PBS - The Open Mind - Venture Capitalist Tim Draper & Bitcoin (excerpts from 9/26/2025 interview)

https://www.pbs.org/video/crypto-or-perish-3dqa2v/ The U.S. has capitalism and so has a real advantage. China, has a dictator, socialist, you know, communist guy. And he's taking away all the incentives for people to innovate and try things. And so he's creating sort of a culture of trying to steal a culture of people who are living in fear. And so I don't even think there's a contest. I think it's all US and all the other free nations, who are going to really benefit from this new revolution in Bitcoin. When you think of the foundations, like the rudimentary foundations of crypto and blockchain. What's most important to you as an investor in securing the technologies, and ensuring their future reliability, consistency, growth. I leave a lot of that up to the entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs look, and they see problems, and they fill them. They know who their customers are. They love their customers. They improve the lives of their customers. And in almost, all industries, it's the entrepreneur who has filled the gap. The politician often finds a problem, identifies a problem, speaks about a problem. But the solutions generally come from the entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurs, use those solutions, to build businesses. And that is the beauty of capitalism. Most governments that haven't had their heads in the sand are recognizing that they've got to hold some bitcoin because their own currency may not last forever. And they need to be responsible for all their constituents. And so it's a fait accompli. It's coming. And it's just a better currency when there's a new technology and it's better, people use it. People aren't using, Nokia phones or Blackberries anymore because the technology is better on the Apple iPhone. The bitcoin blockchain has never been hacked. Knock on wood. But my bank got hacked, and I lost money. Banks are much easier to hack. So, I don't know why people somehow feel like their fiat currency is safer. It's not, period, it just isn't. Now, it might be safer than putting it into some obscure cryptocurrency, but it's not safer than bitcoin. Bitcoin is, I mean, I think it's the safest currency in the world. And I continue to and people continue to gravitate toward it. Bitcoin used to have a 40% market share. Then it went to 50% on the next boom bust. And now it's at 61%. I think there will be an ongoing gravitational pull there. You don't want to be stuck when there's a big run on the bank. I tell my entrepreneurs put some of your money in a big bank, and then go, uh huh. Some in a small bank, and they say, why? And I say because the US government can bail out a small bank, but they can't afford to bail out JP Morgan. JP Morgan goes under. It's under. I see the argument of diversifying in those three buckets, big bank, small bank, crypto. If these treasuries that are only in fiat currency and sometimes only in one fiat currency, I think they are irresponsible. I think their shareholders will have a case against them if they don't hold some bitcoin. The bitcoin economy is going to be much more, flexible, frictionless, open, transparent, global. It's going to keep perfect records and it's going to be a better economy.

Burlingame Office Park Minimalism

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey embody Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem on SNL

And he thought he was going to get the Nobel Peach Prize??? Lest we forget what Trump said about Gaza just eight months ago - "The US will take over the Gaza Strip;" "This could be the Riviera of the Middle East;" Trump obviously cares nothing for the well-being of the Palestinians. His are self-interests.

In 2011, Trump said, "If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the Presient of the United States."

President Trump and Vice President Vance use misinformation in their efforts to deploy troops to American cities. The Trump administration is misusing the military to go after blue cities as part of retribution campaign.

2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Machado of Venezuela is the antithesis of Donald Trump - The Nobel Committee sends a message to Trump - Not only are you not getting the prize, but we don't respect you in the least.

Diane Keaton (January 5, 1946 – October 11, 2025) - RIP

Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller says that Trump has "plenary authority." Then Miller stops cold realizing that he said what he believes, but should not say openly because plenary authority doesn't exist in a democracy. Plenary authority is power that is full, complete, unrestricted and unchecked

(Republican) Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, thinks 82-year-old Lee Greenwood would make a more appropriate performer for the Super Bowl halftime show than Bad Bunny. Can you say, "Out of touch?"

Malice in Blunderland = Pam Bondi

During today's senate hearing, Democratic senators repeatedly accused Bondi of stonewalling their inquiries and weaponizing the Department of Justice to benefit Trump.

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/pam-bondi-hearing-senate-judiciary-committee-attorney-general/ Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday for a hearing on oversight of the Justice Department, her first time testifying before the panel since her confirmation. Bondi declined to comment directly on several areas of interest to Democrats, including any potential discussions she had with the White House about investigations involving President Trump's political adversaries, such as former FBI Director James Comey. The effort to bring charges against Comey prompted upheaval in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia, leading Mr. Trump to appoint a White House aide to head the office. Bondi also deflected several inquiries into her handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in federal custody in 2019. Earlier this year, the Justice Department said it would not release further information about the case, angering allies and leading to congressional efforts to secure the files from the administration.

Watch Senator Schiff eloquently summarize Trump's DOJ corruption - Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee today for a hearing on oversight of the Justice Department

Vice President JD Vance shows his true (unbecoming) colors. Is this anyone's idea of good faith?

Senator Whitehouse - What a name! - goes on the offensive with Attorney General Pam Bondi. At Oversight Hearing, Bondi responds to questions with attacks instead of answers. Questions include ones regarding FBI finding incriminating photos of President Donald Trump with half-naked young women. Bondi didn’t say the photos don't exist. Instead, she chose to castigate the senator.

Jimmy Kimmel And Stephen Colbert On Each Other's Shows At Same Time - Take that anti- free speech Oval Office and blind followers!

Re: Government Shutdown, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. says that the Republicans are not negotiating. Remember, the speaker of the House has kept the House out for the last two weeks. We are, for the first time in America ever, because of Donald Trump's attacks on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, on the verge of tens of millions of Americans losing their health care and most of Americans experiencing a significant rise in their health care costs.

Re: The Government Shutdown, as Mario Savio put it - It's time to stop the gears of the machine when the machine isn't working for the people

Oct 5, 2025 News: Dozens Killed in Gaza Despite Trump's Call for Israel to Halt Bombing. This calls into question - Does Israel want peace?

Support your local Starbucks Union workers! Unionized Starbucks locations in the Bay Area include stores in San Francisco's Castro (18th & Castro) and Inner Sunset (9th & Irving) neighborhoods, and 1211 Embarcadero in Oakland. These stores are part of a nationwide unionization effort under Starbucks Workers United. Starbucks Workers United, is affiliated with SEIU 1021nwhich represents these workers in their fight for fair contracts and better working conditions.

Pope Leo points out Republican hypocrisy. They say they are, "Pro-Life," but what does that mean when they are pro Capital Punishment and favor the mistreatment of immigrants?

