People Finally Woke Up to Woke Failures

It was reported on NewsNation and in the the New York Post that fitness guru, Jillian Michaels and others believe that the disaster caused by the current rage of wildfires may have finally awakened California’s residents to the failures of the woke Democrats who have run and ruined the State for years.

 

Michaels believes California will shift toward the Republican Party in the wake of lefty Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the Los Angeles wildfires. She became a Trump supporter in 2018, when she lost her house in that year’s version of Newsom’s incompetence.

“It affected my life, and it changed me. And I think you’re going to see that when it touches you, it changes you. And for California, that’s a good thing, because it is in desperate need of reform,” Michaels told NewsNation ’s On Balance with Leland Vittert.

She isn’t the only one who feels this way. It was reported om today’s New York Post that there is now a movement to recall Newsom again and it it is rapidly gaining steam.

Organizers against Newsom vowed to file papers in the next two weeks in hopes of jumpstarting the process that could lead to the Democrat’s ouster in the middle of his second term in the governor’s mansion. This would be the second time a recall against him was demanded.

He won the last one and was re-elected ultimately to a second term. It may not go so well for him this time.

“Under the reign of Governor Newsom, living in California has become impossible for average people through years of poor policies which have increased the costs of living, increased crime, increased drug use and homelessness, increased the cost of burdens on small businesses and communities, while decreasing our professional standards, education standards, the disappearance of billions of taxpayers’ dollars to failed pet programs, and our public services,” one recall organizer, Randy Economy, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, an online petition calling for Mayor Karen Bass, who was in Ghana when the fire erupted last week, to be removed from office has grown to nearly 130,000 signatures.

Looks like people finally woke up to the failures pushed by woke Democrats. They are as mad as hell and won’t take it anymore.

Realizing and Fulfilling a Solemn Promise

In less than 168 hours, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. And in so doing, we will bear witness to a historical event. Actually, more than one.

 

First, of course, we will witness the first time since 1893 where someone was sworn in to serve a non-consecutive term as President. The last to do so was Grover Cleveland.

The next historical event will be where the oldest person to ever serve will be sworn in. Previously, Joe Biden was the oldest person to assume the presidency at 78 years and 61 days. Donald Trump will be at 78 years and 220 days. And seems to be a much younger and more vibrant man than his age would suggest.

The third historical event will be where Iran repeats history and once again, releases hostages under its control, this time through Hamas, on the day of a Presidential inauguration, rather than incur the wrath of whatever was meant by “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released. It is the smart move by the Mullahs.

And then, there will be more, probably several more historical events occur, before the sunrises next Tuesday.

We will all bear witness to a man's solemn promise. We will see what the next hundred days, the next thousand days, the life of this administration will bring.

And we will be proud to say that we watched happily as a promise to Make America Great Again was realized and fulfilled.

As Los Angeles Burns

On November 4, 2014, Proposition One was voted on and passed by the residents of California and signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown after a near-unanimous vote in the State legislature. Then, in 2018, due to term limits, Gavin Newsom was elected California Governor.

 

More than TEN years have elapsed since California voters approved Proposition One to construct new reservoirs, among other issues, but a decade later, none of those projects have been completed. It begs the question, “Why not?”.

How many wildfires have we witnessed in California since then? And what has Governor Newsom been doing to exert his influence to speed up the building process? Uhm… not much, except fighting for illegals to live tax-free in his State.

He has done nothing to expedite the building of these reservoirs since January, 2019 when he assumed office. Oh, yeah. He was indignant when Former-and-now President-Elect Donald Trump called him out in 2019 and 2020 during those years’ wildfires. And again, recently.

And he still has done nothing in the five years since then. Except blame everyone else for his failures.

He was called out for his recent dissembling regarding the lack of water in the reservoirs.

Now, it was reported that many residents have contracted with private fire fighting companies with a hefty price tag, with some outfits charging $2,000 an hour for their services. Why? Because the municipal resources in Los Angeles and the surrounding communities like Malibu, Brentwood and Calabasas, among others, are inadequate or unable to properly deal with the out of control fires.

Yet, Newsom plays the same tune on his violin as Los Angeles burns. Like Nero did in 64 AD. Blaming everyone else for HIS incompetence.

And what of the building regulations presently in effect? Will the State allow them to be suspended? Or will it take years to rebuild?

As for the CO2 emissions, more CO2 shot into the air since Wednesday than in more than the last five or six years. At least.

And as for the fire trucks from other states? Well, they are stuck in San Francisco undergoing emissions testing. So stupid!

If this were a TV soap opera, you couldn’t get a more fitting title for a show than this one:

As Los Angeles burns.

