Robert Mueller, Rest in Peace

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director and Special Counsel Robert Swan Mueller, III, who oversaw the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 that helped elect Donald Trump, died Friday at the age of 81 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Born in 1944 in New York, New York, he earned Bachelor of Arts in politics from Princeton University in 1966 and a Master of Arts in international relations from New York University three years later. Military Service in Combat: Mueller joined the United States Marines in 1968, serving in the Vietnamese War, where he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After three years in the military service, he added a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973. Mueller alternated as an attorney in both public and private practice over the course of his career. Public Service as an Attorney Starting in 1976, he worked in U.S. Attorney offices and in 1982 was appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts by President Ronald Regan, the first of a series of appointments by both Republican and Democratic Presidents. In President George H.W. Bush’s Administration, Mueller was Assistant to the Attorney General, then Acting Deputy Attorney General and then Assistant Attorney General, in charge of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department. He successfully prosecuted terrorists, organized crime leaders and former Panamanian dictator and drug dealer Manuel Noriega. Mueller returned to public service in 1995 in the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Columbia and then was appointed three years later the U.S. Attorney for Northern California. F.B.I. Director: Because of his record as a conservative Republican, President George W. Bush appointed him FBI Director, to which he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. Mueller served during the War on Terrorism for a ten-year term. President Barack Obama asked the Senate, which concurred unanimously, to reappoint Mueller for an additional two years -- the only person to serve more than one term as the head of the federal police force since 1972. His public service earned him the Thayer Award, the United States Military Academy’s highest award, in 2016. Special Counsel: Coming out of private practice once again in 2017, Mueller was appointed Special Counsel by the Deputy Attorney General in Donald Trump's Administration to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and particularly to prosecute any links or coordination between the Russians and the Trump Campaign. The appointment received bipartisan praise because of Mueller’s integrity, patriotism, lifetime of public service and conservative credentials. Mueller successfully prosecuted several Americans, including Trump’s campaign manager and other political operatives, as well as Russians, whom the Trump Administration sanctioned as a result. The Republican Special Counsel found that Russia had engaged in sweeping and systematic interference in American politics since 2014 and which was still ongoing, including in the 2016 presidential primaries to back Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries and Trump in the Republican primaries and general election. Mueller found that Trump had welcomed Russian interference, that his campaign manager had shared private polling with a Russian agent, and that Trump's campaign had numerous contacts with the Russians that no one reported to the FBI, and that the Trump campaign had at times expressed a willingness to accept information from the Russians harmful to the Democrats. He also found that the Trump campaign had coordinated its messaging with the release by a third party, Wikileaks, from which it was given advanced notice, that had been stolen by the Russians and provided to Wikileaks, which published the stolen information. Mueller’s findings validated the unanimous determinations by all seventeen U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the election, including to help Trump, and which were validated by the Republican-majority Senate Intelligence Committee, which unanimously issued a report concurring with Mueller’s findings. The Special Counsel determined that Trump and other targets of the investigation had illegally obstructed his probe, but because of a Justice Department policy of not prosecuting an incumbent president, Mueller urged the House of Representatives to impeach Trump for obstruction of justice. Trump and his supporters have misrepresented Mueller's findings ever since, claiming that the lack of a prosecution “exonerated” Trump, which was the opposite of what the Special Counsel said in his report, and that Mueller had found there was no “collusion” between the Trump campaign and the Russians, but as the Special Counsel was charged only with prosecuting crimes and no there was no federal criminal law called “collusion,” the Trumpist argument misleadingly hides the aforementioned coordination between the Russians and the Trump Campaign. Moreover, Russian interference in the close 2016 election was significant enough to alter the outcome, regardless of the degree of coordination between the Kremlin and Trump and his supporters. The contradictory vilification of Mueller by Trumpists and false claims that the Special Counsel had proven Trump innocent will never alter the judgment of history in favor of Mueller and his investigation. Mueller’s legacy of public service, both in war and as a prosecutor of criminals, and his integrity and conservative record, for which he was honored with bipartisan praise at the time of his passing, will be remembered far more favorably than that of Trump, who publicly celebrated Mueller’s death, or Trump’s campaign, administration or supporters, and inspire others to serve the people patriotically, honestly and bravely.

Trumpist Interference in the Hungarian Parliamentary Elections for the Far-Right Ruling Party versus the Center-Right Opposition

Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and other far-right Trumpists have endorsed the far-right, anti-migrant, autocratic, pro-Russian Hungarian ruling party in Hungary’s parliamentary elections in April versus the center-right TISZA opposition party led by Peter Magyar. Magyar is a European Parliament Member who resigned from Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Government because of its corruption. Hungary is a member of the European Union, where it was driven from the center-right European People’s Party because of its failure to live up to its conservative principles, and is also a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Yet its pro-Russian policy, and even allegations of spying on behalf of the Kremlin, have undermined those organizations' effectiveness in response to Russian aggression. The former Soviet satellite of Hungary, which had prospered after the fall of Communism, has become the poorest member of the EU under the corrupt autocracy and anti-migrant policies of Orban. Given the willingness of Trump and his allies to interfere in the Hungarian elections to back the Kremlin’s man in Budapest, we principled conservatives should publicly advocate for support for TISZA and Magyar.