According to Gordon Thomas, "Robert Maxwell first came into Mossad's orbit in the 1970s, when the Israeli spy organization stole from the U.S. its most sophisticated piece of intelligence-gathering software, Enhanced Promis. Mossad's representative for extremely sensitive transactions worth tens of millions of dollars in China, Russia, India, and other countries was Robert Maxwell." Robert was father to (his most treasured daughter) Ghislaine Maxwell. Ghislaine was Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate, and convicted co-conspirator in a sex trafficking operation. They met in the early 1990s. Ghislaine remained Epstein's closest confidant until his 2019 arrest and subsequent death. Did these two men know too much? Did they have to be silenced by Mossad? Gislaine lives on and has taken the fall, cushy though it is in her posh prison. Was it her blind loyalty to these two evil men that is at the root of her downfall? Were Robert and Jeffrey Mossad agents who went rogue and, thus, had to pay with their lives?

Charlie Kirk questioned Israel, and then was shot dead = coincidence? The young man posting this video ("Hooded Calisthenics") may be hinting at an outrageous conspiracy theory, or he may be onto something.

Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, says, "Protect the healthcare of the American people." He is speaking up for the people. Hakeem Jeffries for President!

The Three Stooges of Trump's "Department of Justice" - Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Dan Bongino

Democrats can finally enter negotiations over a potential government shutdown with power over Donald Trump. With just days to go until the deadline, it’s not Republicans who have the advantage for once. Democrats can decide whether the government will be funded or not funded. A government shutdown, which last occurred in December 2018 and lasted 35 days, would entail the closure of government functions deemed non-essential. “It’s a perfect opportunity for the Democrats to put a stake in the ground,” says Trump biographer, Michael Wolff. The opportunity couldn’t come at a more critical time. Eight months into Trump’s second term, Wolff believes that “Every assumption about how this country functions is under attack.” “What has to happen most of all is that the Democrats have to show a level of commitment, a level of crisis. They have to recognize what’s going on. They have to express what’s going on, and they have to recognize what’s going on. I mean, if there is not a way found to oppose Donald Trump, the entire thing is over.”

Over 400 celebrities signed the ACLU letter in support of Kimmel & the right to free speech (123 of them listed here)

Adam Scott Alan Cumming Alfred Molina Al Yankovic Alyssa Milano Amber Tamblyn America Ferrera Ana Gasteyer Annette Bening Annette O'Toole Anthony Anderson Barry Levinson Ben Platt Ben Stiller Billy Crystal Billy Eichner Brad Hall Bradley Whitford Bryan Cranston Busy Philipps Camryn Manheim Cecily Strong Chazz Palminteri Chelsea Handler Christina Applegate Christine Baranski Christine Lahti Christine Taylor Claire Danes Cyndi Lauper Cynthia Nixon David Arquette Debbie Gibson Debra Messing Diego Luna Edie Falco Elizabeth Banks Eric Bogosian Florence Pugh Frances Fisher Frances McDormand Gabriel Luna George Takei Gina Gershon Gloria Steinem Griffin Dunne Hank Azaria Harvey Keitel Jamie Lee Curtis Jane Fonda Jane Krakowski Jason Alexander Jason Bateman & Amanda Anka Jean Smart Jennifer Aniston Jesse Tyler Ferguson Jill Eikenberry Jim Parsons Joel Coen Jon Cryer Josh Hamilton Josh Radnor Judd Apatow Judy Gold Julia Louis-Dreyfus June Squibb Justin Theroux Kerry Washington Kevin Bacon Kirsten Dunst Kristen Johnston Kristin Davis Kyra Sedgwick Lake Bell Laura Linney Lena Dunham Lin-Manuel Miranda Maggie Gyllenhaal Marcia Cross Mark Ruffalo Martha Plimpton Martin Short Mary-Louise Parker Maya Rudolph Melissa Gilbert Melissa Villaseñor Meryl Streep Michael Keaton Michael McKean Molly Ringwald Naomi Watts & Billy Crudup Natalie Portman Nathan Lane Noah Wyle Olivia Rodrigo Parker Posey Patricia Clarkson Patton Oswalt Pedro Pascal Punkie Johnson Rachel Dratch Rainn Wilson Regina King Richard Kind Rob Morrow Robert DeNiro Rooney Mara & Joaquin Phoenix Rosario Dawson Rosie O'Donnell Rufus Wainwright Selena Gomez Sharon Stone Sheryl Crow T.R. Knight Taylor Tomlinson Tig Notaro Timothy Olyphant Tom Bergeron Tom Hanks Tony Goldwyn Uzo Aduba Wallace Shawn Zooey Deschanel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with protest in New York City

UN General Assembly - Dozens of delegates walk out of Benjamin Netanyahu's United Nations speech

I'm thrilled to have Kimmel back on the air. Still, no one in late night is funnier than Colbert.

Statue of Trump and Epstein Appears Outside U.S. Capitol in D.C. - Displayed by an unknown entity, the statue features Trump and Epstein—who famously socialized together decades ago—holding hands. A plaque beneath the bronze figures reads: “In honor of friendship month, we celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his ‘closest friend’ Jeffrey Epstein.”

Kimmel is back! The people have spoken. Power to the people! Consumers rallied against Kimmel's suspension by canceling their subscriptions to the Disney+ streaming subscription service. ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Company.

Even Republican Ted Cruz understands the Constitution and the dangerous territory Trump is treading on by denying Free Speech in media

MSNBC’s Ari Melber, a First Amendment attorney, breaks down Trump’s censorship / violation of the First Amendment. Trump has crossed a line that even fellow Republicans and the entire Supreme Court do not approve of.

Kash Patel loses it. He can't answer a single question that (CA) Senator Schiff asks because Patel has a head full of lies. Patel cares nothing for the U.S. He only cares about keeping his job as FBI Director. How on Earth is this guy qualified to hold the job? Trump hired him (like all others) because of their loyalty alone. Patel (and the others) serve Trump's autocratic agenda.

Whitney Webb - author of 'One Nation Under Blackmail' - Her book explores the nexus between intelligence and organized crime involved in the development of sexual blackmail tactics and networks that would later enable the crimes of deceased pedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The same forces that created him, would eventually take him down, according to Whitney.

