A Tale of Two Mayors' Races

Not since 1969, has there been such an upheaval by the incumbent Mayor to run for re-election. In that race, Republican Mayor John Lindsay lost the Republican primary to State Senator John Marchi, and former Mayor Robert Wagner lost the Democrat primary to Comptroller Mario Procaccino. Since Lindsay had the Liberal Party endorsement, he ran on that line.

 

That November, John Lindsay won re-election with 42.4% of the vote, beating Procaccini with 34.8% and Marchi with 22.7%. And in New York City, there are always minor candidates who pick up the difference. Shortly after the election, Lindsay became a Democrat.

Fast forward fifty-six years. The current, embattled Democrat Mayor, Eric Adams, faces an insurmountable uphill battle with former Governor, Andrew Cuomo, and a host of other Democrat, leftist candidates for the nomination. He is currently running with single-digit polling numbers, hardly a gnat’s chance to win.

And Guardian Angel founder, radio host Curtis Sliwa, has garnered the Republican Party nomination.

So, now that the corruption charges were dropped and dismissed against him, Mayor Adams, as reported in today’s New York Post, is running now as an Independent.

In a video, he said, “More than 25,000 New Yorkers signed my Democratic primary petition, but the dismissal of the bogus case against me dragged on too long, making it impossible to mount a primary campaign while these false accusations were held over me,” Adams said in the six-minute spiel.

“But I’m not a quitter. I’m a New Yorker,” he continued. “And that is why today, although I am still a Democrat, I am announcing that I will forgo the Democratic primary for mayor and appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election.”

Still, the major shift to the general election, which was first reported by Politico, will be a steep uphill battle to change voters’ minds after a first term marred by scandals and plummeting poll numbers.

It seems he is taking the easy way out, but a lot can happen in the almost seven months until Election Day. Once the dust clears after the primary in June, the voters will have a clearer picture of the remaining candidates to choose from in November.

And in light of the fact that Eric Adams was once a Republican, will he switch back after the election, win of lose? Much like John Lindsay switched in 1969? Lindsay parlayed that move to become a major player in the Democrat Party for a very short time, until he faded into the sunset.

Will that happen to Eric Adams, too? Or will he continue to fight for his political future?

Only time will tell.

The Boys Come Home and Play To the Crowd

Last year, the Mets started in the basement 0 and 5 before they won their first game. By the end of the 2024 season, OMG, they missed the Pennant by one game.

 

They began this season on the road, in Houston, where they won one of the three games, and then, in Miami, where they won two of the three games, including an 11 inning thriller, 6 to 5. So, already this year is starting off better than last at 3 wins and 3 losses.

And now, they go home to play a six-game series starting Friday afternoon at 3 PM against Toronto and Miami. Coming out of the homestead 5 and 1 with an 8 and 4 record would be terrific.

Thus far, Pete Alonso is hitting .286, with two home runs and eight RBI. Juan Soto is hitting .238, with one HR and two RBI, while Brandon Nimmo is hitting .250 with two HR and three RBI. And Francisco Lindor, true to form, has started off slowly, but is expected to have another great year.

The pitching will improve as the season heats up, but there have been several key spots, even in the games they lost.

Of course, it is really early, but the team, as assembled, is expected to win it all. It is what every Mets fan wishes for each season.

So sit back, get ready and cheer the boys of summer on with that familiar cry: Lets Go METS!

The Special Election of 2025

Tuesday, there were two House special elections in Florida and a race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge. At the time this is written (9:15PM 4/1), the House seats were won by Republicans and with about 60% of the Wisconsin votes counted showed the Democrat candidate ahead by 10 points.

 

Democrats and the Lame Stream Media considered this an early referendum vote on how the public perceived the job President Trump was doing.

Apparently, based on the Florida result, one would say, “pretty good”.

The Florida result pushed the Republican majority up to 220 to 213. It has given the Republicans a bit of breathing room in their control of the House of Representatives. Two open seats exist due to deaths of two Democrats last month, which will have special elections soon.

Randy Fine was projected to defeat Democrat Josh Weil, an Orlando teacher, and succeed former Rep. Mike Waltz, who represented Florida’s 6th District for six years before resigning to become President Trump’s national security adviser.

And Jimmy Patronis, the former Florida CFO, had a slightly easier time replacing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in the Panhandle-based 1st District, where he led Democrat Gay Valimont by 14.8 percentage points with most of the votes counted.

All in all, it was a good night for President Trump and the Republicans, at least in Florida. Now, the Republicans need to get the rest of the “big, beautiful bill” passed and sent to the President by Memorial Day.

And, of course, should the Democrat win in the swing state of Wisconsin, that is all the media will be talking about for days.

The Positive Result of Threatening Tariffs

This is no April Fool's Day joke or spoof. It was announced today that Israel, in order to improve its special relationship with the United States, has cancelled ALL tariffs on American goods ahead of President Trump's promise to assess reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners.

 

Considering Israel is a leading supplier of all things tech-related, this is a big deal.

"In addition to the economic benefits for the economy and citizens of Israel, this move will allow us to further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the United States," Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement. "We will continue to work to remove barriers and tariffs and to reinforce our special relationship with the United States."