Returning to Standard Time Would Be Better than Permanent Daylight Saving Time

As I do every year at this time, I advocate for the elimination of having to change the clocks twice a year. But there is a division on whether to eliminate Daylight Saving Time and remain on Standard Time, or the make Daylight Saving Time permanent. There is more legislative momentum for the latter, but the former is optimal. Nineteen States in the American Union have passed laws to remain on Daylight Saving Time permanently, pending federal approval of a similar law. There is also some support in the United States Congress for permanent Daylight Saving Time. Although it would eliminate the twice-a-year cost and burden of the changing the clocks and reduce some of the sleep deprivation and consequent physical and mental health problems and accidents caused by springing forward and falling back every year, it is not the optimal option for health reasons. Because Standard Time is based on the course of the sun in the sky, with noon corresponding approximately to the sun’s highest point in the sky, our circadian rhythms (the body’s natural sleep/wake cycle) are aligned with both with the sun and Standard Time. Disruptions of the circadian rhythm are injurious to health. Plus, the darker mornings lead to more traffic accidents. Therefore, although permanent Daylight Saving Time would be better than the status quo, a return to Standard Time would be better. I also note that our circadian rhythms are already under enough stress because of artificial light, which is one of many reasons to support the Dark Sky Initiative, in addition to reducing the disruptions to wildlife and especially to allow for better astronomical observation. Laws and practices ought to be promote all aspects of health, instead of undermining them.

The Trump Administration’s Anti-Migrant Policies Are Adversely Affecting Healthcare

The policies of the Administration of Donald Trump are adversely affecting healthcare, not only for migrants, but for all Americans. There have been instances when Administration officials have directly impeded healthcare for migrants, but mainly they discourage access to healthcare through the fear their policies are causing among migrants, including those present legally, and refugees. The Trump Administration has been illegally requesting from healthcare providers data protected by federal privacy law. As a result of the targeting of healthcare providers for its anti-migrant policies, there have been significantly fewer healthcare visits to doctor’s offices or urgent care centers, just as I had observed in my last post that church attendance is down because of the targeting of churches. As peoples health problems worsen, costlier hospital emergency room visits, which thereby increase the wait times for all other patients, become inevitable. The budget of healthcare providers has been negatively affected, which puts all patients at risk of reduced care. Furthermore, decreased vaccinations put everyone at risk. For example, there has been a decade-high spike in pertussis (whooping cough) in Texas, in addition to the measles outbreaks I have been posting about.

More Resistance by Faith Leaders against the Trump Administration’s Anti-Migrant Policies

Catholic clergy won a court case last month granting them access to minister to the spiritual needs of Catholic refugees, including distributing Communion to them. The Trump Administration had previously denied their access to migrants for ministry. Catholic Bishops have been complaining about reduced church attendance because of the Trump Administration’s targeting and harassing of Catholic Parishes. In addition to the one I posted about last year, more Catholic Bishops, including one each in California and Louisiana, the Bishops of all three Dioceses in Tennessee, and even a conservative Bishop in Ohio, are excusing immigrants from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass if they have a reasonable fear of being targeted by the Trump Administration’s anti-migrant policies. Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pontiff, declined an invitation from the United States to celebrate the 150th anniversary of American independence and instead is sending a thinly veiled message by announcing instead a visit at the time to Lampedusa, the Italian island south of Sicily that is a hotspot for migrants. Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance admitted that his calumny against the American Bishops that they were pro-migrant out of financial gain was false. Trumpist and other nativists and xenophobes have been accusing the Catholic Church of “human trafficking” for aiding migrants, even though ministering to strangers, especially refugees, is one of its religious duties. Last month, Jews protested the Trump Administration’s anti-migrant policies. More than 150 rabbis and cantors protested outside the Washington, D.C. headquarters of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Hundreds of Evangelical Protestant Christian scholars and pastors signed a letter last month condemning the Trump Administration’s treatment of migrants. As I have posted, the Trump Administration has targeted migrants unjustly, including those who are present legally, violated due process and court orders, used excessive force against migrants and peaceful protestors, broken up families, violated the liberty of refugees who credibly fear persecution, and even violated the freedoms and rights of American citizens. Opposition parties, States, immigrant and human rights organizations, lawyers, business organizations and owners, and faith leaders have been among those opposing the anti-migrant policy of the Trump Administration.

American Catholic Cardinals Rebuke Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy

The Catholic Cardinals who lead the dioceses of Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Newark, New Jersey issued an extraordinary joint statement last month rebuking Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Their statement was issued in light of American-born Pope Leo XIV’s recent criticism of the trend by the superpowers (the United States and the Russian Federation) to use force to assert dominion that is undermining peace and the international order, especially when it disrespects internationally recognized borders, instead of relying on dialogue that leads to consensus. The American Bishops lamented the destruction of international relations, the use of war as an instrument of narrow national interests, the violation of sovereign rights to self-determination, and foreign policy that is partisan and polarizing. They reiterated the Pontiff’s call for a moral foreign policy that respects the right to life and religious liberty, noting that abortion and euthanasia undermine the foundation of every other right, and respects freedom of religion versus liberty-crushing religious or ideological purity. The Bishops also echoed Pope Leo's criticism of the decrease by wealthier countries in foreign humanitarian aid. The Bishops’ remarks were clearly aimed at Trump for his threats to seize Greenland, the self-governing Danish territory, by force, his focus on Venezuela's oil industry, and his Administration's steep cuts in humanitarian aid. The letter by the three Cardinals was issued only a few months after the United States Catholic Bishops Conference issued an extraordinary rebuke against the Trump Administration's immoral anti-migrant policies, as I had posted in November. And in my last post, I noted the Holy See’s declination of the invitation by the Trump Administration to join Trump’s “Board of Peace.”