Peter Mandelson was recently fired as the UK's ambassador to the United States due to newly publicized emails showing his close, long-running relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a time when our autocratic American President silences the opposition at home, the U.K. takes the lead in guerilla art to get the message out about who he really is. Trump fancies himself a king like Charles. However, he is merely a king of impropriety. (Images Of Trump And Jeffrey Epstein Are Projected Onto Windsor Castle During His Visit To The U.K.)

Therians’ beliefs mix spirituality, mythology, and personal thoughts. It differs from the Furry fandom, which is more about enjoying art and characters. For Therians, it’s a personal experience. They feel connected to an animal, known as their theriotype.

Dr. John Gartner (Johns Hopkins professor and co-host of the podcast ‘Shrinking Trump') delivers a chilling diagnosis: Trump shows signs of dementia layered on top of malignant narcissism. Dementia is determined by measuring someone against what they used to be like. Trump used to be articulate. Dr. Gartner explains how Trump’s declining language, erratic gait, and disturbing anecdotes point to brain deterioration. This episode explores how his power amplifies his paranoia, cruelty, and decay. Trump is weakening physically and mentally while tightening his grip on authority. Where will this lead?

Humble, obedient servant to glorious leader Donald Trump - Jon Stewart in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's cancellation (which is in the wake of Stephen Colbert's cancellation) - Thank heaven for late night comedy.... we have to laugh to keep from crying .... screaming

Robert Redford (August 18, 1936 – September 16, 2025) could have easily been dismissed as just a pretty face, but he was so much more than that. This clip from interview with Melvyn Bragg, originally broadcast on BBC Two, 24 April, 1976, shows Redford to be thoughtful, insightful and full of depth with regard to the film industry and life in general.

The Republicans will be hoisted by their own petard. I mean figuratively. There is but one Trump. He is on his second term. There is no heir apparent. No one of his disciples will inherit the throne. The seeds that the Republicans are sewing will be reaped. Wiser (Democratic) heads will prevail.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoist_with_his_own_petard "Hoist with his own petard" is a phrase from a speech in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet that has become proverbial. The phrase's meaning is that a bomb-maker is blown ("hoist", the past tense of "hoise") off the ground by his own bomb ("petard"), and indicates an ironic reversal or poetic justice.

It's irony on top of irony. Even Democrats defended Charlie Kirk from a perspective of free speech despite the fact that his was often hate speech. I agree, even hate speech should be protected (unless it ignites violence) because who is to be the arbiter of what constitutes hate speech? All speech should generate discussion. Through discussion we can iron out our differences and make for a more peaceful world. But Trump and his cronies and their strangle hold on the business world aim to end free speech if it does not lend itself to their agenda. Patience reasonable grasshoppers. This (Trump time) too shall end. Free speech will be restored. Our Democracy is not dead so long as we remain vigilant. Stay strong Kimmel. Your supporters back you heart and soul. Trump's supporters are merely cowards.

Violence is wrong. Truth is important. Who was Charlie Kirk?

https://racism.org/articles/defining-racism/white-privilege/12835-charlie-kirk-white-supremacist Charlie Kirk built himself into the face of a conservative youth movement through Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Behind the branding of “patriotism” and “freedom,” the record shows a pattern of rhetoric, organizational culture, and alliances that echoed white supremacist and Christian nationalist ideologies. The Southern Poverty Law Center documented how TPUSA repeatedly framed immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and racial justice advocates as existential threats to “white Christian America,” warning followers that their families, religion, and entire way of life were under attack. In later years, Kirk openly embraced Christian nationalist language, claiming that liberty was only possible with a Christian population—a narrative tying freedom to demographic dominance, a cornerstone of supremacist logic. The Guardian reported that Kirk’s rhetoric increasingly mirrored white supremacist and authoritarian themes, while campus watchdog groups chronicled repeated incidents of racist, homophobic, and transphobic speech at TPUSA events. It was a culture that normalized bigotry. Kirk and TPUSA did not need to wear hoods or wave Confederate flags to advance the idea of white supremacy. By denying systemic racism, vilifying movements for justice, and legitimizing extremists, Kirk and his organization reinforced the architecture of racial dominance in America. That was the through line of his political project. He positioned himself as a defender of liberty, but the liberty he envisioned was conditional—anchored in whiteness, Christianity, and exclusion. His legacy is not simply conservatism. It is a record of advancing ideas and practices that aligned with white supremacy. The deepest irony of Kirk’s legacy came in the manner of his death. In 2023, he declared that “it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights,” framing gun deaths as a tragic but acceptable price for liberty. Two years later, he was killed by gunfire at one of his own public events. His own words came back in the most devastating way, embodying the very cost he had justified. For critics, this was not just irony but a brutal illustration of how the normalization of preventable violence eventually consumes even its defenders. Kirk’s fate exposed the hollowness of his argument. He did not just preach the acceptance of gun deaths as a cost of freedom—he became that cost. Kirk’s death by gunfire was not just a personal tragedy; it was a symbolic collision of the two pillars of his politics: a defense of white supremacy and an unflinching devotion to unfettered gun rights. He spent his career denying systemic racism while building a movement that normalized bigotry and courted extremists. (Vernellia R. Randall, Professor Emerita of Law, University of Dayton School of Law)

Saving the Earth - Bulk Items at Rainbow Grocery

News: Trump busted by his own distinct signature, sinks to new depths of historic disgrace (Rachel Maddow, MSNBC)

The Asian Art Museum

de Young Museum

California company Rewilder transforms trash into bags, clothes and furniture = upcycling. As it should be. Save the Earth!

Replenish Marketplace in Alameda, California. May it become one of many! Cutting down on the use of plastic. Save the Earth!

What happens when David becomes Goliath? Jon Stewart talks to Peter Beinart - Jews speaking out about Gaza & America's and the U.N.’s failure to hold Benjamin Netanyahu accountable

Trump Got Played

Senator Bernie Sanders calls out Trump - release the Epstein files like you said you would (and more).

Israel is starving Gaza. And the U.S. is complicit. Israel is permitting supplies to enter the territory in quantities catastrophically insufficient for its approximately 2 million residents.

Heroes in the House of Representatives, Ro Khana (D - 17th District, CA - Southern SF Bay) & Tom Massie (R - 4th District, KY - Northern KY) propose legislation to force Trump's DOJ to release Epstein information to help restore trust in government and to help bring justice to Epstein's victims.

Poetic justice as (former) MAGA supporters go after Republicans for their Epstein cover up. Rightfully so. Keep in mind, there are crimes - sexual abuse of minors and sex trafficking. Where there are crimes, there are criminals. There are victims of these crimes. The truth must out re: any and all criminals connected to Epstein. There must be justice for the victims.

