Is Iran Willing to Take the Off-ramp?

"Don't believe them! Don't trust them!" - Captain Kirk to Spock, Star Trek VI - The Undicovered Country

With all the glee being expressed this morning with the surprising post by President Trump regarding the temporary halting of bombing in Iran, the regime has shown that its word is meaningless as it has practiced "Taqiyy'a" at every turn during negotiations with the US and others over forty-seven years.

In short, the Quranic concept of Taqiyy'a serves as a safe harbor for individuals facing extreme, life-threatening scenarios, permitting the inward holding of faith while outwardly appearing to conform. Basically, dissembling.

Essentially, President Trump announced Monday that the US will not attack any part of Iran’s power and energy infrastructure for five days after Washington and Tehran engaged in "very good and productive talks" over the weekend about ending the three-week-old war.

In a subsequent phone call with CNBC, Trump said that the US is “very intent on making a deal with Iran” and characterized discussions as very intense.

The author of The Art of the Deal is providing the regime an off-ramp to give it time to save face. But it is a limited time offer.

The markets are responding this morning to the news by surging to levels which give confidence to investors to return to previous positive levels across all market entities. it is still early in the day, so it is something to watch.

In addition, futures oil prices have dropped 8% to 10% in this morning's trading based on this news. It portends to see significant continued lower energy costs worldwide if there is a positive outcome in the negotiations.

Many years ago, as the US - Soviet relations thawed which ultimately ended the Cold War, President Reagan offered sage advice which still can be applied today as the Iran negotiations enter this next phase: Trust, but verify. President Trump would be wise to follow this advice.

One must also take heed to Kirk's statement until and unless the Iran regime actually agrees to terms as outlined by President Trump's offer to the deal. Otherwise, it only gives the regime a chance to take a deep breath to resume its hostile ways.

By Friday, we will all bear witness to Iran's true intent and acceptance of the Trump offer.

ICE Will Assist TSA to Secure Our Airports

Since February 14, Senate Democrats, led by Chuckles Schumer, have persisted in shuttering the DHS, and its agencies, like FEMA, CBP, the Coast Guard, and other agencies including TSA,  but NOT INCLUDING ICE, and have caused  a travel nightmare across the country. In addition, the stalemate has not affected  ICE, since it was separately funded until 2029.

TSA agents have quit, called in sick, and essentially slowed operations because they have not been paid, all because the Democrats have refused to budge from a failed stance.

Finally, President Trump has had enough of Democrats' political posturing. In a Truth Social post, he called the Democrats, and the Left, "the greatest enemy" to national security now that Iran's Islamic Republic regime was essentially defeated. In the same post, he ordered ICE to add support to TSA in our nation' airports.

In response, Representative Hiccup Jeffries responded, “Donald Trump should keep his reckless mouth shut before he gets somebody killed,” Jeffries said during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when asked about Trump’s Sunday morning Truth Social post.

Rather than taking a hint to stand  down with the failing shutdown with the ICE reassignment to support TSA, apparently Jeffries decided he would double-down with false outrage over a truth which President Trump expressed succinctly. Democrats are more interested in supporting illegals than defending the Anericans they are elected to represent.

Now, tomorrow morning, ICE will be deployed to airports across the country to take on security issues in order to allow TSA agents man the X-Ray machines and perform other tasks they are trained to do. And allow ICE to speed up security lines, which have stretched up to three hours or more at some airports.

“On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job despite the fact that the Radical Left Democrats, who are only focused on protecting hard line criminals who have entered our Country illegally, are endangering the USA by holding back the money that was long ago agreed to with signed and sealed contracts, and all,” Trump wrote onTruth Social.

It is time for the Democrats to end their infantile temper tantrum, since they are increasingly alienating the American public at large. By holding to keep the government and DHS shut down, American impatience will only infururiate  voters more with Democrats' intransigence, especially as we approach the summer and our vacation season.

It is time for Chuckles and Hiccup to admit they lost their fight to continue posturing for a lost  cause, lest some unforseen tragedy befall us and leave blood on their hands.

A True New Year's Wish

Yesterday, at 7:49 AM, we welcomed the Spring Equinox once again. And today, it is the first full day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is a day where we say good-bye  to winter and begin the true rebirth of longer days, warmer nights and happier times.

Many civilizations for thousands  of years have celebrated this time. In the Roman Empire, the year began on March 1, with a two-week celebration called the Kalends, and ending with the Ides.