As reported by Fox Business, the US is Israel's largest trading partner and closest ally, with bilateral trade worth $34 billion in 2024, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Forty ÿears ago, the two countries entered into a free trade agreement, which has fallen a bit by the wayside in recent years. But Israeli officials said this tariff reduction would apply to "a very limited number of products," chiefly US food and agricultural imports.

It is a restart of what has been a good and beneficial relationship for both sides. And it shows that the Israeli Prime Minister respects the current American President and takes him at his word.

In this case, there will be a reciprocal non-tariff response by the Trump Administration. Which benefits both countries.

And that, friends, is how it is done.

Uncovering Untold Largesse in the Congress

This should be interesting. Did you ever wonder how our politicians enter Congress on the balls of their @$$÷$ with no money, and within two or three years, they have a net worth of $20MM?

 

Elon Musk was asked that question and now, he and his DOGE team are hell-bent to find out. Very quickly.

According to Monday's New York Post, at the Wisconsin town hall on Sunday, one attendee at the town hall had asked Musk if DOGE had uncovered evidence of funds wired from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“They’ll [the government] send the money overseas to one NGO [non-governmental organization], then they’ll go through a bunch of them, and then I’m highly confident that a bunch of that money then comes back to the United States and lands in the pockets of the people you just mentioned,” Musk replied.

“But it is a circuitous route. It doesn’t go directly, but let’s just say that there’s a lot of strangely wealthy members of Congress where I’m trying to connect the dots of, ‘How do they become rich?’”

Based on his team’s previous efforts or finding corruption elsewhere in the government bureaucracy, you can be sure they will quickly find how the scheme works. And who has reaped financial rewards beyond anyone’s imagination.

“How do they get $20 million if they’re earning $200,000 a year?” Musk further pondered. “We’re going to try to figure it out and certainly stop it from happening.”

It is almost like an eerie Oprah Christmas Show. You know, where you become a Member of Congress, and suddenly, “You get twenty million and you do too! And you get fifteen million! And

 you get ten!”

And soon thereafter, another cell block may be opening at Guantanamo or El Salvador.

Get your popcorn and cokes, and enjoy the show!

The New Voice of European Destiny

There is one European leader who is far and away more Conservative American-leaning than any other European leader presently in their position. This leader is more concerned about her nation's security and economic stability. 

She is a Gen-Xer, a Christian, and the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister of her country.

 

Like President Trump, she believes and professes to put HER country first. She is Giorgia Meloni.

She understand the complexities of NATO and the European Union. But she is not allowing her country to bow its allegiance to either.

When she was asked if she would assist France and Great Britain in putting peace-keepers into Ukraine, she said they were welcome to do that, but without Italian troops.

There is both desperation and brilliance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposal to provide Ukraine with postwar security by offering to cover it with the umbrella of NATO’s Article 5 Security guarantee, but not membership itself.

It is a middle-ground approach without forcing Russia to accept NATO completely on its borders.

"The deployment of Italian troops to Ukraine has never been on the agenda, just as we believe that the deployment of European troops proposed by France and the United Kingdom is a very complex, risky, and ineffective option," she said.

In her 2011 book We Believe, Meloni wrote: "I am a right-wing woman, and I proudly support women's issues. In recent years we have had to suffer contempt and racism by feminists. ... Perhaps as far as feminism is conceived in this way, it is more a question of ideology than of gender and substance." She is opposed to pink quotas and has denied being anti-women as accused by some critics.

There is no doubt where she stands on many issues, including abortion, same-sex marriage, illegal immigration and religious freedom. If she were American, she could be a center-Right Republican.

When U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to impose tariffs on the European Union’s goods earlier this month, the bloc’s response was clear: The EU would respond “firmly.” But Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, chose a more conciliatory stance.

“A clash is in nobody’s interest. This is why, understanding the issue [Trump] raised, I believe that dialogue and, let’s say, a balanced and proportionate solution is the way to deal with it.”

Over the past few months, Meloni has carefully positioned herself as the closest mainstream European leader to Trump, boosting her credentials as a potential “bridge” between the new US administration and Europe. She was the only EU head of government invited to Trump’s inauguration in January. Earlier the same month, she visited him at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump defined her as a “fantastic woman” who has “really taken Europe by storm.”

She apparently is a force to be reckoned with as the US and the EU continue to tango across the rough seas ahead. She seems to be a voice, if not reason, one to be heard as she offers conciliatory choices what should not be ignored.

She is a breath of fresh air in the stagnant cesspool which Europe has become. She has a common sense vision for what should be next not only for Europe, but also for the US and the world at large.

Continua buona fortuna e successo, Primo Ministro Giorgia Meloni!

Stop the Judicial Abuse - Now!

As outlined in the American Bar Association’s Model Code of Judicial Conduct, judges are generally required to recuse themselves from a case if there is a conflict of interest or if their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Apparently, this is now the second time judges who have a distinct hatred of Donald Trump have ignored this basic Code. 

And both Judge Merchan in New York and Judge Boasberg in DC have daughters who work for entities diametrically opposed to Trump.