Fellow Late Night funny guys rally behind Stephen Colbert post announcement that his show has only one more year (BTW, The Late Show host Stephen Colbert's show's ratings are higher than those of Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. It's censorship pure and simple because a certain thin-skinned President can't stand being made fun of)

Stephen Colbert is f***ing hilarious! Why on Earth would CBS cancel his show!? Could it be that T has threatened CBS with a lawsuit cuz Colbert doesn't shy away from brilliantly taking T down?

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for President!

Trump tries to get ahead of accusations that he is part of the Epstein files by preemptively initiating a "fake news" post. And, btw, it's not a big leap to consider that T & E both exploited and abused underage girls considering they were best friends for over 10 years.

Border Security vs. (Actually Needed) Safety in Texas (Texas got it wrong) - Texas has spent an estimated $11.1 billion on border security measures under Operation Lone Star. HOWEVER, Texas measure, House Bill 13, would have created a new government council to establish the emergency response plan and administer the grant program, both of which would have been aimed at facilitating better communication between first responders. The bill also called for the plan to include “the use of outdoor warning sirens,” like those used in tornado-prone Texas counties, and develop new “emergency alert systems.” BUT, House Bill 13 did not pass because it was deemed too expensive though it would have cost far less than border security. The families of those 100+ who have died in the recent flooding disaster and the rest of us need to know this.

News: Mexico has sent water rescue teams and firefighters to help in Texas after the holiday weekend floods that have killed at least 100 people, with many more still missing. (Newsweek)

Author and Director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, Kenneth Stern, helped define “antisemitism.” Now he says the term is being weaponized to stifle free speech. (Amanpour and Company, 19 min video / interview)

SF MOMA - Ruth Asawa - (1. Click three dots below slideshow for option to "Enter full screen", 2. Click "esc" to return to normal screen)

Here's why Republicans will lose the midterm elections. After passing Trump's Bill which hurts working people (importantly taking many people's health care away), the chickens will come home to roost.

This 11 minute interview from March, 2025 with writer Michael Wolff tells you everything you need to know about Trump. He is only interested in getting headlines. He is a complete narcissist who cares about no one but himself.

Must see 98 minute documentary if you want to understand how Trump was able to win a second term. "Rewriting Trump" follows Michael Wolff who, with inside sources, has a better understanding of Trump and how he operates than anyone.

A Message to Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sanchez from Greenpeace in Venice - "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax."

The right (Trump, in particular) is using political violence to intimidate anyone who would speak out against them. A method autocrats use to grab more power. Barbara Walter, a professor of international affairs at U.C. San Diego, is a leading expert on violent extremism and domestic terror. (Politics)

News: As Israel turns its focus to Iran, the death toll mounts in Gaza — and hunger deepens (NPR) (Politics)

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/g-s1-73175/gaza-hunger-aid-attacks-israel Israel's primary focus is now its war with Iran, but Israeli troops are still holding territory deep inside Gaza, and Tuesday marked the deadliest day in recent weeks for Palestinians there trying to reach food distribution sites and trucks. Health officials in Gaza say at least 59 people were killed by Israeli military drones and artillery fire Tuesday, and more than 200 wounded, trying to get food. Most of the deaths, at least 45, occurred at an intersection in southern Gaza's city of Khan Younis, where a large crowd of people had amassed waiting for trucks to enter carrying flour.It was the deadliest single incident of people desperately trying to lay their hands on food since late March, when Israel began allowing a trickle of aid into Gaza following nearly three months of total blockade. Israeli attacks on Palestinians trying to reach food aid since March 27 have killed at least 400 people and wounded more than 3,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which releases daily death counts. Those killed while seeking aid are among the ministry's overall death toll of nearly 55,500 people killed in the war.

A look back - October 24, 2023 - President Biden in a trip to Israel showed that he understood that Hamas did not represent the vast majority of Palestinians and, therefore, the Palestinian people should be spared Israel's wrath, but did Netanyahu listen? (Politics)

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/was-hamas-elected-to-govern-gaza-george-w-bush-2006-palestinian-election.html In a speech during President Biden’s visit to Israel, he urged the nation’s military to do all it can to minimize civilian casualties in its war with Hamas. “The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas,” he said. “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.” How did Hamas come to power in Gaza in the first place? It was in January 2006 that the Palestinian territories held what turned out to be their last parliamentary elections. Hamas won a bare plurality of votes (44 percent to the more moderate Fatah party’s 41 percent) but, given the electoral system, a strong majority of seats (74 to 45). Neither party was keen on sharing power. Fighting broke out between the two. When a unity government was finally formed in June 2007, Hamas broke the deal, started murdering Fatah members, and, in the end, took total control of the Gaza Strip. Those who weren’t killed fled to the West Bank, and the territories have remained split ever since. In other words, Hamas’ absolute rule of Gaza is not what the Palestinians voted for back in 2006.

Definition of a terrorist: a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

News: Trump directs immigration authorities to prioritize deportations in Democratic-run cities (Politics)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-directs-ice-deportations-democratic-run-cities/ Washington — President Trump on Sunday night directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities, a move that comes after large protests erupted in Los Angeles and other major metropolitan areas against the Trump administration's immigration policies. In a Truth Social post, the president called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials "to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History." He added that to reach the goal officials "must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside." "These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens," the president wrote. Mr. Trump's declaration comes after weeks of increased enforcement, and after Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and main architect of the president's immigration policies, said ICE officers would target at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Mr. Trump's second term. At the same time, the Trump administration has directed ICE to halt arrests at farms, restaurants and hotels amid concerns that the president's crackdown on illegal immigration is hurting key industries, two sources familiar with the abrupt policy change told CBS News. The pause on worksite immigration enforcement operations applies to the agricultural, hospitality and restaurant industries, which rely in large part on labor from immigrants, many of whom are in the U.S. unlawfully, the sources said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal actions. Opponents of the president's immigration policies took to the streets as part of the "No Kings" demonstrations Saturday that came as Mr. Trump held a massive parade in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The parade featured tanks, flyovers and fireworks. Mr. Trump made the call for stepped up enforcement in Democratic-controlled cities on social media as he was making his way to the Group of Seven economic summit in Alberta, Canada.