Chinese, Japanese and other East Asians, have celebrated for thousands of years, Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which is a fifteen-day celebration starting with the second new moon after the winter solstice (late January to mid-February), marking the transition of the seasons. Rooted in ancient agricultural rituals, it honors ancestors and deities, often associated with the legend of the monster Nian, who was frightened away by red decorations, lights, and loud noises.

And beginning thousands of years ago, Nowruz, translating to "new day," is celebrated as the Persian New Year to mark the spring equinox, symbolizing rebirth, renewal and the triumph of joy over sorrow. Rooted in over 3,000 years of tradition, it signifies the start of spring and the renewal of life, celebrated by over 300 million people globally, particularly across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus.

This year in Iran, the hope is for this time to reveal the beginning  of the rebirth of an Iran, in a time before the invasion of the terrorists of the Islamic Republic, which overthrew the most westernized society ever to exist in that country. The people are longing for it; they are DEMANDING it.

 It is complete with a traditional haft-seen, a belated and re-imagined Chaharshanbe Suri, the ancient Persian "Festival of Fire"  and music from the Chloe Pourmorady Ensemble . Despite its Zoroastrian origins, Nowruz is now celebrated by a diverse group of people, including many Persian Jews.

In addition, the Haft-Seen (seven 'S's) is a central Persian New Year (Nowruz) tradition, featuring a table with symbolic items starting with the Persian letter "S". Representing renewal, health, and prosperity, the key items include Sabzeh (sprouts), Samanu (wheat pudding), Senjed (oleaster), Seer (garlic), Seeb (apple), Serkeh (vinegar), and Somagh (sumac). 

The table remains in the home for the 13 days of the New Year celebration, with the Sabzeh typically disposed of in running, cleansing water on the 13th day (Sizdah Bedar). 

Sadly, the despotic Islamic Republic has decided to exercise its latest cruelty in its desparate dying days by hanging nineteen-year-old Saleh Mohamedi, a celebrated Olympic Champion,  and four other young protesters, for the contrived crime of "waging war and sin against God". Their crime? Protesting against the regime for denying them more freedoms.

Hopefully, these martyrs will be remembered as heroes, who sacrificed their lives to be the symbols of the iconic "Phoenix" to help Iran rise from the burning ashes of the criminal and inhuman miscreants of the evil and satanic Islamic Republic.

And may the "New And Reborn Iran" celebrate Nowruz Pirooz, a successful, happy, and victorious new beginning,  and the triumph of light over darkness, with the final defeat of the regime after forty-seven years of untold evil.

The Short Term Cost for Nuclear Peace

We have all witnessed the spike in the cost of gas since the start of the War in Iran since February  28. Most prices have increased at least a dollar a gallon or more.

Across the country, gas is once again over $3.50 a gallon. According to AAA, the national average is approaching $4.00, with the cost per gallon at $3 80 in Florida, $4.96 in Hawaii, $3.65 in New York and $5.58 in California. Even Kansas and Oklahoma, which have the lowest prices in the country, are also now over $3.00.

While it is painful right now, which affects the cost of everything in our economy, it is a small price to pay short-term, for a long-term peace after the removal of an evil theocracy. The Islamic "Republic" bragged about having the capability to build eleven or more nuclear bombs in short order. 

This was a warning to American negotiators which could not be ignored. The regime expected for an Obama-Biden response from the US which would once again cower in fear from Iran's nuclear threat. But the US is now led by a President with balls.

It is now twenty days since Iran was surprised by the unexpected response from President Trump. The Ayatollah and many members of his regime have been eliminated. As well, the second and third tier of replacements either have been killed, or are scurrying like rats in a sewer.

By all estimates, this war will soon be over, and a peaceful and sane Iran will emerge. The people of Iran will once again be free and will be productive members of the world's civilized society. They have suffered long enough under a tyranny which suppressed their freedoms.

For those of us who have lived here enjoying those same freedoms, we can appreciate others who long to achieve the same. It is innate in humanity to live with conditions which promote, rather than hinder, these God-given inalienable rights.

So, for Americans to pay a small price in the increase in gas to live with long-term peace, without another nation with nuclear weapons, it is well-worth it.

And when peace finally comes in Iran, and all through the Middle East, we will all be relieved when prices in gas come crashing down again.

Is the End of A Criminal Regime Near?

Most of the western countries, including Israel and the United States, consider Masoud Pezeshkian the current secular President (since July 2024), classified as a reformist within the Islamic Republic's system. He is a former heart surgeon who operates within the strictures of the theocratic regime, loyal to the Supreme Leader, rather than a secular leader.