Give Pete the Deal on the Table - Now!

In a desperate move to maintain the appearance of being the top players agent, it was rumored that Scott Boras has offered the Mets the opportunity to sign Pete Alonso to a three-year, $93.3MM contract, with deferrals and opt-outs, giving Alonso a $31.1MM AAV. Such a deal you never saw coming.

 

It is substantially less than the five or six year deal Pete was looking for. But it is a deal which both sides can live with, and Boras gets to save face, even though he actually failed his client.

Pete will assuredly hit 40+ home runs this year, cementing his legacy as the greatest Mets’ home run hitter, since Darryl Strawberry. And of course, The Straw will be on hand when his record is broken, probably in August.

And if Alonso does this, he will probably opt out and renegotiate the longer contract he really wants, just like Yoenis Cespedes did after the 2015 season. He had a $110.5MM contract with an opt-out after 2016, and stayed through 2020.

But Pete is also of a different quality of character than Cespedes was, too. Pete has played hurt, came back early from injury and even played injured after being involved in a serious automobile accident. Cespedes, on the other hand, sat around in 2017 thru 2019, on and off the injury list, and left the team after eight games during Covid.

The Mets need to do right by Pete Alonso, since, for the last six seasons, Pete did more than right by the Mets. Give him the deal offered on the table now. And see how the results play out.

If the Mets win the Series with Pete, then we can worry about the 2026 season in November. And revisit this again next off-season. Perhaps with a different agent than Boras, WORKING for Pete.

Meanwhile, the fan base will be happy that the Mets came to their senses for THIS year.

The Prevaricating Charlatan Is to Blame

After Governor Ron DeSantis called out the media on Thursday (see my commentary, Who Gets the Blame?), for not blaming Governor Gavin Newsom for the wildfires in his State, the California Governor stood up like the “man” he is and immediately begin to place the blame where he believed it belonged: on everyone else. What a brave wuss!

 

Yes, that’s right. Some media outlets reported that Newsom, like a typical liberal jerkweed, took no responsibility for neglecting warnings as far back as 2019 from Donald Trump and others to clean up the forests and re-route water to Southern California. He knew better, apparently.

And now, he blamed the (inept) Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, the (incompetent) DEI fire chief, Kristin Crowley, the (woke) residents of LA and affected communitites, and his (disloyal) staff.

Now, the Palisades and Eaton fires are still out of control in Los Angeles on Sunday, five days since they began ripping across the county, killing at least 16 people, displacing nearly 200,000, and destroying as many as 10,000 structures, including whole residential neighborhoods. But Newsom has now blamed his critics for HIS ineptitude.

And some woke celebrities are blaming Newsom’s critics for including Mayor Bass, in an attempt to rile up rhe failure of fighting the fires as a racial issue. Ultimately, this is Newsom’s fault, as he is the Governor of the state.

And still California and Los Angeles burns. At least 39,000 acres of land have burned down, an area about two-and-a-half times the size of Manhattan.

Firefighters from Mexico landed at Los Angeles International Airport Saturday to help battle the fires, a sight welcomed by "Governor" Gavin Newsom.

The landing of the crews from south of the border comes a day after Bass declined the FDNY’s offer to send its resources out to the Golden State. JETBLUE even offered to fly New York’s Bravest to the West Coast, but Bass rebuffed the sentiment.

So the criticism of Bass seems to be deserved, as well. But, it still is up to the Governor to override the Mayor, since he has the ultimate say in that state.

He even tried to blame Trump, even though he isn’t President yet. What a fool.

Hey, Gavin. Look in the mirror and blame THAT GUY for the fires and the villain who allowed it all to get out of control.

But since you are the most dishonest politician in California, you will continue to act as if you had NOTHING to do to cause it. It’s in your makeup.

Because you are a lying, deceitful, prevaricating Charlatan who will avoid accepting blame wherever possible to protect your Hollywood image.

Biden and His Free Candy

Since the beginning of 2025, we have seen Jolting Joe hand out medals to all sorts of people, alive and dead, like he was handing out candy like it was Halloween. And then, considering that he walks around with constant brain-freeze, maybe he thinks it IS Halloween.

 

He is so mixed up with his holidays, candy and medals, is anyone surprised?

It was reported in Saturday's afternoon edition of USA Today that Sleepy Joe, as pointed out on Thursday as he napped throughout the Carter funeral service, has now awarded Pope Francis the highest possible American Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom of Distinction. Wait! What!? Aren’t the other medals distinguished?

And why does the Pope get a Medal anyway? Isn’t he SUPPOSED to to do good deeds to help people? Or is it because he is a good Socialist?