News: California wants to ban face coverings for ICE agents and cops - The No Secret Police Act - SB 627 - California would become the first state to prohibit law enforcement officers from concealing their faces. (Politics)

https://sfstandard.com/2025/06/16/california-donald-trump-ice-face-covering-masks-n95-doxxing/ California could soon tick off one more box on its long and expanding list of anti-Trump stances: becoming the first state to clamp down on federal agents and police concealing their identities. Introduced days after hundreds of thousands of Golden State residents marched in protest of President Donald Trump’s second term, new legislation would prohibit law enforcement officers who operate in California from wearing face coverings. The No Secret Police Act, introduced Monday by state Sen. Scott Wiener, comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other law enforcement officials have been seen in recent weeks covering their faces during immigration raids and at anti-Trump protests. Democrats have criticized the practice, arguing that it decreases transparency as Trump ramps up his use of federal law enforcement to achieve his hard-line immigration policies. Republicans say masks help prevent authorities from being targeted or doxxed, which is when an individual’s home address or other information is shared online. “The recent federal operations in California have created an environment of profound terror,” said Wiener, who is introducing the bill with state Sen. Jesse Arreguín. “If we want the public to trust law enforcement, we cannot allow them to behave like secret police in an authoritarian state.” Wiener said law enforcement should be “proud to show their faces,” and doing so will increase trust in public-safety officials. SB 627 would also require officials to be identifiable through uniforms or other means.

Today: No King! - Ocean Beach, San Francisco (Politics)

Today - No Kings Protest - San Francisco Edition. Click on three dots below slideshow to see option to enlarge ("esc" to return to normal screen). (Politics)

Today - No Kings! - Tyranny by Trump (Artistry by Ingrid of Indiana) - Includes names of his collaborators / henchmen. Click on three dots below slideshow to see option to enlarge ("esc" to return to normal screen). (Politics)

News: Newsom reacts to federal court's ruling against Trump's National Guard use in L.A. Newsom shows himself to be presidential while Trump shows himself to be a coward who abuses his authority. (Politics)

Alert: No Kings nationwide protests scheduled for Saturday, 6/14/25. In San Francisco - 10 am at Ocean Beach, and 11:30 am at Dolores Park (Find one in your area; participate; reclaim your democracy). (Politics)

Solidarity with Los Angeles Demonstrators - Demonstrating against Immigration Raids (Politics)

Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Sacramento & Locke - June, 2025 - slideshow (Travel)

News: Trump holds meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz shows himself to be an honorable statesman. Trump, as usual, shows himself to be an arrogant, dishonest, incompetent buffoon. At least we can be grateful that he didn't sabotage Merz as he did Ukrainian leader Zelensky and South African leader Ramaphosa in the oval office in recent months (Associated Press Video - 41 min) (Politics)

News: The Trump-Musk bromance is over as accusations fly (Live now from Fox) (Politics)

Katherine Ann Shaw, professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, points out to Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) that Trump has simply engaged in more lawless activity than other presidents (by far). A fact "Republican victim" Hawley just doesn't want to accept. (MSNBC) (Politics)

Trump has pushed away—or deliberately threatened—American allies and trade partners, leaving the United States more isolated on the world stage. And now, Trump bans travelers from a dozen countries under the guise of national security. Democrats denounce the ‘reckless’ and ‘discriminatory’ ban. (click on pic to enlarge) (Politics)

News: AOC, 'Trans Girls Are Girls': AOC Blasts GOP Bill To Ban Transgender Athletes From Women's Sports (You go girl! You are brave enough to speak up on behalf of those getting discriminated against, ruthlessly) (Politics)

News: Transgender student-athlete AB Hernandez took home gold in the girls high jump and the triple jump at a meet. She was born a boy but has transitioned and now competes against the girls. President Trump signed an executive order seeking to ban transgender women from female sport. Trump is now threatening to withdraw federal funding from California over Hernandez's participation in this athletics event. Whose side are you on? I hope you are on the side of inclusion. I hope you are opposed to discrimination. From NPR, "More trans teens attempted suicide after states passed anti-trans laws, a study shows." (Politics)

News: Elon Musk Calls Trump Policy Bill a ‘Disgusting Abomination’ (click on image to enlarge) (Politics)

End of the School Year Student BBQ (Students)

Congratulations Graduates - Class of 2025 (Students)

News: Court strikes down most of Trump's tariffs, ruling them illegal (Politics)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/court-strikes-dow-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-ruling-them-illegal/ A federal court on Wednesday froze most of the sweeping tariffs imposed by President Trump on virtually every foreign nation, ruling the levies exceed the president's legal authority. The ruling — issued by a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of International Trade — halted the sweeping 10% tariffs Mr. Trump assessed on virtually every U.S. trading partner on "Liberation Day" last month, with higher tariffs threatened for dozens of countries. The court also blocked a separate set of tariffs imposed on China, Mexico and Canada by the Trump administration, which has cited drug trafficking and illegal immigration as its reasoning for the hikes. Global markets rallied on the news. The Trump administration has justified the tariffs by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA, which gives the president the power to regulate imports during certain emergency situations. But the court on Wednesday rejected the government's interpretation of the law, and said it would be unconstitutional for any law passed by Congress to give the president blanket authority to set tariffs. "The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder," the judges wrote Wednesday. The Trump administration has justified the tariffs by citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA, which gives the president the power to regulate imports during certain emergency situations. But the court on Wednesday rejected the government's interpretation of the law, and said it would be unconstitutional for any law passed by Congress to give the president blanket authority to set tariffs. "The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder," the judges wrote Wednesday. Following the decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade, a federal district judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that Mr. Trump's tariffs deriving from a series of executive orders invoking IEEPA are unlawful. U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras found that the law "does not authorize the president to impose the tariffs set forth" in five of his orders and barred the Trump administration from collecting any tariff deriving from them from the plaintiffs in the case, two family-owned businesses based in Illinois. The judge paused his order for 14 days to give the Justice Department time to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The case, Contreras wrote in a 33-page decision, "is about whether IEEPA enables the president to unilaterally impose, revoke, pause, reinstate, and adjust tariffs to reorder the global economy. The court agrees with plaintiffs that it does not." The Trump administration said in court papers with the trade court that it will appeal the ruling to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. The Justice Department has said that if the appeals court declines to provide interim relief in the coming hours, the U.S. will ask the Supreme Court to intervene Friday. "Absent at least interim relief from this Court, the United States plans to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court tomorrow to avoid the irreparable national-security and economic harms at stake," the Justice Department filing said. The department has also asked the U.S. Court of International Trade to pause enforcement of its ruling pending appeal. That court has given the states and small businesses until Friday at 12 p.m. to respond to the government's stay request. White House spokesperson Kush Desai responded to the ruling by defending the reasoning for the tariffs, saying the U.S.'s trade deficits with other countries have "created a national emergency that has decimated American communities." "It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness," Desai said in a statement. Tariffs are a signature part of Mr. Trump's second-term agenda. He argues the levies are necessary to boost U.S. manufacturing and end what he views as unfair trade practices. But the moves have rattled financial markets and drawn rebuke from Democrats, as well as some Republicans. Mr. Trump has stood by his tariff strategy but halted many of the levies while vowing to negotiate with U.S. trading partners. A set of so-called "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of countries were paused in April for a period of at least three months. Goods that fall under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement were exempted from 25% tariffs. Massive tariffs on Chinese goods have also been cut back amid negotiations. Meanwhile, the tariffs have drawn lawsuits from businesses, Democratic states and other parties. Wednesday's ruling was linked to two lawsuits: One from a group of businesses that say they have been harmed by the tariffs, and one from several states. Some of the lawsuits against the tariffs have raised legal doctrines long championed by conservative lawyers and judges to restrict the authority of executive branch agencies. Those include the major questions doctrine, which says Congress needs to give clear authorization for federal agencies to decide issues of major economic significance, and the nondelegation doctrine, which holds that Congress can't delegate its legislative power to the executive branch. "If this issue gets to the Supreme Court, which is a big if, and if it comes down to the major questions doctrine or the nondelegation doctrine, and those are big ifs as well, we believe the court's precedent requires them to rule in our favor," Somin told CBS News earlier this month.