Loren Merchan worked for the ad company who did advertising for Kamala Harris, while her father, Juan Merchan, presided over the case against Trump and Trump Organization.

And now we learn that Katharine Boasberg, the daughter of the federal judge, James Boasberg, who halted the Trump administration from using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to send alleged Tren de Aragua members to a megaprison in El Salvador, conducts “capacity building work in public defender offices across the nation” for the nonprofit group Partners in Justice, which also tried to block the Laken Riley Act from passing in the Cangress earlier this year.

We should all be outraged by this disregard by certain members of the Judiciary of their oaths to maintain impartiality in cases being brought forth by litigants. We expect fairness by our judges and at least in these two cases, judges violated their oaths of conduct.

They should be immediately removed and disbarred. No wonder Americans are losing faith in the judicial system to get a fair trial. And these two are not the only ones. They just got caught at it.

Now, a still-grieving mom whose daughter was allegedly raped and murdered by an illegal immigrant ripped the judges who put the brakes on President Trump’s deportation flights, and their Democrat enablers who’d rather “harbor” criminals than protect victims.

In today’s New York Post, Patty Morin’s daughter, Rachel, a 37-year-old mother-of-five, was found dumped in a drain near a scenic trail in Maryland 18 months ago, and an illegal immigrant from El Salvador has been charged with her murder. His trial is due to start with jury selection on Tuesday.

She is just the latest "Angel Mom" or "Angel Dad" who has lost a child to a murder by an illegal alien criminal, who was let into this country by the Biden-Harris-Mayorkas criminal regime.

Liberals and Democrats apparently believe that aliens’ rights matter more than Americans. But when they committed a crime entering this country and then, commit additional crimes because they think they have some sort of immunity, then we need to look at how they should have no rights since they violated the rights of others.

What WILL it take for the Supreme Court to put a halt to this injustice by criminals against innocent women and children?

Will Columbia Continue to Support Terrorism?

One would look at the vaulted reputation of Columbia University and wonder how it self-obliterated its reputation in such a short time. It seems it went from a great University, a bastion of liberal, open education to an epicenter to champion anti-Semitism in less than a year.

It escalated when former president Minouche Shafik suddenly resigned and fled back to the United Kingdom after the elite institution was marred by constant, and sometimes destructive, anti-Israel protests that splashed Columbia across national headlines.

This was caused by the pro-Hamas demonstrations after October 7, 2023 and was heightened by the Congressional hearing which brought the issue of anti-Semitism to the fore on many University campuses.

In response to this, President Trump pulled $400MM in Federal grant money to send a message that supporting anti-Semitism on college campuses by faculty and administrators comes at a cost.

Now, Columbia University’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, resigned from her position at the embattled Ivy League university Friday night, just days after she told the Trump Administration she would implement a mask ban, while privately promising faculty she would not. The Board of Trustees apparently doubted her ability to lead negotiations with the Trump Administration over the university’s $400MM in Federal funding and get it returned.

In addition, the continued demonstrations by pro-Hamas students to additionally support Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who spearheaded the student-led seizure, detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents earlier this month for his role in disruptive and, at times, violent anti-Israel protests at Columbia last summer, hasn’t played well to help Columbia’s reputation.

So, the Board, in order to at least appear pro-active, replaced Ms Armstrong with Co-Chair Claire Shipman, the former senior national correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, and who is married to former Obama Press Secretary, Jay Carney.

But this appears to be a short-term band-aid, unless the situation gets dramatically turned around. Until it does, President Trump will continue to withhold the Federal grant money.

It is time for Columbia to recognize that continued support of anti-Semitism will not be tolerated or it will continue to lose anticipated taxpayer funding by its support of terrorists over its Jewish students’ rights to an education.

How Low Can the Leftists Go?

It is ludicrous for ANYONE in the Congress, or in the Media, to be calling for SECDEF Pete Hegseth or NSA Mike Walz to resign due to the Signal issue. You can’t even use the “gate” suffix, since it doesn’t rise to that level of an issue, let alone a scandal.

 

However, if anyone needs to be held accountable for the screw up, it should be Alex Wong, who actually was the person who added Atlantic editor Jeff Goldberg to the call. And keep in mind, he is married to Candice Chiu Wong, who was one of the key attorneys involved in PROSECUTING J6ers during the Biden era.

After the Biden Afghanistan withdrawal disaster, no one was fired or “resigned”, no one was held accountable for the years after that disaster, and NO ONE from the Congress or the Media called for anyone to be held in contempt. And THIRTEEN brave Service Members died.

The Houthi attack, conversely, was a success. And NO ONE died or was even wounded.

Apparently, Hegseth is being held by the Democrats to take the blame. Why? For two reasons, it seems. First, because he was confirmed as SECDEF due to the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Vance to confirm him despite all the mud they threw at him which did not stick. And second, the LSM and the Democrats needed a win because they are still sinking badly, and figured they would use his recovering alcoholism as shade to gain validity to their calls by lying that he was drinking. With no proof.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. And both the Democrats and the Media will stoop to any level to achieve a win. But they continue to fail in every attempt to win one over President Trump. Even deceit.