Or is it because Biden feels he is paying his way into Heaven with one more plenary indulgence?

Any way you spin it, ultimately, he has made a mockery of all these medals to people who probably did not deserve them. Like Soros or Hillary. Or Cheney and Thompson.

Or, is it a “feel good” gesture by Biden because he canceled he trip to Vatican City? He must have felt some sense of obligation to stay here because of the wildfires. After all, he IS the American President for about only eight more days. Thank God!

And what is next for Biden to give away? He has given away unconditional pardons, commutations and even pardoned his crooked son after he said he wouldn’t.

How about pre-emptive pardons just so there is no chance Schiff or Liz Cheney or Nancy Pelosi can’t be prosecuted for real or perceived crimes against this country.

Or the piece d’ resistance, a pardon to himself as he is walking out the door? Just to cover himself. Would you be surprised if he did?

After all the other “free candy” he gave away this month, I wouldn’t either.

Walz Proves He is an Idiot

So, The Hill is reporting today that Tim Walz, erstwhile (thankfully) Democrat nominee candidate for Vice President in 2024, and current Minnesota Governor, has put his eggs in the basket to support David Hogg as his candidate to be the Democrat National Committee Vice Chair.

 

Do you remember who remember who David Hogg is? He is one of the students who were at Parkland High School who was shot at in 2018 and became an anti-gun activist.

That is him.

He is now twenty-two years old and is well known in liberal circles, and by many others who may be politically astute. But that does not mean he is qualified to discuss the many issues across the divide. He may be only a one-issue individual, passionate about guns, but a novice on other things.

And this is the person Tim Walz, the man who supports tampons in boys’ rooms, supports to be a leader of Democrats. Such a fool, stuck in his dumb positions of 2024, so evident as we move forward.

“David Hogg represents exactly the kind of bold, dynamic, and courageous leadership the Democratic Party needs right now,” Walz said in a statement. 

Uhm... no way.

This is not a disparagement of an idealistic kid. He still has much to learn about how the world works and about life. Instead, this is a criticism of an old man, who skirted much as he has stuck his head in the sand, only to present himself as a man of the world. Without any value of forethought.

As for the rest of us, we would be equally naïve to think this is a person whose opinions matter more than the nattering nabobs of stupidity in your local bathrooms. Useless all.

So good luck to this idiot who still thinks he is relevant. He isn’t.

And I could care less who Democrats choose to lead them forward.

I won’t be losing sleep over anything Tim Walz says or does.

Who Should Get the Blame?

Funny thing about the Left-Wing Legacy Media. They sure are silent when Democrats are in charge and disasters occur. This was the brutal sentiment captured on social media and across major outlets made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

 

He was reported to have called out reporters for their one-sidedness, especially now, as the fires are raging across Southern California.

As a reporter was asking another governor if it was appropriate for Trump to criticize pDemocratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom as deadly wildfires rage throughout the state, Governor DeSantis took charge and answered the question.

"Is it appropriate for people in your industry to try to create division and to try to create narratives any time these things happen?"

Looking dumbfounded, the reporter looked away as DeSantis continued.

“Now, you're not as interested in doing that because Newsom is a D. If Newsom was a Republican, you guys would go try ... you would have him nailed to the wall for what they're doing over there.”

He was right.

When he asked why no one from the media asked the LA Mayor, Karen Bass, was not asked about her trip to Ghana and leaving the city knowing the dangers she left behind, he was met with a loud, roaring sound of silence. And the same when he asked why the DEI fire chief was given a pass.

"' I'd like to see some balance on how this is done. You can criticize the president-elect, but you also have to hold these other people accountable, and I have not seen that,"  he finished.

During his first term, President Trump advised Governor Newsom that protecting the residents of Southern California, and their property, was more importantant than saving the smelt fish. Newsom ignored him, and now, the .

 But the fish have plenty.

Once again, the liberal elite had their way and thus far, ten people died and billions of dollars of devastation are destroying California.

Good call, Governor Newsom. And the media stand there silently looking for someone else, anyone else to blame other than one of their darlings.

But DeSantis is criticized for calling out the truth.

Senator Fetterman Speaks His Mind - Again

Once again, Senator John Fetterman, Democrat from Pennsylvania, is proving himself to be the most reasonable Democrat in the Senate. He has previously indicated he would give President-Elect Trump's nominees a fair hearing for their positions; he had called for Bob Casey to step aside while Schumer showed what a buffoon he (Schumer) was demanding Casey continue the fight in an unwinnable cause; and, he has continued his support for Israel, while Democrats continue to show their unfettered anti-Semitism.