Major Religions of the World - 2025 (click on image to enlarge) (Politics)

Religious differences have caused conflicts in the world, both historically and in the present day. Therefore, it seems important to understand the nature of a person's relationship to religious belief. Sigmund Freud viewed religion as a collective neurosis stemming from repressed infantile desires, particularly the Oedipus complex. Carl Jung, on the other hand, believed that religion plays a significant role in shaping people's psychology, viewing it as an important aspect of the human psyche and a crucial tool for individuation. He saw religion as a symbolic expression of life's meaning and a way to connect with the unconscious. (Psychology / Sociology)

1 of 4 of Carl Jung's Archetypes: The Self: This archetype represents the whole, integrated personality, the union of conscious and unconscious aspects. It is often symbolized by a circle, square, or quaternity, representing wholeness and totality. (Psychology / Sociology)

2 of 4 of Carl Jung's Archetypes: The Shadow: This archetype encompasses the unconscious, repressed aspects of our personality, including negative qualities, instincts, and desires. It's the "dark side" of our psyche, often misunderstood or denied. (Psychology / Sociology)

3 of 4 of Carl Jung's Archetypes: The Persona: This archetype is the social mask we wear to adapt to the external world, representing how we want others to perceive us. It can be a conscious or unconscious construct, influencing how we interact with society. (Psychology / Sociology)

4 of 4 of Carl Jung's Archetypes: The Anima/Animus: These archetypes represent the unconscious feminine (Anima) and masculine (Animus) aspects of the psyche, respectively. They are often associated with our relationships with the opposite gender and can influence our emotional and relational lives. (Psychology / Sociology)

Carl Jung, "You are what you do, not what you say you will do." (Psychology / Sociology)

Carl Jung, "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." (Psychology / Sociology)

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) Reads (Trump's) EPA Director a List of His Failures (Politics)

Thank Heaven for AOC - speaking about how, under new legislation proposed by Republicans, women could be kicked off of their insurance if they had a miscarriage (Politics)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Ben Cohen, the co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, was arrested during a protest in the US Senate over military aid to Israel and humanitarian conditions in Gaza. (Politics)

Brilliant Cold Open - Final Show for the 50th Season of SNL - It's Funny Because it's True (TV) (Funny / Politics)

Supreme Court rules against Trump administration in Alien Enemies Act case (CNBC) (Politics)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/16/supreme-court-alien-enemies-venezuela-deportation.html The Supreme Court on Friday granted a request by Venezuelan nationals seeking to block their removal from the United States under the Alien Enemies Act. In a 7-2 decision, the court said the Trump administration had not given the detainees enough time or adequate resources to challenge their deportations. “Under these circumstances, notice roughly 24 hours before removal, devoid of information about how to exercise due process rights to contest that removal, surely does not pass muster,” the ruling said. The justices barred the removal of the men, who the Trump administration alleges are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, pending a new decision from a lower federal appellate court. But “the Government may remove the named plaintiffs or putative class members under other lawful authorities,” they wrote. President Donald Trump raged against the ruling later Friday afternoon. Trump on Friday morning vented frustration toward the high court, writing that it “IS BEING PLAYED BY THE RADICAL LEFT LOSERS” That post came the day after the justices heard oral arguments in a case related to Trump’s controversial executive order ending birthright citizenship.

CA Senator Adam Schiff - Lesson from History - Senator Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957) who created a bogus Red Scare and smeared countless innocent victims in a five-year reign of terror. BTW, Roy Cohn (1927-1986) was chief counsel to Senator McCarthy. He is the same Roy Cohn who later represented and mentored Donald Trump during Trump's early business career. (Politics / History)

St Peter’s Square today, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, announcing that a conclave of cardinals had elected a new leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. He is Pope Leo from the U.S.A. Leo XIV called on Catholics to seek “a disarmed peace and a disarming peace” through “dialogue” and “building bridges”, in a brief speech heavy with themes of unity. (Religion / History)

Most Americans think that Trump is a "dangerous dictator." (Politics)

At 100 days in office, Trump's poll numbers, especially those related to the economy, are worse than any president in 80 years, but Trump is in denial calling it, "Fake news." Yet again, Trump refuses to admit the truth. He has failed the American people. (Politics)

The dominos are starting to fall. Mike Waltz takes the fall for "Signal gate" and is out as National Security Advisor. (Politics)

Even before the bombing, Israel was abusing Palestians though apartheid. In 2022, Amnesty International’s investigation showed that Israel has imposed a system of oppression and domination against Palestinians across all areas under its control: in Israel and the OPT, and against Palestinian refugees, in order to benefit Jewish Israelis. This amounts to apartheid and is prohibited by international law. (Politics)