The Trump Train continues to roll on to greater heights, to Make America Great Again. And it galls the Left to stand by as he and his Administration continues to win for America.

Maybe, they should stop with the lies, deceit and support of the violence, and instead, get on board to enjoy some of the benefits and successes the rest of us enjoy. But apparently, their hatred and negativity are blinding their souls.

So, they can sit down, stew in their own juices and continue to pout, or they can man up, realize their message is wrong and join the rest of us as we continue to ride the Train of Success.

A Leader and a Force To Be Heard

It is without a doubt, Politics and Arithmetic go together like PB&J on Wonder Bread White Bread. With a glass of chocolate milk.

 

The House Republicans have held their slim majority of 218 to 215 since January, since both Matt Gaetz and Mike Walz resigned, ostensibly to take positions in the Trump Administration. Walz became National Security Advisor and Gaetz ultimately withdrew his name from consideration as Attorney General.

Both open seats will have special elections in Florida this coming Tuesday. The Republican candidates are expected to win. That will give the Republicans a little breathing room at 220 to 215.

Meanwhile, Representative Elise Stefanik, who Trump nominated as UN Ambassador has not yet resigned due to the current Arithmetic issue. In addition, threats were made by the Democrat-controlled Governor and Legislature in Albany to delay a special election had Stefanik resigned, in order to potentially elect a Democrat replacement from her deep Red New York district.

This prompted President Trump and Representative Stefanik to announce Thursday afternoon that she would be withdrawing her name for consideration to be the US Ambassador to the UN.

“As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he added.

And true form, she did so. As a result, she will again have a leadership role in the Republican-controlled House.

“Elise Stefanik is truly a great leader and a devoted patriot. Today’s selfless decision shows America what those of us who work with her already know. She is deeply devoted to her country and fully committed to see President Trump’s agenda succeed in Congress,” Speaker Mike Johnson said.

Stefanik was considered on a glide path to confirmation after receiving gushing endorsements from Republicans, as well as, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, the moderating voice of Democrats in the Senate.

For now, she will be an instrumental voice to push the Trump “America First” agenda, as one of the most loyal Trump supporters in the entire Congress. She is like the actor in the old EF Hutton commercial from not that long ago.

To paraphrase, “When Elise Stefanik talks, people listen.”

The CEO Is Dressed Down By the Congress

Funny thing when a liberal media person has to say “mea culpa” and ask for forgiveness because he or she screwed up by NOT reporting the facts when they knew the facts were true. It is not sincere or honest. Instead, it is patronizing.

 

No… it is actually aggravating because he or she knew the truth and lied by omission.

And while Katherine Maher only took over as CEO of NPR last year, she had an obligation to come clean about it when she assumed leadership, and continued to compound the lie by not revealing it immediately. She is equally at fault.

It was reported that her admission came during intense questioning from Reprentative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and other Republican legislators during a congressional subcommittee hearing regarding the broadcaster’s perceived bias in its coverage.

“I do want to say that NPR acknowledges we were mistaken in failing to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story more aggressively or sooner,” Maher told the committee.

While NPR only receives 1% of Federal funding, getting most of it through donations, local member stations rely more heavily on Federal funding.

And while larger NPR stations typically receive 10–15% of their budgets from Corporation for Public Broadcasting, smaller and rural stations can rely on it for up to 30% or more, making indirect federal support crucial to NPR’s overall funding structure.

The hearing included testimony from both Maher and PBS CEO Paula Kerger, though Maher was the primary focus of Republican criticism.

Maher, who previously led Wikipedia and assumed the NPR leadership role just last year, was persistently questioned about her personal views and prior social media posts.

Confronted directly by Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) about her past comments, Maher conceded, “I regret [them] today.”

“Let’s walk through some of your statements so the public can understand your personal views,” Greene said, highlighting Maher’s previous remarks that America was “addicted” to white supremacy and critical comments concerning binary gender terminology.

Greene argued vigorously that NPR must uphold neutrality given that it is partly funded by taxpayers. She also challenged Maher’s personal ideology as inconsistent with the broadcaster’s mission.

It was an invaluable lesson for Katherine Maher on Wednesday. She learned the lesson that companies which accepts public funding need to maintain impartiality and neutrality, no matter what the CEO’s personal opinions may be.

And she needs to pass that message down to the leaders of the member stations to do the same or the public funding will be withdrawn.

Why the Atlantic - Houthi Story Is False

There are several phone messenger apps available for use by millions of people which are used by many without a second thought. Most are secured with “end to end” encryption, which limits those on a call or text to be able to read or hear what is being said.

 

 Short Messenger Service (SMS) is a technology that enables mobile phones to send and receive short text messages over cellular networks. And Mobile Media Service (MMS) is an extension of SMS which allows one to send images, videos and audio files. But it is the least encrypted service which allows for potential hackers to gain access.

Mobile banking, medical and other marketing apps generally use MMS, which is why most are two-factor authentication requirements by the user, like a password and one-time verification code.

Most email providers use Transit Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt emails as they travel between servers, preventing eavesdropping while in transit. But it doesn't encrypt the email content itself. This means email providers can still access and read the content of emails stored on their servers.

