversies under five Presidents.

Graham was a close associate of Arizona Senator John McCain and a major critic of Donald Trump, telling America the harsh truth about Trump during the Presidential Election campaign of 2016.

But then, Graham “sold his soul” to Trump, and became what was regarded by many as being Trump’s “lapdog”.

Graham first became controversial when he was one of the leaders pursuing the impeachment of President Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky scandal in the late 1990s.

But Graham also promoted immigration reform until Donald Trump came along and became the worst possible nativist bigot.

So Graham leaves a very mixed and controversial record, as a supporter of Ukraine against Russia, but also a massive supporter of Israel, even during the US-Gaza War that began after the October 7, 2023 Massacre.

Graham also was a major supporter of the present Iran War, which has led to great turmoil in both domestic and international affairs.

Whatever one thought of Graham’s views and policies, everyone could agree that he was an engaging, warm personality, but he faced great criticism over bowing down to Donald Trump, which would have angered his close friend, Senator McCain, who had been constantly attacked by Donald Trump.

“Democratic Socialists” Vs Democratic Party

Ronald 23 Comments

The Democratic Party has brought about in the past century, since Franklin D. Roosevelt onward through Joe Biden, a massive number of major reforms.

The vast number of them came under FDR and the New Deal in the 1930s, and Lyndon B. Johnson and the Great Society in the 1960s, both periods where the Democratic Party had massive majorities in both houses of Congress.

Under other Democratic Presidents, fewer reforms were possible, but there were domestic accomplishments and advancements under Presidents Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.

Now, however, so called “Democratic Socialists” are trying to turn the Democratic Party further to the left, and have succeeded in electing Zohran Mamdani as NYC Mayor and likely will elect Janeese Lewis George as Washington DC Mayor in November.

The best known “Democratic Socialist” is Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with the Democratic Party, and is seen by others as a “model”, but is not technically seen as part of this updated “Democratic Socialists”.

Also, there are three members, presently, in the House of Representatives;

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Rashida Tlaib of Michigan
Greg Casar of Texas

In the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029), the following additions are to be added to the House of Representatives:

Dairaliza Avila Chavalier of New York
Claire Valdez of New York
Melat Kiros of Colorado
Chris Rabb of Pennsylvania

There are others who are termed as “The Squad”, but do not call themselves “Democratic Socialists”, including

Ilhan Omar of Minnesota
Ayanna Presley of Massachusetts
Delia Ramirez of Illinois
Summer Lee of Pennsylvania

The “Democratic Socialists” and “The Squad” membership could be a problem if the Democrats gain the majority in the House of Representatives by only a small margin, as that could interfere with the ability of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York to become the first Black Speaker of the House.

“Democratic Socialists” promote the following:

32 Hour Work Week
Minimum Wage of $30
Medicare For All
High Taxation of the Rich
Housing Reform And Universal Rent Control
Cuts In Military Spending
Opposition to NATO and Aid to Ukraine
Replacement of Capitalism
Hostility To Israel Since Israel-Gaza War

This author and blogger, proud to be a “Progressive”, sees these goals as unrealistic or objectionable.

Lowering the work week to less than 40 hours is possible, and a minimum wage goal over time of $25 seem reasonable.

Movement toward Medicare to cover Americans over 50, and some taxation of the rich is also reasonable.

Housing Reforms including for renters in a moderate way is also reasonable.

Some Cuts in Military Spending, but support of NATO and of Aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia is the proper way for the future.

Capitalism will not be replaced, but could come under greater regulation and controls.

Criticism of Israel, and ending military support of the government due to its actions in Gaza and the West Bank, can occur, but not total hostility to the right of Israel to its own nationhood.

So there is potential for reforms and change, but not to the extreme promoted by the “Democratic Socialists” and “The Squad”.

They will continue to “make noise” as their small number in Congress grows, but the Democratic Party is not going to go as far left as these groups promote, as they are totally unrealistic.