There are people with integrity who will vote with their feet against corruption. Bill Owens, the Executive Producer of TV's 60 Minutes, resigned citing a loss of independent decision-making freedom. He stated that it had become clear he would no longer be allowed to run the show as he had always done, or make independent decisions based on what he believed was right for the program. (TV / Politics)

Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) frequently spoke about peace. He emphasized that it is a precious gift. He said that a constant effort is required to work toward justice, forgiveness, and love. He encouraged dialogue and mutual respect. He highlighted that true peace is not just the absence of war, but a state of harmony with oneself, nature, and others. (Religion / History)

California Senator Adam Schiff speaks to how Trump has adopted the big lie propaganda technique originally coined by Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf, who said, “The great masses of the people… will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one.” The big lie is repeated again and again. It is treated as if it is self-evidently true, in hopes of swaying the course of an argument in a direction that takes the big lie for granted rather than critically questioning it or ignoring it." (Politics)

What happened to Rubio's hard line against Putin? Before becoming Trump's Secretary of State, Rubio spoke out about Russia attacking Ukraine saying, "Vladimir Putin is the real aggressor in this war, and he is attempting an unjustified takeover of a sovereign, democratic country. The United States cannot recognize Putin's claims or we risk establishing a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes, like the Chinese Communist Party, to imitate." (CONGDP, 09.22.22) (Politics)

The gutsy New York Times published Larry David's gutsy satire of Bill Maher and his recent dinner with Trump. Following the dinner, Maher had praised Trump for, among other things, having a sense of humor (on his show, "Real Time with Bill Maher") (Funny / Politics)

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/opinion/larry-david-dinner.htmlImagine my surprise when in the spring of 1939 a letter arrived at my house inviting me to dinner at the Old Chancellery with the world’s most reviled man, Adolf Hitler. I had been a vocal critic of his on the radio from the beginning, pretty much predicting everything he was going to do on the road to dictatorship. No one I knew encouraged me to go. “He’s Hitler. He’s a monster.” But eventually I concluded that hate gets us nowhere. I knew I couldn’t change his views, but we need to talk to the other side — even if it has invaded and annexed other countries and committed unspeakable crimes against humanity. Two weeks later, I found myself on the front steps of the Old Chancellery and was led into an opulent living room, where a few of the Führer’s most vocal supporters had gathered: Himmler, Göring, Leni Riefenstahl and the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII. We talked about some of the beautiful art on the walls that had been taken from the homes of Jews. But our conversation ended abruptly when we heard loud footsteps coming down the hallway. Everyone stiffened as Hitler entered the room. He was wearing a tan suit with a swastika armband and gave me an enthusiastic greeting that caught me off guard. Frankly, it was a warmer greeting than I normally get from my parents, and it was accompanied by a slap on my back. I found the whole thing quite disarming. I joked that I was surprised to see him in a tan suit because if he wore that out, it would be perceived as un-Führer-like. That amused him to no end, and I realized I’d never seen him laugh before. Suddenly he seemed so human. Here I was, prepared to meet Hitler, the one I’d seen and heard — the public Hitler. But this private Hitler was a completely different animal. And oddly enough, this one seemed more authentic, like this was the real Hitler. The whole thing had my head spinning. He said he was starving and led us into the dining room, where he gestured for me to sit next to him. Göring immediately grabbed a slice of pumpernickel, whereupon Hitler turned to me, gave me an eye roll, then whispered, “Watch. He’ll be done with his entire meal before you’ve taken two bites.” That one really got me. Göring, with his mouth full, asked what was so funny, and Hitler said, “I was just telling him about the time my dog had diarrhea in the Reichstag.” Göring remembered. How could he forget? He loved that story, especially the part where Hitler shot the dog before it got back into the car. Then a beaming Hitler said, “Hey, if I can kill Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals, I can certainly kill a dog!” That perhaps got the biggest laugh of the night — and believe me, there were plenty.

News & Commentary: The Majority Report (with Sam Seder) spoke on the Bill Maher vs. Larry David feud pointing out the fact that even if Trump is "a nice guy" when you get him alone, it's irrelevant considering all the damage he has done and continues to do to people's lives (36 min). (Politics)

News: Harvard President will not give in to Trump's extortion efforts saying Harvard refuses to compromise its basic principles when it comes to First Amendment rights. Do you hear that Harvard alumnus and Trump supporter Mark Zuckerberg? Oh, that's right, you didn't graduate from Harvard. You dropped out during your sophomore year to pursue development of Facebook. Facebook, which has faced numerous lawsuits, including a $725 million settlement for a class action lawsuit related to data privacy violations, and a $90 million settlement for internet tracking using the "Like" button. There are also ongoing lawsuits from the Federal Trade Commission, states, and individual investors, alleging monopolization, mental health impacts, and misleading statements about risks. Zuckerberg and Trump are birds of a feather or should I say snakes of a scale (Politics)

Al Gore draws parallels between Trump and Nazi Germany. Like the Nazis, Trump seeks power by controlling the narrative. By turning the truth around. By blaming Ukraine when it is Russia that is attacking. (Politics)

Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) Spoke out in Support of Gaza (Religion / History)

Why do Trump voters have no regrets? Because the people they hate are getting hurt more (Arwa Mahdawi) (Politics)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/18/donald-trump-voters-people-hate-politics-prices

Proud to be a Californian: Gavin Newsom sues Trump over ‘unlawful’ tariffs (Politics)

As Trump continues to defy court orders, yes, we are in a constitutional crisis - Brooks and Capehart - PBS News Hour (TV / Politics)

News: In a late-night decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has halted the Trump administration’s plan to deport Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a wartime law not used since WWII. The emergency ruling comes after civil rights groups (including the ACLU) warned of overreach and ethnic targeting. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. (Politics)

News: U.S. District Judge Boasberg said in an order that he has found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt over their deportation flights to El Salvador. (MSNBC / TV / Politics)

Trump's Pay to Play Spells Corruption - Brooks and Capehart - PBS News Hour (TV / Politics)

According to CNN today: US Consumer Confidence Plummets to Second-lowest Level on Records going back to 1952 (Economy / Politics)

