The World Looks to a Free Iran

Nine days ago, the Iranian citizenry began demonstrations against the theocratic rulers of their country due to worsening economic conditions, which has made food and water scarce, inflation rising over 50% and restriction on personal liberty intolerable. In previous incarnations of protests, the struggles were quashed by both police and military force.

This time, however, the police and much of the military are standing down. Instead, they are supporting the people rather than the Mullahs.

There is finally growing support to the people's cause both internally and internationally. The Ayatollah and his inner regime has recognized this, and rumors swirl that he and his cronies are trying to prepare an exit strategy to Moscow or Bejing. Of course taking billions of stolen dollars with them.

The world watches and waits for the next moves. The Israeli government has offered support for the people, which appears to embolden their resolve to continue to take back the country from their oppressors.

The recent outcome in Venezuela and the happiness shared by that country's citizens over the removal of their dictator have given hope and inspiration for a similar outcome in Iran. Women are even shedding their hijabs in the confidence that a new day is coming. Soon.

One must look to history for guidance. In 1989, months after President Reagan called for the Berlin Wall to be taken down, the people, with the support of the police and military, did so. Without arned government interference. Is this repeating in Iran?

Calls for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi are growing stronger each day to return from exile to his rightful place to be the new Shah. Spending the last forty-seven years under the theocratic rule of the IRGC has shown the people how great Iran was under the Pahlavi government.

It took months for Eastern Europe  and Berlin to free itself from the yoke of the former Soviet Union. It could be only weeks, or days, until the people of Iran free themselves from the Islamic Terror they were living under.

For that, the world will rejoice when it is able to celebrate with Iranians and scream, "Iran Is Free Once Again!"

A Blessed End to the Christmas Season

Today, for Catholics and Christians worldwide, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, or manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. We are witnesses via the the Magi or the three Wise Men to this event.

For many Christian sects, including the Greek and Russian Orthodox faithful, as well as  Coptic, Assyrian, Armenian and other Christians, today Christmas is celebrated.

Biblical accounts, especially discussed in the Gospel.of Matthew, place the Birth of Jesus during the reign of King Herod the Great, deemed to be between 6 and 4 BCE. This appears to align as well to the planetary alignment, or "syzygy" the Magi observed. 

These were learned men, who apparently read some of the prophesies foretelling the birth of the Messiah, and as such, looked to this alignment as if a star were leading them to his birthplace. When they arrived in Jesusalem, Matthew's gospel reveals they met with Herod in order to meet with the King of the Jews.

Herod was furious and ordered that all boys under two years old should be slaughtered, according to these gospel. While no historical  account exists specifically to corroborate the event, other well-documented facts exist to support Herod's madness discussed in both Matthew and Luke's gospels.

It is impossible to expect that these events occurred within in days of each other, ie, the Birth of Jesus and the Epiphany to the Magi. But over the centuries they have been linked together by many societies to tell the story of Christmas. And it makes the season even more magical. 

In many countries, this is a religious holiday as Christ's birth is revered by many one more time before we turn our focus onto Lent, the events of Holy Week, Christ's crucifixion and His Ressurection, which is the basics to our faith.

So, for those who celebrate Christ's birth today, Merry Christmas. For the rest of us, may you continue to bask in the warmth of the season the whole year long.

And perhaps, one day we will all live in peace which we have been promised.

Starting the New Year on the Wrong Foot

Happy New Year, My Friends. I hope you all had a joyous holiday season and have recouped from your eating binges and celebrations. 

And of course, while we were making merry and shedding our troubles as 2025 ended, and 2026 began, there were three events of note which occurred this weekend.

First up - Nicolas Maduro is no longer terrorizing Venezualans and the rest of the Western Hemisphere with his lust for power, his drug-running or his blatant disregard for all things NOT Maduro. Instead, he is locked away in federal custody awaiting his indictment for his crimes against humanity. More on this to come as events continue to unfold.

Second - Socialist Zohran Mamdani is now the Mayor of New York City. And as part of his campaign promise to provide free bus and subway transportation, the fare was INCREASED by ten cents to $3.00. Obviously, his minions who expected a free giveaway when he took office are not happy with this. While he does not run the MTA, he is off to a rollicking bad start before his first weekend is even over. To be continued, surely.

And finally - the Chief Tampon, uh, Executive of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who announced in September that he would seek an unprecedented third term for Governor, no matter what, has decided that he will cut and run, blaming his family, instead of facing the wrath of Minnesota's voters for his utter incompetence. You know, like letting Minneapolis burn in 2020. Or, like allowing vital services to evaporate while key individuals ravaged the state's Treasury on fraudulent schemes. Typical backbone and guts from a man who served with stolen valor. 

Five days into the new year and the dust has already tarnished a promising year. It makes one wonder what else is in store for us over the remaining 360 days. 

We can hardly wait to see what comes next in the continuing tales of "As Political Crap Turns".