End to end encryption (E2EE) encrypts data at the sender's device, making it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the key. And it is decrypted by the recipient. The keys are typically generated and exchanged between the sender and recipient(s), within the transmission, and are not stored by the service provider.

The theory and practice has been that this ensures that even if a service provider's servers are compromised, the encrypted data remains secure.

Some E2EE servers are WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Google Messages (with RCS chats turned on) and Signal.

And since Signal is the app in question and in the news, here is a theory which was how the Atlantic Magazine may have been part of the group chat involving the Houthi attack last weekend.

Since Mike Walz swears that neither he nor any of his staff entered the number for Atlantic editor Jeff Goldberg, then whoever had that phone prior to Walz, had stored Goldberg’s number in it.

While it seems somewhat conspiratorial, if all other explanations did not occur, then how else could it have happened? Signal is an E2EE app and no one else had possession of Walz’ phone since he received it when he took office.

And Goldberg claims he saw the discussion but knew if he released it, he would potentially be committing treason. Or… he could be lying since he still hasn’t released the phone transcripts. To the DOJ, the DNI or to either Congressional Intelligence Committee.

If he releases it anywhere else, he probably goes to jail for breaking the law.

His reputation as a liar and Trump-hater is well-known. It could be all to stir the $#!+ while making himself and his failing magazine relevant. Without having anything to publish.

So, until he reveals it to the appropriate agency, his word should not be taken as fact. Or his word be trusted.

And once again, it should be, instead, a weak attempt to try and destroy the Trump Administration by a partisan media hack.

Trump Signs the Voter ID Executive Order

The liberals who are in the blue states, you know, the states which don’t have Voter ID laws, will be running to the Federal courts to block President Trump’s most recent Executive Order. The one which REQUIRES that all voters present specific, approved, and listed identification, as reported by USA Today and other outlets.

 

These ID'S include a US passport, a state Driver’s license or identification with REAL ID, or other "valid Federal or State government-issued photo identification." Not a Costco or library card. This order includes mail-in ballots which are due on or before Election Day.

"This country is so sick because of the the fake elections and the bad elections, and we're going to straighten it out one way or the other," Trump said before signing the order. "It's an honor to sign this one."

The executive order will also instruct the Election Assistance Commission to cut state funding if they don’t comply with taking measures to secure elections, and will instruct the Department of Justice to crack down on election-related crimes.

The order also calls on the Department of Homeland Security, alongside the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to comb through publicly available voter registration lists in parallel with immigration data bases to ensure consistency.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is instructed to provide Attorney General Pam Bondi with the list of noncitizens discovered to have illegally voted in elections.

Trump specifically targeted California’s election processes after the January wildfires around Malibu, saying, “I want voter ID for the people of California, and they all want it.”

Perhaps now, when the first Federal judge issues the expected TRO, the Supreme Court will FINALLY issue a “Cease and Desist” order to ALL Federal district and appellate courts preventing them from issuing these nationwide. Four Justices are already on board to stop this abuse of judicial activism, including, Kagan, Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch.

Once again, Donald Trump is proving to be a man of his word, as another campaign promise is fulfilled for the benefit of all.

At the Precipice of a Permanent Ceasefire

How do you get a ceasefire agreement? Step one. Recognize too many people on both sides have died. Step two. Understand why you are fighting and shooting at each other has moved far beyond the original “reason” for the hostilities. Step three. Agree that it is time to listen to others who are not involved in the conflict. Step four.  Sit down and begin to talk rationally to, not at, each other.

This, finally, is where we are in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The countries are talking TO each other. Not AT  each other.

Yes, there are baby-steps involved. After all, technically it has been ongoing since 2014. With a short respite from 2016 to 2022. But the hostilities remained. So it will be hard to move past that.

But both countries are trying. And that is encouraging.

The New York Post reported today that both sides have agreed to a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea to allow both sides to begin exporting goods without worrying about attacks. But the Russians have requested that the US order Ukraine not to initiate  unprovoked terrorist  attacks on its shipping vessels.

“We will need clear guarantees,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in televised comments. “And given the sad experience of agreements with just Kyiv, the guarantees can only be the result of an order from Washington to Zelensky and his team to do one thing and not the other.

“And it seems to me that our American partners have received this signal,” he said. “They understand that only Washington can achieve positive results in stopping terrorist attacks, stopping shelling of civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure not related to the military-industrial complex.”

It seems like a reasonable request to the American diplomats attempting to broker the truce. And the Trump White House on Tuesday said Ukraine also has agreed to the limited cease-fire deal.

It may take a while, but the hope is that when all is said and done, it will be a lasting truce. Remember, at one time, the belligerents were part of a much larger country.

US officials hope that the signing of a Black Sea truce could serve as a steppingstone for a greater cease-fire deal to end the war, which has gone on for more than three years.

And much of Europe prays, as well, for hostilities to pause and ultimately, be long-lasting. For the baby-step taken today leading to peace to finally come to the “New Europe” tomorrow.

It would be a huge accomplishment of a “Promise Made, Promises Kept.”