Foreign Digest: Trump’s Board of Peace, Iran, Russia and Ukraine

Board of Peace: Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” held its initial meeting, after being snubbed by most European and some other United States allies. The Board is intended ostensibly to administer the Gaza Strip and provide a forum for other international disputes. The unusual structure of it has given some States pause or caused them to reject the invitations to join, such as the Holy See, which expressed perplexity over the Board's structure and expressed the concern that it would supplant the United Nations. For example, Trump would be chairman for life, holds unilateral veto power, and the invitation-only form costs $1 billion to join. The European Union and Italy, an ally whose center-right Prime Minister is close with Trump and acts as a bridge between the two sides of the Atlantic, will participate only as observers. The Italian Constitution prohibits participating in any organization in which Italy would not have voting parity, which Board of Peace members would not have. Most other key allies that were invited have not joined, but some dictatorships and a few allies have. Iran: Over a million people turned out for the Day of Action rallies for Iran around the world, including in American cities over a week ago. There was also a new round of protests in several cities in Iran, despite the killing of thousands of Iranians by the Islamic Republic and mass arrests of others, with threatened executions, after the largest round of protests in years last month. The theocratic Shi’ite Muslim Iranian regime foments Islamic revolution throughout the Islamic world, especially among fellow Shi’ites, and is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. Iran has been developing a nuclear weapon program. The Islamic Republic arms the Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine: Trump has delayed a vote by the United States Congress on sanctions against the Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine through his pressure on the majority Republican caucuses of each chamber. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine. Today is the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia had invaded the former Soviet Republic in 2014, seizing Crimea and then fomented a separatist rebellion in the Russian-speaking areas of eastern Ukraine. Russia’s aggression violates the Unted Nations Charter, as the organization was formed after the Second World War to oppose aggression, as well as Russian recognition of Ukrainian independence and agreements to respect Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity that were given in exchange for Ukraine giving up its Soviet nuclear weapons and missiles, a deal which was supposed to be backed by American and British security guarantees for Ukraine. Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin is an ex-Soviet intelligence officer who intends to restore the Soviet Union and Russian Empire. Russia invaded the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in 2008 and has kept troops in Moldova, a former Soviet Republic west of Ukraine, against Moldova’s wishes in support of a breakaway region of Russian-speakers.

Trump Proves Why Only George Washington Should be Honored on the Holiday for His Birthday

Every year, I advocate for a restoration of the holiday of “George Washington’s Birthday,” which is the name of the federal holiday, but not that of most States in the American Union and not used in common parlance, both of which usually refer to it, if not as “Washington and Lincoln’s Birthdays,” but especially as “Presidents’ Day” or something similar. I explain how the holiday is never observed on Washington’s February 22 birthday, and that it was intended to celebrate not only Washington’s presidency or the Presidents or the presidency in general, but Washington’s indispensable contributions as the General who led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and as a Founding Father. His great character, particularly his bravery, willingness to make great sacrifices out of service to his State and America, his honesty and integrity, is an exemplary one for all Americans. I have noted in the past that honoring Washington alone is a unifying practice, instead of a divisive one by honoring all the Presidents, and especially how honoring those who were scoundrels, particularly the two who had dodged the military draft during the Cold War through deception, namely William J. Clinton and Donald J. Trump, would be inappropriate and harmful to the spirit of the American people. Alas, Trump’s poor character, which has caused unprecedented corruption, authoritarianism, cruelty, dishonesty, and a decrease of understanding or respect for American ideals, has proven my point. The presidency was created by the Framers of the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention that Washington chaired in Philadelphia in 1787 with Washington in mind for the office, and his immediate successor as President, fellow Founding Father John Adams, had prayed that only people of good character would ever hold the office. But the cult of the presidency has grown along with its disproportionate power relative to the other Branches of Government, particularly the Legislative, as has populism, at the expense of federalism, fiscal discipline, discernment and restraint, in violation of the principles of the Founders and Washington. Restoring “Washington’s Birthday” would remind Americans not only of the Father of his Country’s contributions to America throughout his life and his character, but of the ideals of the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers that remain as timely as ever.