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.

Pure Hysteria About Mamdani “Socialism”, Depicting Him As A “Communist” And “Islamic Terrorist”, By Republicans!

Ronald 8 Comments

New York City is very likely to elect Zohran Mamdani the 111th Mayor a week from now, despite the dire warnings being spread by Republicans and corporate leaders, and even many religious leaders, both Jewish and otherwise.

There is pure hysteria being spread that Mamdani, a self described “Democratic Socialist”, is a “Communist” and an “Islamic Terrorist”, as he is of the Muslim faith.

The Jewish community is deeply divided over Mamdani, who has been harshly critical of the Israel-Gaza War, which has killed about 65,000 Palestinians. Some Jewish groups who are totally supportive of any tactic or policy of the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu see Mamdani as a dire threat to Jews in New York City and elsewhere.

The fact that Mamdani has plans to help the struggling middle class and poor, rather than cater to the wealthy elite, also has led the Republican Party nationally under Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump, to portray him with the lunatic accusation that he is a “Communist’, which demonstrates total ignorance and stupidity about the meaning of the term.

If anything, Trump himself being too “cozy” with Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and Kim Jong Un of North Korea (both Communists), belies the manipulation of public opinion being perpetrated by a Republican Party, which clearly does not care about the rapidly worsening economic conditions caused by Trump’s refusal to care about the economic plight of tens of millions of Americans who were told the cost of living would decrease under Trump in his second term.

Growing Dangers For Donald Trump After Nine Months In Office!

Ronald 46 Comments

President Donald Trump claims he has had major successes in his first nine months of his second term.

The truth belies that.

The last two months saw another trillion dollars added to the National Debt, to an all time high of $38 trillion, the fastest increase in history.

The attempts of Trump to gain backing of Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine has failed, and another planned summit is now off.

The Israeli hostages were freed, but very little progress on the so called “20 point plan” has occurred, despite intervention of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are spending time in the Middle East.

The government shutdown, now in its 23rd day, second longest ever, is beginning to have a deleterious effect, as government workers are not being paid, and SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits are about to end for milions of needy Americans, and Trump is showing no signs of concern about the effect on the American people of his refusal to negotiate with the Democrats.

Speaker Mike Johnson is making a horrendous reputation for himself, refusing to swear in a newly elected Congresswoman, in order to hold off dealing with the revelation of the Epstein files.

The lunatic Tariff policies of Trump has totally alienated Canada, which now says the relationship of long standing has been irreparably harmed, and will never be the same.

These are just a few of the horrendous developments going on as Donald Trump destroys the White House, and demands $230 million from taxpayers as compensation for the prosections and convictions he faced for the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, which sadly failed to prevent his coming back to the White House in the Presidential Election Of 2024.

Release Of Israeli Hostages A Major Accomplishment For Donald Trump, BUT What About Preserving Democracy In America?

Ronald 12 Comments

The deal struck by President Donald Trump that has led today to the release of Israeli hostages is a major accomplishment, for which Trump deserves credit and praise.

However, Trump is over the top in his belief that a new world has emerged in the Middle East, as if this arrangement solves all of the issues involving the Palestinians and Israel, and the reality that Hamas has not been totally dissolved.

So the likelihood is for future warfare and conflict, and more bloodshed down the road, if not immediately.

This is a sad situation, but is a realistic assessment.

So while Trump can be praised for what he has done, and it has made him popular in Israel, the reality is that it does not make up for the total destruction of American democracy and the rule of law at home in America.

Trump has been engaged with his sycophants in the Cabinet, in the MAGA Republican Congress, and in the Supreme Court, in undermining the Bill of Rights.

It is clearly well along toward establishment of an authoritarian Fascist government, that is nativist, racist, misgonynist, homophobic, and imperialist oriented on the world stage, with his threats toward Latin America, Canada, and NATO, and his creating tensions around the world with his crazy tariff policies.