Move Over Henry Kissinger

Rubio told the media yesterday morning that Israel was going to attack Iran, and we had to join in to minimize the damage that would come to American bases in retaliation from Iran. Trump had told us on Saturday we were attacking Iran to stop their path to nuclear weapons and other aggressions on their part. By yesterday afternoon, Trump was contradicting Rubio, claiming Iran was ready to attack.

Most analysts give credence to General Caine's briefing, which indicated that it was a planned, coordinated joint effort with Israel. They conclude that Rubio's Israel version is to help Republicans in the midterms with voters upset with the new war.

In a more studied administration, the President and Secretary of State would have the same story. Trump described his negotiators as people doing this their whole lives. I know that Witkoff and Kushner have a background in real estate, it was news to me that they also were experienced diplomats. Move over Henry Kissinger.

Trumper Dilemma

As I often have written, there are two Trump factions...There are the MAGAs, and there are the Republican partisans. Like all couples, occasionally there is tension. The MAGA faction is upset because of the Epstein files. Who could believe that Trump ever chased women or soon to be women? The MAGA is upset because Trump seems to have forgotten about endless wars and regime changes. Who could believe that Trump ever knew or cared what he was talking about?

The partisans are upset because they can't afford to lose any MAGA votes come next November. They are upset because it's tiring to defend someone who changes their mind twice a week.

According to Trump, everything that he does is the best the world has ever seen. If he has a speech writer, that writer must be one of the worst any politician ever had. But then again, Trump was never a politician, but a cult leader, who is getting short in charisma.

Trump's Attack On Iran

Ryan Crosswell, Democratic candidate for the 7th Congressional District, has among others questioned Trump's attack on Iran. He finds the objective murky, and the Congressional approval missing in action. 

Trump's contention that the Iranian public should now rise up ignores the reality that they have no weapons. Furthermore, there is also some public mourning in Iran for the death of their leaders. What percentage of the population favored regime change is unclear.

Besides the Netanyahu faction in Israel, Arab leaders had discouraged Trump's course of action. While the attack didn't surprise anyone considering the armada the United States assembled, world leaders will have less faith when we hold talks. In the short run, Israel will benefit most from the joint attack on Iran. How long that benefit lasts, along with its human cost, remains to be seen.

The Emporium Of High Culture

An iconic painting by Jessica Lenard, offered to a good home with a large wall. The painting is 5X6 ft.   $1000 with buyer arranging transport from Allentown

contact form on blog sidebar

Trump's State Of Delusion

I don't know if a president was ever more divisive and insulting than Trump on Tuesday night. If I was a Democrat or Supreme Court Justice, I would have stood up and walked out.

He repeated his tired lines, such as if he was President the Ukraine/Russian war would have never started. He omitted his pledge to end that conflict on day one. He threw a treat to both his puppies, Vance and Rubio.

His economic good news isn't being felt at the kitchen table. Republicans will lose bigly in the midterms.

A Latino District

Because of Allentown's rapid demographic shift, the Pennsylvania legislature decided in 2014 to create a separate district for essentially downtown Allentown. Although the first new representative Peter Schweyer wasn't hispanic, he had eaten once at a Taco Bell. In 2023 his south side residence was redistricted into the 134th, and Josh Siegel was elected for the 22nd. Although Siegel also wasn't hispanic, he did drink a Corona beer at a Democratic picnic.

This past November Siegel was elected County Executive, and on Tuesday a special election resulted in the first Latino elected for the district, Ana Tiburcio. In May, Ana will face Ce-Ce Gerlach in the Democratic primary for a full term starting in January of 2027. Bob Smith Jr. will again be the Republican candidate.

Ce-Ce Gerlach is not Latina, but partly minority and fully a campaign workhorse. While Tiburcio will have some status as a short term incumbent, she will have to knock on a lot of doors to compete with Ce-Ce.

shown above Ce-Ce Gerlach at a street fair that she organized in 2013 to raise money for school uniforms.