Foreign Digest: Hungary, Russia, Syria and Iran

Hungary: Donald Trump endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for re-election in the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April. Using the presidency openly to interfere in a foreign State’s (particularly an ally, as Hungary is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) free elections is inappropriate in the first place, but to endorse a self-described “illiberal” premier who rules autocratically by decree, is corrupt, anti-migrant and pro-Russian is scandalous, and considering his opponent, Peter Magyar, whose center-right party leads the polls, it is also un-Republican and un-conservative politics. As I have noted, Orban’s nationalist xenophobia and anti-European Union views have made him a darling of the self-described “nationalist” American far right and Trumpists. Their fondness for Orban suggests their authoritarian, isolationist and bigoted vision for America. Russia: Russia poisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2024 with poison from a South American frog while he was imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony on politically motivated charges, according to five European States who had examined samples taken from Navalny’s body. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden are also reporting the Russian Federation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention that Russia had signed. The European findings validate two independent laboratory tests that Navalny’s widow had conducted. Opposition leaders, human rights advocates, journalists and anyone else who criticizes Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin are routinely assaulted, poisoned, killed, persecuted, imprisoned or banished. Even Russian exiles have been targeted by the Kremlin. Navalny had been poisoned in 2020 with a nerve agent by Russia. Syria: The United States abandoned its military base in northeastern Syria after brokering the integration deal between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Government I had posted about in my last post. The U.S. is relocating its forces to Jordan to continue to prevent the Islamic State terrorist organization from reconquering the territory it had seized in Syria and Iraq, where there are also American bases. The Islamic State broke away from the Sunni Islamist terrorist organization al Qaeda, which had killed nearly 3,000 people in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on America. Both organizations remain a threat throughout the Islamic world. The abandonment of the base is part of the reason I urged in my last post for the U.S. to ensure the deal is implemented and that our SDF allies, particularly the Kurds, are not also abandoned to terrorists. Iran: Yesterday was a Day of Action, as called by Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, to overthrow the tyrannical Islamist theocracy Islamic Republic of Iran and transition to liberty and representative government in what he calls Iran’s “Lion and Sun Revolution,” referring to the symbol on the imperial flag before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Protests were led in Munich, Germany, where Pahlavi spoke; Los Angeles, California; and Toronto, Canada, among others around the world by exiled Iranians and freedom-loving people. Pahlavi called for six action steps: dismantling the regime's means for repression, cutting off the regime's financial lifelines, ensure free Internet and communications, expel the regime’s “diplomats” and prosecute its criminals, release all political prisoners, and prepare to recognize a transitional government. During the Munich Security Conference, Pahlavi also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two expressed mutual support for freedom for each others’ people, as Pahlavi expressed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity against Russian aggression. Iran provides Russia with arms. The Islamic Republic also foments Islamist revolution around the Shi’ite Islamic world and is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism.

Integration Agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Government

The Syrian Government reached an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for integration late last month, in a major step toward national reconciliation after the fall of the tyrannical Baathist Assad regime in December 2024, which had ruled for over half a century, and the Syrian Civil War, which started in 2011 and killed over half a million people and displaced millions. Iran, its Lebanese Shi’ite sponsored terrorists Hezbollah, and the Russian Federation had backed Bashar Assad, while the United States had supported the SDF, which focused mostly on combatting the Islamist terrorist organizations, al-Qaeda and its offshoot, the Islamic State. Al Qaeda had been responsible for the deadliest terrorist attack in history, the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks against America that killed nearly 3,000 people. The U.S. led an international coalition to take away the Islamic State’s territory in Syria and Iraq, over which it had claimed a caliphate, but both al-Qaeda and the I.S. remain a threat throughout the Islamic World. The SDF is led by Kurds, but includes Armenian Christians and others, and governed northeastern Syria autonomously, although the new Syrian Government, which took power in 2004 after having been backed by Turkey, had seized some of the SDF’s territory. The SDF had been entrusted with I.S. prisoners, some of whom escaped during the clashes, who will be turned over to the Syrian Government. In the new agreement, brokered by the U.S. and guaranteed by both it and Syria’s former colonial power, France, Syrian Government forces will patrol in the Kurdish-ruled provinces, alongside provincial Kurdish forces, while SDF forces will form units in the Syrian Army while Kurdish provincial civil servants would be integrated into the state civil service. Kurdish civil and educational rights would be guaranteed by the agreement and displaced Kurds would enjoy the right to return to their territory. The integration agreement came after a truce and a decree by the Syrian Government recognizing the Kurdish language as official, along with Arabic, recognizing a Kurdish holiday as a national holiday, and annulling old laws that had stripped many Kurds of citizenship. Syria has multiple religious and ethnic minorities that the Syrian Government must respect and integrate for the sake of peace and national unity, as it has promised to do. After renouncing terrorism and dismantling Syria’s state-run drug production and trafficking operation, the U.S. and its allies have dropped economic sanctions on Syria. The U.S. must demonstrate gratitude and loyalty to its SDF and Kurdish allies by guaranteeing the success of the integration agreement between Damascus and the SDF.

