Trump Shoots Then Aims

Donald Trump wants a trophy for fixing the things that he broke. He's now looking at extending the Affordable Care Act, after our country suffered its longest shutdown in history. We're bonusing Air Traffic Controllers, after Musk decimated the system with DOGE. We're relaxing tariffs on foodstuffs from South America, after their flow was hampered by his wily nilly tariffs.

He tore down the East Wing, and now even his architect is becoming less than proud of the plans. Here on this blog, the partisans continue to defend the policies more, and the man less. They read the polls, and see the writing on the wall.

In this last local election, they got Charlie Dent to endorse Roger MacLean on their last mailing. It wasn't that many years ago that they were calling Dent a RINO, for not thinking that Trump could walk on water. Don't expect Ryan Mackenzie to seek Trump's endorsement by the 2026 midterms.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Mackenzie Getting Nervous

Subscribers to this blog remember that I took Mayor Matt Tuerk to task for his trip to the Dominican Republic. Although there are many Dominicans in Allentown, the pandering quotient was blatant. However, now local US Congressman Mackenzie has made the same trip, and to me it's apparent that he's hoping for some Latino votes come November. 

Sorry Ryan, but your Commander and Chief has cooked that goose, but good. Your explanation for the trip, about trade and security, are a giggle. Don't expect a big Dominican turnout come midterms.

I can appreciate that you're beginning to find this blog annoying. If you're really intent on Latino votes, you would have to speak out against Trump's ICE Capades, which would injure you with the MAGA base. Good luck with your juggling.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

ADDENDUM: This blog is published every weekday, holidays included.

Ruminations From An Old Blog(ger)

I don't purport to be nice, that's a trait that never reached me. While this blog is in its eighteenth year, only recently have I broken out of Allentown, toward Washington... Trump does move people. I voted for him in 2016, but couldn't do so again in 2020 (or 2024), when I voted for an independent. After Jan. 6, I find his current complaint against Mark Kelly very ironic. 

As an independent conservative, local Republicans comprised a large part of my readership. Their partisanship is causing them to proclaim intense disappointment in me. Life has disappointments. I was caught of guard by Majorie Green's announced resignation. I recently posted that she is joining a small but growing group pushing back against the King. There are trip words in this political world, and King is one of them. I will receive comments that now I should go stand with the other blue haired boomers protesting at the local congressman's office.

I don't stand with protesters, but I will be speaking out here on the blog. Speaking out was what this blog was about since day one. If it's a mayor in Allentown, a governor in Harrisburg, or a president in Washington, I'll speak my mind. If I lose or gain a few readers, it won't affect my lunch.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

ADDENDUM: Another change coming to this blog is advertisements. This is an experiment of sorts...there will be different ad densities (number of ads) and different ad placements. It will be third party provided, without control on my part concerning placement or products advertised.

Trump vs Kelly

Mark Kelly and others reminded Trump last week that the military is not obliged to follow illegal orders in violation of the Constitution. Trump initial response was that Kelly and company could be executed for treason. Trump apparently was convinced to tamper down that threat, but he can't completely restrain himself. This weekend he reduced his death threat to jail.

The real threat to America is Trump's inability to measure his words in a presidential fashion. Despite previously being president, he thinks he can say and tweet whatever pops into his head, with no deliberation.

Attacking Kelly was like his profoundly ignorant remark about John McCain in 2015. Although Kelly did not spend six years in a North Vietnam prison camp like McCain, he did fly 39 combat missions over Iraq before becoming an astronaut. Yes, Trump is Commander and Chief, but that title comes with a responsibility which is lost on him.

Trump sycophant Defense Secretary Hegseth has the Pentagon reviewing if court martial charges should be brought against Kelly. I don't know if Mark Kelly has any presidential ambitions for 2028, but if he does, Hegseth just gave Kelly a gift.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

MAGA Not Invited

When the Trump family sat down with the royal family of Saudi Arabia last week, the MAGA red hats were not invited. While the disciples ate hamburger at home, Trump's guests dined on rack of lamb. While the MAGA crowd grumbled about the upcoming half time show, the Trump juniors were accepting investments in their Saudi projects. Before dinner, Trump had F35's fly over the White House, to remind the royals what was at stake.

However, even before the dinner, I believe MAGA was already losing their appetite. Maybe they are not quite ready to admit it, but despite any high school football concussions, they know a slight when they see one. VP Vance told them, “As much progress as we’ve made, it’s going to take a little bit of time for every American to feel that economic boom, which we really do believe is coming. We believe that we’re on the front end of it,”  Vance may have to eat those words if he runs in 2028.

Trump's threats of sponsoring a primary opponent against any defectors this spring is ringing hollow, except perhaps to Marjorie Green. However, the coming battles in the general election are feared, and rightfully so. The incumbents, especially freshman, are running out of time to exert their independence from their Trump Trance.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Homeless Camp Fire On Kline's Island

I know a little about Kline's Island, enough to know that the LCA and the city had to know about the camp being there. I had no issue with the city removing the camps from Jordan Meadows. That area was a new addition to our park system, and was causing a hardship to adjoining properties.

I was somewhat surprised when the city administration removed the camp just south of Union Street. That camp adjoined no residential real estate. I was told on good source, that eviction resulted from a complaint from Promise Neighborhoods.

Homeless camps are nothing new to any city. While traditionally, most of the occupants had social issues, in these times, high rents are another cause. No city administration is going to solve the problem and eliminate camps. Hopefully, the unfortunate occupants will find another location which doesn't result in municipal interference.

photocredit/The Morning Call: Shown above former city councilwoman Emma Tropiano, camping near Kline's Island in her 1989 campaign for mayor.

I'm not here to be polite or popular