The Chuckster Gets a Taste of His Own Venom

As you know, Senator Chuck Schumer is not a favorite of mine. He is obnoxious, pompous and a bagman for the Democrat Party.

 

He rose through the ranks, especially because hè has an uncanny knack for raising tons of money for both Representatives and Senators in their quest to remain in power positions. He also has shown himself to be a bully to those who he opposes.

He loves to threaten Supreme Court Justices and Republicans, calling in his caucus to harass them at their homes.

But this weekend and today, he was treated to the same hatred and vitriol that he calls for his followers to do to others with whom he disagrees. Why? 

Because they are angry at him for voting to keep the government open by voting with the Republicans after he said he wouldn’t.

And as much as I criticize him for calling on his caucus to follow his lead on doxxing and harassing others, I find it equally appalling that it is being done to him. At his home.

If one wishes to harass a public official, it should be done at his or her office. Not at a private residence. It is inappropriate since the family is now being intimidated by this horrible, and illegal behavior. And they don’t deserve it.

Perhaps, now, the Chuckster got a taste of his own medicine. And has learned a lesson. Maybe…

Jennie Spector, one of Indivisible Brooklyn’s organizers, told the New York Post that Schumer “really betrayed us [and] betrayed the people who are counting on him to step up and protect us from what is clearly a fascist government in the White House.

“We’re calling on him to step down as minority leader because he’s not the leader we need at this moment,” Spector said.

The demonstration belongs at his office, not his residence He brought it on himself with his own hatred of others. But it does not make it right.

Maybe, now, he will watch his words more carefully when he spits his venom at his opponents. And tone it down.

Lesson Learned, Chucky, yes?

What Becomes of California in 2026

Over the last sixty-six

 years, there have only been four Republican Governors elected into office in California. They are Ronald Reagan, 1967 - 1975, George Deukmejian,1983 -1991, Pete Wilson, 1991-1999 and Arnold Schwartzenegger, 2003 - 2011.

Since then, there have been two Democrat Governors, Jerry Brown, 2011 -2018 and Gavin Newsom, 2019 – Present.

Both chambers of the California legislature have been controlled by the Democratic Party since 1959 except from 1969 to 1971 when the Republican Party held both chambers and from 1994 to 1996, when Republicans briefly held a majority in the Assembly.

The current breakdown has the Assembly as 60 Democrats and 20 Republicans, while the Senate is composed of 30 Democrats and 10 Republicans. It has been a blue state since 1959, except for the years Republicans controlled the governorship.

The last Republican US Senator, John Seymour, was voted out in 1991.

Having given you the demographic to understand how liberal California is, and an understanding of the crazy policies which seem to come out of that State, it is surprising to read there may come a seismic shift in its political make-up during the election in 2026.

The late edition of the Sunday New York Post is reporting that while California’s Democratic politicians like to say they are leading the nation and the world with their bold, brave policies, lately it looks like they’re trailing the parade.

It seems that the state’s Democratic leaders, despite their party’s absolute control of California’s government, are acting nervous and snappish about a handful of Republicans speaking out on important issues.

At this point, the candidate most speculated to run for Governor is the incapable former Senator and Vice President, Kamala Harris. And Kackin’ Kammy does not exude a high level of confidence across the California electoral divide, considering her less than stellar performance as the Democrat Presidential candidate.

Although the Kamster won in California by a margin of 20 percentage points, it represented a significant decrease compared to Joe Biden's 29-point victory in the state in 2020. Harris's performance in California was the worst for a Democratic candidate since 2004, failing to receive at least 60% of the vote in the state for the first time since then.

Even current Governor Gavin Newsom, scratching for national relevance as he maneuvers toward a 2028 run for the presidency, is obsessing about the influence of Republican podcasts and trying to get himself in front of their audiences.

On his own newly launched podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” California’s sitting governor chats breezily about policy with conservatives on the national scene, as if auditioning for a Sunday afternoon talk show. Casual viewers would never guess that Newsom is currently in office and actually has the power to do the things he says he supports.

For example, Newsom made news on the premiere edition of his podcast by agreeing with the conservative founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, that “it’s deeply unfair” to allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.

That prompted California Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli to ask why Newsom is not supporting his proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 844, which would reverse a 2013 state law that allowed biological boys to compete in girls’ sports. “You’re the governor, not a commentator,” Essayli wrote in a post on X.

Newsom is trying to appeal to a more center-right national audience, while trying not to “sell out” his “principles”. But, thus far, people see through his sheep’s costume. And he is smart enough to know that.

And there have been several instances where the Democrat Supermajority in both the California Assembly and Senate removed Republicans for criticizing pending and debated legislation because the Republican objections were making an impact on the electorate. But then, so did the Democrat actions.

So, Democrats are beginning to worry that the continued left wing march will be stopped in 2026. And digging in to try and overwhelm Republicans is not helping their cause with the voters.

So hang on, friends. It will be interesting to see whether the political earth will quake and shake in California in 2026.

Or will what we are witnessing now is nothing more than the aftershock of the 2024 election, with tremors, but no fissures.

Will the Democrats Completely Self-Destruct?