Foreign Digest: Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Greenland

Iran: The Islamic Republic of Iran killed thousands of peaceful Iranian protestors during the Internet blackout the tyrannical theocracy imposed to quell dissent to its 47-year rule. Thousands of others were injured and at least 10,000 arrested. As I have posted, the protests erupted in December of the collapse of the Iranian currency, but spread beyond merchants to the broader population and beyond a protest against the high cost-of-living to demonstrations against the dictatorship and even a return to the monarchy. The United States had threatened military action against the regime if it killed peaceful protestors, but instead only imposed economic sanctions on Iranian trading partners. Iran is the worst state sponsor of terrorism in the world. It foments Islamic Revolution, particularly among fellow Shi’ites, around the Islamic world. Syria: The U.S. struck Islamic State targets in Syria for a third time since a deadly December attack by the Sunni Islamist terrorist organization that killed American troops and a civilian worker, as I have posted. The strike killed the I.S. leader responsible for the attack. As I had posted, Jordan had participated in the first two waves of strikes and the Syrian Government has coordinated the action with the U.S. Some American troops remain present in Syria against the I.S. and al-Qaeda, as in Iraq. I.S. was formerly al-Qaeda in Iraq and Syria, but broke away from its parent organization that was responsible for the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on America that were the bloodiest in world history, killing nearly 3,000 people. The U.S. has been fighting al-Qaeda in the then-named War on Terrorism ever since, removing its safe haven in Afghanistan, and taking away I.S. control over all its territory in Syria and Iraq, and killing the leaders of each organization, but the two remain a threat throughout parts of the Islamic world. Venezuela: The Socialist dictatorship of Venezuela remains in power, as it has since 2000, even after the arrest in a raid by the United States of the previous de facto dictator on federal narco-terrorism charges. The Venezuelan regime has been releasing more international political prisoners, but a change in policy is not expected. As I have posted, the center-right opposition easily won the presidential election in 2024, but the Socialists refused to give up power. The U.S., many Latin American and European States did not recognize the Socialist dictator as the President or even recognized the opposition candidate, former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, as the de jure President, but as I have posted, the U.S. is not making any effort to empower the election winner or the opposition leader for whom he had stood in because the dictatorship had banned her from office. Greenland: After several European and fellow North Atlantic Treaty Organization members, namely France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Finland, sent troops to bolster Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland in the face of Donald Trump’s threats to seize militarily the self-governing part of the Danish Kingdom. Trump responded with tariffs against Denmark and each of the NATO allies sending troops, as well as the United Kingdom, which supported Danish sovereignty. As I have posted, Trump's threats of aggression against Greenland and Denmark not only violate international law, but threaten existentially the NATO alliance that is led by the U.S. and which has been the most successful defensive pact in world history, having prevented Soviet/Russian invasion of Western Europe and keeping America and Canada also safe from nuclear missile attack. Greenland is a strategic part of the collective defense of the NATO members, as it hosts a U.S. Air Force base half way between Moscow, Russia and Washington, D.C. that tracks Russian missiles and serves other military purposes. The U.S. has access to the base and would be permitted increase its presence, as Denmark is a loyal ally. Neither Greenland, nor Denmark accept Trump’s offer to purchase the world’s largest island that is mostly covered by ice sheets, and oppose seizure by force. Greenland is currently governed by a center-right government that is moderately pro-independence and which is strongly defendig Greenlandic self-determination. Trump’s threats have met with harsh bipartisan congressional criticism, with bipartisan legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress to thwart any military action by Trump against Greenland and Denmark, while other legislative options are being considered. One Republican U.S. Representative even threatened Trump with impeachment were he to take any military action to seize Greenland by force.

Follow-Up on the Mass Iranian Protests against the Islamic Republic

The mass protests by Iranians have continued for two weeks and have spread to all Iran’s provinces, including by major ethnic minorities, such as Kurds and Azeris. The protestors have attacked paramilitary and Islamic Republic targets. The tyrannical theocratic regime has responded by arresting thousands and with violence, as usual, with dozens to hundreds dead and thousands injured. The Islamic Republic has shut down the Internet and initiated electrical blackouts at the time called for protestors to take to the streets by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah (King) of Iran, who was deposed in 1979 in the Iranian Revolution that brought the mullahs to power in the Islamic Republic. The Iranian people continue to call for the end of the theocratic dictatorship and for Pahlavi’s return, and are brandishing Iranian lion and sun flags, which were the flags of imperial Iran before the Revolution, and images of the House of Pahlavi. Pahlavi has been living in exile in America, while engaging with the Iranian exile community and the broader Iranian diaspora. The protests are reaching the size of those of 2022 or 2019, if they have not already, but with the Iranian regime weakened by its loss in the war with Israel last year, in which the United States joining in the targeting of Iranian nuclear sites, and especially by the collapse of Iran’s currency, which is what sparked the protests initially. There was some expression of opposition to the Crown Prince among protestors who are leftists and some members of ethnic groups who oppose the Islamic Republic, but favor separatism. But there was also some support among the latter groups for restoring the monarchy. There were also protests across the Iranian diaspora in Europe, Canada and America at the time called for by Pahlavi. As in Iran, the people are calling for the return of the monarchy under Pahlavi as Shah. The National Union for Democracy in Iran, a group of Iranian exiles in America, have drafted the Iran Prosperity Program, a detailed plan formed with governance and finance experts for a transition of Iran from a theocratic dictatorship to a constitutional monarchy with Pahlavi as Shah and an elective representative parliament, that would be secular, respect human rights for all Iranian religious and ethnic minorities, be prosperous, stop fomenting Islamic revolution and sponsoring terrorism, and be at peace with its neighbors, Israel and the West. As I have posted, Iran foments Islamic revolution throughout the Islamic world, particularly among Shi’ites, is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, and is an ally of the Russian Federation, to which it supplies material for the Russian aggression against Ukraine, while developing a nuclear and ballistic missile program. A free Iran would thus be of great benefit to the security and peace of the region and world. There have been growing calls of support for the Iranian people from the international community, including Ukraine, the European Union and some of its member States, and the United States, which has warned the Islamic Republic not to kill protestors again. As we Americans celebrate the 25th anniversary of our own Revolution, we should stand with the Iranian people in their current counter-revolution.