He has served as a former minister of health and he is described as a "reformist Principalist," combining reformist views with loyalty to the Islamic Republic system.

He is categorized as a reformist who supports diplomacy with the West and loosening of social restrictions, including relaxing the forceful hijab policies, though he operates within the strictures of the Islamic Republic's conservative system.

After the military attacked  Iran"s neighbors including the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other neutral gulf countries, he apologized for the attack. This did not sit well with the hardliners in the regime and was apparently pushed aside, leaving him little room to maneuver.

Since his apologies, the hardliners have doubled down by attacking Iran's neighbors again. Also, they have actually angered the former neutral gulf states to align with the US in its efforts to rid the region of the terror government.

And since the regime and the IRGC refuse to listen to Pezeshkian, the Islamic Republic is stumbling wildly to its end. It appears there is a "civil war" between the theocracy and generals against the rank and file soldiers.

The generals and other hardliners are scurrying to take cover in schools, hospitals and other civilian buildings, while the troops are running off to the surrounding fields for protection. A breakdown in order is becoming increasingly evident.

And with the recent decapitation of the Basij leadership, the police are beginning to walk away, as well. 

Reports indicate Pezeshkian survived targeted strikes and was reported "unharmed" or only slightly injured in attacks, including some internal attempts at assassination. He is now operating in a highly unstable environment where his survival depends on the stability of the transitional government and the outcome of the ongoing conflict.

it could be that Massoud Pezeshkian may be the last President of the Islamic Republic  and the end of its non-holy, murderous theocratic despotic  regime. We will see soon.

A St Patrick's Day Story and Wish For Ye

St Patrick's Day has been celebrated in the US for over 420 years, with the first recorded celebration occurring in 1600 and the first parade in 1601, both in the Spanish colony of St Augustine, Florida. It was brought to the colonies by Irish immigrants and soldiers, with major parades in cities like New York dating back to 1762.

Key historical milestones for the holiday in the US include:

• 1600/1601: Earliest recorded celebration and parade (St Augustine, Florida)
• 1737: First recorded Boston celebration
• 1762: First New York City parade held by Irish soldiers

Public celebrations grew significantly in the 18th and 19th centuries as Irish immigrants used the holiday to express their cultural pride.

Now, at least for this day, all American citizens, regardless of heritage and ancestry, are Irish in order to celebrate the Patron Saint of Ireland and New York City.

As much as it is a day for parades, parties and frivolity, it should also be a day to be extra cautious, as we are living under an increased threat of terror, as witnessed by several recent events across the country.

So, enjoy the day, while keeping safe and aware of everything around you. And may the Luck O' the Irish be with you throughout the year 

Standing Up For Americans First

It is startling that the Democrats, led by Senator Chuckles Schumer and Representative Hiccup Jeffries, have suffered from the continued dual selective disease called political deafness and blindness. They are proving to be the clowns of the United States Congress.

But with the latest terrorist attacks in Virginia and Michigan, which was preceded by the attacks in Austin and New York, it gives pause to realize it isn't funny any more.

If it ever was.

And the latest government  shutdown they are hanging the American people to endure needlessly, is truly beginning to backfire.

They claim it is over reforming ICE; but ICE is funded until late 2029. But they refuse to fund DHS anyway, as if THAT will fix ICE.

DHS, you know, the Department of Homeland Security, includes many agencies where employees have not been paid since mid-February.  But these same people have NOT BEEN PAID for seventy- five days since the Democrats  began their ongoing tantrums since October 1.

If you recall, they initially shut down the government over their stance to get health care benefits for illegals, which lasted for forty-three days. Now, for another thirty-two days and counting, it is shutdown down again over removing illegals by ICE.

Americans are being impacted by this latest move by the Democrats in air travel security, our border security, costal security and other areas which are covered by DHS. And terrorists are definitely living among us.

TSA is now advising passengers to arrive four or more hours to get through the increased delays, caused by employee shortages to clear passengers safely. 

And CEOs of American airline companies are imploring Democrats to end their pointless tantrum.

 "Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long, and painfully slow, lines at checkpoints," ​the CEOs of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska ⁠Air and others wrote in an open letter to Congress.

"First, leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement ​to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they need to act so this problem never happens again," they added.

Perhaps Chuckles and Hiccup  should end this clown show before something tragic happens which will be their fault alone. What will they say then?

They are supposed to stand up for Americans, but they don't. Maybe it is time to replace them with Democrats who LOVE this country.

It is time to clear the ears and open the eyes to stand up for Americans first. Once again.