Once again, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has shown herself to be one of the most unintelligent Members of Congress. It was reported in ĺast evening's New York Post that AOC made comments in Las Vegas, part of the far-left “Squad” representives' “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, a week after ten Senate Democrats, including Senator John Fetterman voted for the Continuing Resolution.

“This isn’t just about Republicans. We need a Democratic Party that fights harder for us, too,” Ocasio-Cortez told the crowd at the Las Vegas rally on Thursday.

But Senator Fetterman isn’t buying or supporting her point of view.

“Fight ‘harder’, a stunt that would have harmed millions and plunged us into chaos,” the Pennsylvania Democrat wrote on X, reacting to a headline highlighting Ocasio-Cortez’s comments.

“We kept our government open. Deal with it,” the Senator added.

She was spewing her venom at the ten Senate Democrats, including Fetterman, who decided to vote for country over party by voting with the Republicans to keep the government operating.

 

She was especially miffed at Senator Chuck Schumer who made an impassioned speech denouncing President Trump’s policies and Elon Musk, but in the end, said he would support the CR.

She is leading the charge, as well, to have Senate Democrats dump the Chuckster from his Senate Minority Leader position. And of course, she has been joined by Biden back-stabber Nancy Pelosi  in this quest.

Keep in mind that neither Pelosi nor AOC have any skin in that game, since neither can vote in the Senate for Senate Leadership positions. It is all to rile up other Democrat Senators to do their bidding.

It is rumored, as well, that AOC is preparing to primary Schumer, but unless he resigns soon, and she runs against his governor-appointed replacement in 2026, that won’t happen until 2028. A lot can happen in the interim.

Including the Democrat Party to complete the committing of fratricide.

The Bidens Try to Sell Themselves - But Nobody Is Buying

Remember the bag of coke that was found stashed in the White House? Apparently, Old Joe found the rest of the kilo in his home in Rehoboth.

 

It seems Joe Biden took a hit, a snort and a toot a few times too many because it was reported by the New York Post he is ready now to save the Democrap Party by featuring himself as Fundraiser-In-Chief.

Former aides were shocked and aghast as Biden and Jill sat down with newly elected Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin last month to pitch themselves for a revamped campaigning effort. Must have been some good Peruvian blow up his nose. And she had to partake because she seemed to go along with him.

“The Bidens are still living in an alternative universe that revolves only around them,” a onetime senior White House adviser told The Post.

“Their irresponsibility, family ego and selfishness put the Democratic Party in this position in the first place … The Biden family, and the disconnected reality that they and their ineffective little circle live in, is responsible for the Trump sequel and the wilderness the Democratic Party finds itself in today,” this person said.

“They can’t raise money either way,” a second source said. “I think donors would be more inclined to donate if they [the Bidens] were not relevant.”

“Joe Biden should enjoy retirement at the beach in Rehoboth,” a third Biden alum added. “No voter wants to hear from him. He is delusional and arrogant to think that he can be a value add to the Democratic Party. We need to move on from the era of Joe Biden and embrace new, younger leadership.”

It is unclear how the former chief executive will seek to monetize his post-presidency, though he recently signed with the talent firm Creative Artists Agency, with which he previously partnered to promote his book “Promise Me, Dad” after he left office as vice president in 2017.

Maybe he should sell some of the stuff he must have found in his home. After all, his son thought he was the “Big Guy” and now Joe really thinks he is.

These two, and the whole Biden family need to go away, crawl back under a rock and slink away into oblivion to leave the rest of us alone. They are the most vile, egotistical tripes ever to be in the public eye.

Even other Democrats agree.

The Season Is Just About Upon Us

So, there are three more Spring Training games left until Opening Day next Thursday, March 27. The Mets are just about to finalize their roster, with two or three more decisions to make.

 

The Mets are now 12 and 13 this Spring, which is about what is expected as not all the front line players played in every game. It was mostly about seeing what rookies and other invitees would be able to produce to be considered as potential players or next call ups, during the season.

Right now, it appears that several key players will begin on the Injured List, which gives others additional potential playing time to be evaluated.

And for now, it seems as though the Mets won the off-season, by signing Alonso, Soto, Manaea, Winker and several others. But there are still 162 regular season games to be played before we get to the playoffs, Pennant winners and World Series.

And there is no sense to rush it. It is a long season, and each game matters. After all, the games you win in April are as important as the games you win in September, yes?

Last year, the team came from 0 and 5 to almost winning the Pennant. This year, on paper, they are expected to run from coast to coast and win it all. But you have to play the games.

So, as the Mets finish their final three games Saturday, Sunday and Monday, they should start to turn it on, so that they will not have the same start as they did last year.

In the meantime, sit back, get ready and prepare for the most exciting season in Mets history. Be Amazed as we see records fall, another number be retired and perhaps a no-hitter, or other Amazing feat be accomplished.

All by your lovable and Amazin’ Mets.

Time To Reign In the Judiciary Branch

ARTICLE III Section 1 of the Constitution states: "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."

It is pretty clear that the Constitution creates and empowers the Supreme Court, empowers the Congress to create ALL other courts, and allows the Congress to limit the powers of the inferior courts.