Conservative Analysis of the Latest Developments in Venezuela

The United States military conducted a raid in Venezuela to facilitate the arrest by law enforcement officials of the Socialist dictator, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife and their extraction to America on federal narco-terrorism charges. There were scores of Venezuelan casualties, but only a few injuries for the American forces. De facto President Maduro and his co-defendants, who remain at large, were indicted by a federal grand jury in a superseding indictment, after he had been indicted by a federal grand jury in 2011 on drug charges. The recent charges are part of a series of charges against anti-American Socialist Venezuelan regime officials for drug trafficking for personal profit and ideological reasons and support of terrorists. The Socialist regime in the South American State had given support to Colombian Marxist narco-terrorists, namely the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, some of the factions of which are still fighting a guerilla war against Colombia, and the National Liberation Army, which is also still fighting. Both organizations or their factions that are still fighting have been designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations. They both also derive income from drug trafficking, particularly of cocaine, of which Colombia is the world’s largest producer. As I have posted, the Venezuelan Socialist dictatorship was increasingly tyrannical after having first been elected popularly in 2000, which caused human rights abuses, poverty, shortages and corruption, forcing millions of Venezuelans to seek refugee elsewhere in Latin America or in America. Venezuela had also nationalized most of the assets of the oil industry operating there, including those owned by Americans. The Socialists regime made Venezuela a part of what I refer to as the Axis of Rogues, allying itself with Russia and Iran. The influence of Iran its Lebanese Shi’ite terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, in Venezuela was significant. Socialist Venezuela was also an ally of Communist Cuba, a state sponsor of terrorism. Therefore, the Trump Administration could have made a strong case for security reasons for military action against Venezuela, beyond the raid to arrest Maduro on federal narco-terrorism charges, but instead focused especially in its messaging on Venezuela’s oil, which appears to make the U.S. seem only economically self-interested, instead of motivated by principle. Trump’s argument was undermined further by his recent pardon of the former Honduran President who had been convicted of federal charges for drug charges for using his office to facilitate the shipment of drugs into America. Moreover, Trump left the Socialist regime in place, even though the Socialist dictatorship under Maduro and his successor is not the legitimate government of Venezuela, as they were elected and re-elected in fraudulent elections not recognized by many Latin American States, the U.S., and many of its Western allies, many of which recognize the center-right opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, as the president-elect. Gonzalez was forced into exile in Spain, however. Trump expressly discouraged the conservative opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, whom the Socialist dictatorship had barred from holding public office, from taking power, or at least to facilitate Gonzalez’s return. Although the new Venezuelan de facto President freed some of the many political prisoners, particularly some with foreign citizenship, dissent is still not tolerated by the Socialist regime. It was just that Maduro and his wife were arrested and will face federal charges, but it remains unclear if any strategic change will occur, either domestically in Venezuela or internationally, while American prestige was vulnerable to question because of Trump’s poor messaging and inconsistency. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues its attacks on what it claims are suspected drug trafficking boats, which has raised legal concerns, and its blockade on sanctioned merchant ships from Venezuela, which it has been seizing. It is hoped the raid somehow would weaken the Socialists’ grip on Venezuela, or at least deter their drug dealing support for narco-terrorists. But a more concerted action by the U.S., including Congress, and its international allies, together with the opposition and the de jure President Gonzalez, would be necessary to free Venezuela from tyranny and deprive Axis of Rogues of a key ally.