Article from www.redpepper.org.uk: Einstein’s nightmare: the fascist politicians wielding power in Israel (History / Politics)

https://www.redpepper.org.uk/global-politics/palestine-middle-east/einsteins-nightmare-the-fascist-politicians-wielding-power-in-israel/ In December 1948, a group of prominent US Jews, including Albert Einstein and Hannah Arendt, wrote a letter to the New York Times expressing concern over the emergence of ‘The Freedom Party’ (Tnuat Haherut) in the newly-created state of Israel. The letter described Tnuat Haherut as ‘closely akin in its organisation, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties’. As their letter details, Tnuat Haherut preached ultra-nationalism and racial superiority. Leader, Menachem Begin, was involved in the massacre of 240 men, women and children in the village of Deir Yassin. The letter predicted :‘from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.’ Today, as Israel continues to pound Gaza, it is clear that horrific future is upon us. It has been upon us from the establishment of the State of Israel, a settler-colonial project that required the forced removal and elimination of millions of inhabitants of historic Palestine. Since then, Israel has pursued a process of entrenched apartheid and an illegal and brutal occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). What is happening now feels very much like a second Nakba, in which Israel’s current Likud government has decided to undertake the ethnic cleansing of Gaza in order to realise their vision of Greater Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s anti-democratic assault on Israel’s judicial system, thus, serves two purposes: to free up his government to behave as they please in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and to ensure that he never faces prosecution for his political and personal malfeasance. Netanyahu’s sixth and current government is proudly fascist. The coalition comprises openly racist Islamophobes who were historically marginal in Israeli politics, but who are now driving policy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). The Israeli government of Netanyahu is very comfortable committing genocide. (By Andrew Feinstein, former African National Congress (ANC) MP, son of a Holocaust survivor, and author of The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade (Penguin, 2012)).

Senator Bernie Sanders warns us of the oligarchs in power who don't believe in the rule of law, nor the Constitution. He tells us, "The billionaire class which owns so much of our economy and media are now moving aggressively to own our political system." It's up to the people to take back the Democracy that the oligarchs are taking from us. Stirring things up at his rallies and on the Senate floor, at 83, Bernie is going strong. (Politics)

Good News: Galápagos Tortoise at Philadelphia Zoo Becomes First-time Mother at 97 (Biology / Nature)

CNN's Fareed Zakaria breaks down why Trump's tariffs will be disastrous. (Politics)

Dr. Samer Attar - Chicago surgeon, 49, recently finished a fifth mission to Gaza. Attar is also a professor of surgery at Northwestern University. Attar told 60 Minutes about Gaza, "I can serve your community. I can bear witness to your suffering. And then just make some noise about it." (Politics / Aid)

Bibi Netanyahu (prime minister of Israel) is responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians including women and children. He is a fascist. Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian and ultranationalist political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy (a system of government by one person with absolute power) and militarism. (Politics)

Protest Today - Civic Center - San Francisco (Politics)

Senator Booker said, "In this democracy, the power of people is greater than the people in power." Take to the streets today (Saturday, April 5) - Hands Off! National Day of Action - to stand up against those who believe they can take whatever they want—our democracy, our future, our rights. (Politics)

Cory Booker filibuster pleads for, "Good trouble." (Politics)

Trump's Disastrous Tariffs - Brooks and Capehart - TV's PBS News Hour (Politics)

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, speaks about how he was invited to a national security group chat on Signal - what he heard, what he exposed, what are the wider implications. (Politics)

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem (who famously wrote about proudly killing her puppy) uses prisoners (who have not had their due process) as her props as she tries to look tough in a sexy skin-tight top and perfectly coiffed hair and overly made up plastic surgery face while wearing a $50K Rolex. Even conservative commentator Megyn Kelly is disgusted. (Politics)

Fascism rejects the view that violence is inherently negative or pointless but rather views imperialism, political violence, and war as means to national rejuvenation. Case in point - Trump's attempt to seize Greenland. (Politics)

Some of the Signal Chat that Trump's Buffoons Allowed to be Released. Careless handling of military information, especially direct military action, puts American soldiers and the world in danger. Trump's Secretary of Defense Hegseth and National Security Advisor Waltz are a threat to our security. (Politics)

Dangerously stupid Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth leaked military information on a Signal group chat that conveyed details of the timing and weapons descriptions of a planned attack against the Houthis in Yemen when he included not only the names or initials of 18 Trump's people, but also, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Goldberg published his account of the messages. Thus, he exposed the carelessness of Trump's cabinet members. That carelessness puts American lives at risk.

Trump said he would improve the economy. He is failing. Poll from March 16, 2025. (Economy / Politics)

Trump's Authoritarian Government at Work - Free Speech is Dead for Foreigners in America who don't Support his Agenda (Politics)

Alert: April 5 Protest (Politics)

Southern comedian Cliff Cash hilariously makes fun of MAGA People (Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, homophobes, racists, bigots, white supremacists, Republicans) - 11 min

Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, “Republicans control the House. They control the Senate, and they control the presidency. Everything that happens or fails to happen in Washington, D.C. is on the Republicans.” (Politics)

Documenting Hate: New American Nazis (full documentary) | FRONTLINE (Video - 54 min) (Politics / History)

Thomas Jefferson, "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." (History / Politics) (Quote)

Fascism depends on the idea of "us vs. them." It dehumanizes segments of the population, trying to reduce empathy and justify inhumane treatment of them. For Nazis, the segments were Jews, homosexuals and people with disabilities. For Trump's America, the segments are people of non-European origin and people with left-leaning politics. Jews were the scapegoat of Nazi's. Trump's scapegoats are immigrants and the former President Biden. (Politics / History)

"Trump: America First" This book title says it all. Fascism depends on ultra-nationalism and is always home grown. Trump and his followers are fascists working to dismantle our democracy. Don't be complacent. If you are not fighting against this, you will be partly to blame when our democracy fails. (Politics)

We all need to be heroes like Dorothy Thompson. She was one of America's most urgent, eloquent voices against fascism. Her writing and radio broadcasts alerted millions of people to Nazi Germany's threat to democracy and international peace. (Politics / History)

EXPOSING the Rise of Modern Authoritarianism Rick Wilson talks with Jason Stanley (Video - 38 min) (Politics)

"How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them" a book by Jason Stanley. The author explains fascism in depth, highlighting similarities between Trump and historical fascism. (Politics)

NAZI TOWN, USA (Chapter 1) - Watch this. The footage and history will shock you. History repeats itself. There were Nazis in America (The German American Bund) and Germany in the 1930s. Less than 100 years later, fascism is here again led by Trump. Trump has hit the ground running. He is dismantling our democracy and putting his fascist government in its place. (10 min)

This photo of Musk giving the Nazi salute has not been doctored. This was Musk thumping for Trump during the campaign. Was the American population not horrified by this? When voters voted to "Make America Great Again," did they mean "Make America Nazi Germany?"