Based on the outrageous TRO’s that many district judges have placed against President Trump’s Executive Otders, it has become apparent that federal judges are usurping Constitutional powers deemed to belong to the Executive branch. It is time to reign that power. It is the purview of the Congress to ordain what the district Court Judges are allowed to do.

Logically, it is not up to a district court to dictate a nationwide policy. That is up to the Congress and the President.

It was reported today in several media outlets, that both former Speaker Newt Gingrich and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan believe action and/or legislation is warranted now to curb the power and scope of Federal District Judges.

Speaker Gingrich posted on X, “If Chief Justice Roberts wants to minimize attacks on out of control appointed leftwing district court judges abusing their role and claiming to be able to overrule the elected President of the United States on management details that are clearly within his role as defined by the Constitution and the Federalist Papers then he should intervene and overrule these absurd power grabs. The Chief Justice can defend the Court by overruling bad judges before the Executive and Legislative Branches start acting against them. The burden is on the Chief Justice not the President.”

The Hill reported that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is planning hearings on judges who block Trump administration actions and eyeing legislation to place limits on judicial power as calls to impeach those judges ramp up.

Those actions, Jordan suggested in a CNN interview on Wednesday, could be “another legislative remedy” to address the matter.

“It’s why two weeks ago, the Judiciary Committee, we passed legislation which said when a federal district judge in Timbuktu, Calif., issues an injunction, it should only apply to the parties of the case in that respective jurisdiction not apply nationwide,” Jordan said. “We passed it through the committee. We’ll try to look to pass it on the House floor and move it through the process.”

Perhaps, finally, we will be able to achieve the separation of powers which is clearly defined in the Constitution and had been lost, become re-established.

The vision the Founders established for our Constitution is in the genius of its checks and balances. And it is time to check the power of the judicial branch.

We must NEVER allow one branch to have more authority than another or we lose our freedoms and independence.

Common Sense and Constitutionality Still Exists in New York

In a surprising ruling, the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the bluest state, ruled 6-1 that the New York City law, which allowed “Green Card” holding non-citizens the right to vote, and passed by the City Council in late 2021, violated the State Constitution.

 

“Whatever the future may bring, the New York Constitution as it stands today draws a firm line restricting voting to citizens,” the opinion states.

Supporters of the now struck-down law had argued that noncitizens here legally should be able to vote because they pay taxes and make contributions to their communities.

But Republicans in the City Council and State Legislature hailed it as a victory for the rule of law and common sense.

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, in a statement issued shortly after the decision, argued that city leaders should concentrate on getting citizen New Yorkers to vote.

“With one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country, our city needs to do more to engage working people who feel shut out of the process,” he said.

It is nice to see that common sense still exists in some levels of the New York State Judicial System.

Enforcing and Standing Up For Women's Rights

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.

 

Since both the Department of Education and the Department of Justice recognize only two genders, male and female, which were assigned at birth and not later decided to be changed by the individual, currently, any school, college, university, etc, which accepts federal funds, may not allow men who identify as women, nor women who identify as men, to play on a sporting team not consistent with their biologically assigned gender. This includes all NCAA teams.

With that premise understood, the federal government is freezing $175 million in taxpayer funding to the University of Pennsylvania for defying the President’s Executive Order and continuing to let transgender athletes compete in women’s sports.

Presently, UPenn took roughly $1 billion in federal funds in 2024, but more taxpayer money could be at risk amid a separate probe by Trump’s Department of Education into possible Title IX violations.

That is a huge chunk of support that the University is jeopardizing should it continue to allow men play on women’s teams, change in women’s locker rooms or use women’s bathrooms.

“UPenn infamously permitted a male to compete on its women’s swimming team, overturning multiple records hard-earned by women, and granting the fully intact male access to the locker room,” a Senior White House official said.

“This is immediate proactive action to review discretionary funding streams to those universities.”

If you recall, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” on Feb. 5. Immediately, the DOE and DOJ confirmed those Departments’ adherence to the EO.

Trans swimmer Lia Thomas won the women’s 500-yard freestyle after transitioning before the 2022 season.

Thomas also went on to tie for fifth place against University of Kentucky female swimmer Riley Gaines, who has since become an outspoken opponent of trans athlete inclusion in women’s sports.

“Three years ago to the day I raced and tied a man at the DI NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle,” Gaines posted Wednesday on X.

“Today, the Trump administration paused $175M in federal funding to University Pennsylvania for this reason. Serendipitous.”

Former Penn female swimmers Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski and Ellen Holmquist also filed a federal lawsuit against their alma mater last month, saying they were forced to compete with Thomas.

Obviously, UPENN and other universities will file suits against the Trump Administration as it continues to withhold funding against schools which defy the EO and allow men to play in women’s sports.

But ironically, these schools are violating women’s rights which Title IX was written to protect in 1972. And it is amazing to hear the sound of silence emanating from so-called women's rights groups, like National Organization for Women and American Association of University Women, who fought for women so many years ago, as men try to take over women’s sports today. 

Meanwhile, please support Linda McMahon and Pam Bondi as they fight, along with President Trump, to support WOMEN ONLY, and not men, to be and play in women’s sports, bathrooms and locker rooms.