Foreign Digest: Greenland, Denmark, Germany and Syria

Greenland and Denmark: Donald Trump continues his threats to take Greenland, a self-governing territory that is a realm of the Kingdom of Denmark, either by forcing a sale or military action. Demark is an ally of the U.S. as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As such, it has long granted access to the U.S. for bases in Greenland, as the world’s largest island is strategically located in the Arctic Ocean across from the Russian Federation, which makes American acquisition of the territory unnecessary. The Danish territory also is near critical shipping lanes. Greenland, inhabited mostly by Inuit and colonized by the Danes since the 18th Century, is heavily subsidized by Denmark, but potentially has natural resources of great value, such as rare earth metals, which attracts Trump’s interest, in addition to its strategic location. Both the center-right government of Greenland and Denmark reject any takeover by the U.S. and insist on Greenland’s self-determination, including independence, which the government and other Greenlandic parties support. Trump’s threats violate international law and threaten the stability of NATO, the most successful defense pact in history, at a time of increased threat from Russian imperialism. America’s NATO allies have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty. Trump has also made territorial demands against Panama, which has a pro-American center-right government, and Canada, a NATO ally. Germany: There were leftist attacks against the electrical system last week caused the worst blackout in Berlin since the early Cold War. There have been repeated attacks by leftists against Germany’s electrical system in recent months and years. The attacks jeopardize public safety. Syria: The U.S. conducted additional strikes last week against the Islamic State in Syria, with Jordanian participation and the cooperation of the Syrian Government. These were follow-up strikes to the ones conducted last month that I posted about in retaliation for a deadly attack by the Islamic State against American troops in Syria who are present to continue operations against the Suni Islamist terrorist organization that is a breakaway rival of al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda had committed the deadliest terrorist attacks in history, killing nearly 3,000 people in the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on America. The attacks sparked the Global War on Terrorism that the U.S. and its allies have conducted ever since, even though the name of the war has not been used since the administration of President George W. Bush. There are also American troops in Iraq as part of the mission against the two Islamist terrorist organizations. The Islamic State had declared a caliphate (a religiously authoritative government for Muslims) in Iraq and Syria in 2013. The U.S.-led international coalition of Arab and Western allies eliminated its territory and killed its leader, but like al-Qaeda, and whose safe harbor in Afghanistan had been eliminated in the War on Terrorism and whose leadership was also killed, remains a threat throughout the Islamic world.

Growing Mass Protests in Iran, Calls for the End of the Islamic Republic and Return of the King

The largest protests in Iran in three years have been taking place the last six days, growing and spreading geographically and in terms of the backgrounds of the protestors. What started as protests about hyperinflation and the historic collapse of the Iranian rial by shopkeepers at bazaars, has turned into a rebellion against oppression by the theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran, as women, students and others join in scores of cities across Iran. The regime is responding with deadly force against peaceful protests, as it always does. But the Iranian people are not being intimidated this time and have even taken over some facilities operated by paramilitary security forces used by the ruling mullahs to suppress dissent violently. Demonstrators notably are calling for the end of the regime, death to the Ayatollah who is the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, and they are widely calling for the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the Shah (King) and the restoration of the ancient Peacock Throne. Pahlavi’s father, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, was overthrown in 1979 in the Islamic Revolution and he and his family fled into exile, first in America, which was the excuse Iranians gave for taking the United States Embassy staff hostage, then Panama. The Shah died the next year. The Crown Prince has led the opposition among Iran’s allies and promises to establish a constitutional monarchy and representative government. Like the Shah, who was an ally of the U.S., the Crown Prince is pro-American and also pro-Israel. Iran, which foments Islamic rebellion, particularly among fellow Shi’ites, is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism, backing terrorists and militants in Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and elsewhere, and launching attacks around the Islamic world and even beyond, such as against Jews in Argentina. The Islamic Republic is an ally of Russia and is part of what I refer to as the Axis of Rogues. Iran has been sending materiel to Russia durings its aggression against Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies should encourage the Iranian people to rise up against their oppressors and offer the promise of peaceful relations with a free Iran, just as they have with Syria, Iran’s and Russia’s ally whose tyrannical Assad regime was overthrown a little over a year ago, instead of letting the Iranians protest without any international encouragemen, as in 2009. The opportunity not only for a free Iran, but to reduce terrorism and increase peace in the world must not be missed.

Happy New Year, 2026!

I wish you all a good new year! As we continue to experience challenging times for equality, liberty and representative government, may we continue to have faith in our Creator and ask for His blessings for America and the world. And may we continue to be grateful for and confident in the Constitution the Founding Fathers of the United States gave us with is limited and divided government that has served as necessary checks against the centralization of power in a would-be autocrat, especially as the celebration begins for the 250th anniversary of American Independence this year. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please continue to visit regularly for news and analysis, as it is ever important to keep informed and to learn of actions to be taken to defend freedom.

Foreign Digest: Russia, Germany and Nigeria

Russia and Germany: The leading far-right anti-migrant pro-Russian party in Germany allegedly provided intelligence to the Russian Federation. The neo-Nazi party that is backed by Trumpist Americans was accused by the German Federal Government, which is led by a center-right coalition. Nigeria: The United States struck Islamic State targets in Nigeria, with the cooperation of the Nigerian Government. The Islamic State split from al-Qaeda, the Islamist terrorist organization responsible for the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on America that killed nearly 3,000 people, which was the deadliest terrorist attack in history. Islamist terrorists have been kidnapping and killing Christians and others in Nigeria, including at places of worship. Nigeria thus becomes a new battlefield in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism, along with Syria and Somalia currently, which was launched after the September 11 Attacks against the Taliban who ruled in Afghanistan and gave safe harbor to al-Qaeda, as well as other places where they had affiliates, or later against the Islamic State and its affiliates.

Merry Christmas, 2025!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, reign over America and the whole world!