 

In Thursday's late online edition of the New York Post, it was revealed that Senator Fetterman, a most unconventional politician, agreed to meet President-Elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, making him the first congressional Democrat to accept such an invite, as he joked to reporters that he demands to be made “Pope of Greenland.”

“I think that one, he’s the President, or he will be officially,” Fetterman, 55, told CBS News, which was the first to report on the upcoming meeting.

“And I think it’s pretty reasonable that if the President would like to have a conversation, or invite someone to have a conversation, to have it. And no one is my gatekeeper,” the 6-foot-8 Pennsylvania senator known for frequently donning gym shorts in the halls of Congress bluntly told the outlet.

He is proving once again that he is his own man, not beholden to the dictates of Chucky or Dicky (Durbin) or any other Democrat Party leader.

He is a refreshing voice, even more so than former Senators Manchin or Sinema, because he isn’t concerned about putting a filter on his comments as they were, even though they were two of the most independent Blue Dog Democrats before they became Independents. They still spoke in politically correct terms about their colleagues.

Senator Fetterman apparently has no filter, and is truly one who speaks honestly.

He is proving to be the Democrat Party’s worst nightmare, one who does NOT tow the party line. They cannot control him. He actually stands up for what HE believes.

That is not only good for Pennsylvanians but also for ALL Americans.

Raising the 47th, Lowering the 46th

With about ten days to go, Senator JD Vance, Vice President-elect, has resigned his seat, effective at midnight Thursday, as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities on January 20. In his place, it is expected that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will appoint Lt Gov Jon Husted to serve until the next special election in 2026.

 

Vance will assume office as the 50th vice president on January 20, 2025. There have been 49 U.S. vice presidents since the office was created in 1789.

At the same time, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President. It will be a history making event, since he will be only the second person to become President, serving two non-consecutive terms. The last was Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th Presidents.

By January 20, or soon thereafter, we will see an additional flurry of resignations from the Congress as several Members are confirmed to various Cabinet posts, including Senator Marco Rubio to State, Representatives Elise Stefanik to the UN and Mike Waltz to National Security Advisor. Also, we will see Governors Kristi Noem and Doug Burgum resign their positions and take Cabinet posts.

We will begin to see unnamed sources leak the contents of some of the executive orders Donald Trump is expected to sign.

The Senate will take up confirmations hearings of all the nominees for the Cabinet, Ambassadorships and various other Constitutionally-required Congressional approval positions beginning next week.

All in all, the second Trump Administration is beginning to assert its presence while the dying Biden Administration slinks away into obscurity.

Ten more days.

And the Verdict Is...

All eyes are now on the United States Supreme Court after the New York State Court of Appeals denied an 11th hour motion to stay the lawfare case against Donald Trump in the wrongful conviction by a corrupt Acting Judge and equally unqualified District Attorney.

This case was originally investigated and dropped by Biden’s DOJ because there was no evidence worthy enough to bring forward, as they were deemed nuisance issues.

So, the spotlight is on Justice Sonia Sotomayor as the Justice responsible for emergency appeals from New York. And by 5 PM or earlier today, we will know the outcome of that appeal.

Sotomayor, nominated by President Barack Obama in 2009, wrote a scathing dissent of the high court's July 1 opinion granting presidents broad immunity from prosecution. The 525-page application filed by Trump on Wednesday morning refers to presidential immunity more than 300 times, and argues that it voids his conviction and indictment.

Once she completes the review, she can refer to the full Court for a decision. Trump needs at least five Justices to vote in his favor to stay Judge Merchan from sentencing him.

Trump is seeking "to correct the unjust actions by New York courts and stop the unlawful sentencing in the Manhattan DAs Witch Hunt," Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said. "The Supreme Court's historic decision on Immunity, the Constitution, and established legal precedent mandate that this meritless hoax be immediately dismissed."

And so, we await a final opinion of the most contentious political case ever brought against a President to the Supreme Court.

It Really IS Time to End the Lawfare

Apparently, lawfare is permissible in New York State provided the defendant is a Republican or one who criticizes a Democrat administration. And the charges get to be elevated to felonies, even if the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) deems them to be misdemeanors or even non-criminal offenses.

 

Also, it seems that one can be found guilty of unspecified and undefined crimes, as DA Alvin Bragg and ACTING Judge Juan Merchan managed against Donald Trump.

As for Mayor Eric Adams, they have indicted him and charged him with the "felony" of accepting an upgrade on a plane flight. Like no other politician ever did that before.

As you know, all thirty-four charges Trump was found guilty of were considered misdemeanors prior to his trial. 

And, in fact, the Biden DOJ conducted an investigation prior to the trial, and found no evidence worthy enough to bring forward, as they were deemed nuisance issues.

And, by the way, the Statute of Limitations had expired.

 But these two clowns have decided otherwise in their quest to show how “violent” Donald Trump was. As opposed to prosecuting, you know, murderers and rapists walking freely through the streets of Manhattan.

And used confidential and classified information protected by Federal Law.

Even after all this, the corrupt “Judge”, whose daughter was part of the Harris campaign, won’t admit he screwed up and may have had a conflict of interest. And the corrupt Appellate Court just goes along with the whole case, accepting the lawfare as “judicious”.

So, with less than twelve days until he is inaugurated, Donald Trump has submitted an emergency appeal to both the New York Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court toprevent this corrupt judge from harming him or the Presidency any further.

And one of his first orders of business is to direct HIS DOJ from pursuing Eric Adams on HIS trumped up charges. All because he questioned Biden on dumping illegals into the City without warning and assistance.

End all these lawfare cases. NOW!

Happy Birthday To The King!

On this day in 1935, a boy was born in Tupelo, Mississippi who was, unknown to him or his parents, destined to change the world. Elvis Presley was born NINETY years ago and by the time he was nineteen, he was well on his way to a future that so many can only dream of achieving.

Elvis Presley's first hit single was "That's All Right", which he recorded on July 5, 1954 at Sun Records, at the age of 19. He recorded five other hits before he was signed by RCA Victor. 

Presley's first single with RCA Victor was "Heartbreak Hotel", which was released on January 27, 1956 and  reached number one in four countries. He became a rock and roll pioneer with his unique style, dance moves, and rebellious image. He had just turned twenty-one.

He made his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on September 9, 1956, right after he released and went to number one with “Hound Dog” in July. CBS censors made history by showing him only from the waist up, due to his then-obscene gyrations.

He was brought back in October to sing  "Don't Be Cruel", "Love Me Tender", and "Hound Dog".

By late 1956, he was well on his way with his first movie, The Reno Brothers, which was changed to Love Me Tender, as his hit song passed one million in  sales. Obviously, the producers decided to cash in while he was still hot.

He recorded songs and played them in his subsequent movies for the remainder of the 50, and all through the 60s.

He was an influence on all came after him, including, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys and so many others. He sang hits and went to number one on rock, R&B, country and gospel stations.

His last feature film was Change of Habit with Mary Tyler Moore, and featured the songs “Rubberneckin’” and “Change of Habit”. But in December, 1968, his much heralded Comeback Special was released, featuring his many hits, singing them like it was 1956. His big hit was the classic, “If I Can Dream”.

He then moved to touring, in his famous white jump suit, singing all his classics. I saw him in1971, 1973 and 1975, all at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. I had tickets for his 1977 show, but he died a couple of days before.

And, stupidly, I returned the tickets for a refund.

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977 at his home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was only forty-two years old.

In his relatively short life, he accomplished so much and still has so many fans of all ages. He will live on for years in the hearts and minds of so many. And his music will never get old. Not really.

He has a dedicated station on satellite radio, SiriusXM, which csn be heard 24/7.

So lift your glass and wish Elvis “The Pelvis” Presley a Happy Birthday and a heartfelt thanks for so many memories.

Long Live The King!

Firing Fact Checkers From Facebook

Today, it was reported by CNN and others that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Threads, is ridding itself of content moderators, you know, fact checkers, the Nazi propagandists who have taken down many inoffensive posts for years. Including mine.

“Fact checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they have created,” Mark Zuckerberg said. “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly shut out opinions and shut down people with different ideas, and it has gone too far.”

Zuckerberg stated that the platforms will instead initiate user-generated “community-notes" similar to what Elon Musk uses on X.

In light of the fact that fact checkers actually have done greater harm to the concept and practice of free speech, is anyone surprised?

 Recently Joel Kaplan, a Republican, was named Chief of Global Affairs, and Dana White, a staunch Trump ally, was named to Meta’s Board of Directors. In addition, it was announced that Meta and Zuckerberg would donate $1MM to the Trump Inauguration Committee.

Presently, as you know, I have been placed in “Facebook Jail” since December 11 for a period of six months. I know I have seen others who were also banished for long periods of time before this, including the President-Elect, for voicing an opinion thar some Nazi did not like.

Once my sentence is lifted, I will accept that as enough of an apology for the action caused by some misguided anthropomorphic fool, who did not understand what free speech really means.

The question now becomes, “When does this new policy take effect? Today? Next week? In February?” It is one thing to make a statement. But it should come with an implemtation date, too.

We all await the next phase, Mark.