Foreign Digest: West Africa, Iraq and Syria

West Africa: There was a military coup recently in Guinea-Bissau after a closely contested presidential election. The military takeover in the coup-plagued former Portuguese colony was just the latest in the last few years in West Africa, after a wave of military coups in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger since 2021. As I had posted, the coups in Mali and Niger overthrew pro-Western elected governments in the former French colonies that the United States and its Western allies, especially France, were helping against Islamist terrorists. The coup leaders in Mali and Niger, in addition to having anti-colonial views toward the French, were dissatisfied with the governments’ actions against the Islamists and turned away from the West and toward Kremlin-backed Russian mercenaries. Terrorist attacks have increased, however. One encouraging development was that a military coup was thwarted in the region in Benin by the elected government. The Economic Community of West African States, which has condemned all the coups and called for returns to elective representative government, is supporting Benin. Iraq and Syria: The United States had conducted joint raids against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria with the Iraq and Syrian Governments. After an attack last week by IS against American forces that killed two U.S. servicemen and a American translator in Syria, the U.S. and Jordan struck several dozen IS targets in Syria. The Syrian Government’s cooperation with the U.S. against IS is a significant change in Syrian policy from the Baathist Assad tyranny that ruled the Arab State for five decades until last December. The U.S. recently lifted sanctions against Syria. The IS broke away from al-Qaeda, the Sunni Islamist terrorist organization responsible for the deadliest terrorist attack ever, the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on America that killed 3,000 people. The new Syrian Government is led by former Islamist guerillas wthat had been affiliated with al-Qaeda, but, backed by Turkey, brought down the Assad regime, despite support for it from Iran, Hezbollah (the Lebanese Shi’ite terrorist organization backed by Iran) and the Russian Federation, after a 14-year multi-lateral Civil War. But the Syrian leadership, which had ruled a Syrian Province during the Civil War, has renounced terrorism and opposes Syria being used as a base by terrorists to threaten other States, is implementing a policy of tolerance for religious and ethnic minorities, and is transitioning to a constitutional parliamentary republic, as I have posted, and wants peace with its neighbors, including even Israel. AsI have also posted, Syria is also destroying the production infrastructure for captagon, the synthetic narcotic that had been causing addiction problems for for the people residing in neighboring Arab States. The overthrow of the two Baathist regimes of Iraq in 2003 and Syria last year have been critical victories for the U.S. and its allies in the War on Terrorism, launched after September 11, that continue to help counter the threat from Islamist terrorism. The U.S. maintains a small troop presence in Iraq and Syria against al-Qaeda and IS, and has continued to fight the al-Qaeda affiliate in Somalia.

American Semiquincentennial Series Coin Designs

The United States Mint unveiled its designs for the American Semiquincentennial Series Coins to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence next year: https://wwwusmint.gov/news/media-kit/semi-q-resources#half-dollar Although only the nickel, dime and quarter are being minted currently for general circulation, the set, which will bear the dates 1776 ~2026, will include a one-cent coin and a half dollar in both uncirculated and proof sets. The set will focus on the American Revolution, American independence, the founding of the United States under the Constitutional union, and in liberty. Other than the “SemiQ” date, the penny and nickel designs will remain the same. Liberty will appear on the obverse of the “Emerging Liberty” Dime, with an eagle on the reverse and the inscription “LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY.” As I have posted, the Founders eschewed images on coins of themselves or other individuals – in deliberate contrast to the Roman Emperors, who put their own images on coins to promote public favor – and instead favored the Roman goddess of Liberty on obverses and eagles or other devices on the reverses. There will be five designs for the quarter dollar, issued in a series. The Mayflower Compact Quarter will feature a design of a Pilgrim couple on the obverse, with the Mayflower on the reverse and “MAYFLOWER COMPACT” as an inscription. The Revolutionary War Quarter features a bust of George Washington on the obverse and a Revolutionary War soldier at the Valley Forge Encampment and “REVOLUTIONARY WAR” on the reverse. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, appears on the obverse of the Declaration of Independence Quarter, which features a ringing Liberty Bell on the Reverse, with the inscription “DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.” The Father of the Constitution, James Madison, appears on the obverse of the U.S. Constitution Quarter, with Independence Hall and the inscription “U.S. CONSTITUTION.” It will be the first time Madison is featured on a regular-issue circulating coin. On the Gettysburg Address Quarter, an image of Abraham Lincoln appears on the obverse, and clasping hands with the inscription “A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY” on the reverse. The Enduring Liberty Half Dollar features an image of the Statue of Liberty on the obverse and a torch being passed from Liberty to the hand of another person on the reverse, with the inscription ‘KNOWLEDGE IS THE ONLY GUARDIAN OF TRUE LIBERTY.” The Revolutionary War soldier on the reverse of the Revolutionary War Quarter, the Liberty Bell on the reverse of the Declaration of Independence Quarter and Independence Hall on the reverse of the U.S. Constitution Quarter are all evocative of the reverses on the Bicentennial Series Quarter, Dollar and Half Dollar coins, respectively. There was no announcement from the Mint about any change to Dollar coins. The regular designs will return in 2027. The SemiQ designs are fitting, educational and inspiring. In addition to inspiring appreciation for American independence, liberty, federal union, and representative government, it is hoped that the designs, like the Bicentennial Series, will encourage coin collecting.

Federal Indictments for Russian Cyberattacks and Sabotage on America

A federal indictment was issued last week against the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency, for cyberattacks and sabotage in America. The United States proved probable cause that the Russian Federation penetrated an airport in Missouri, and compromised drinking water and storage facilities in Texas, Pennsylvania and Indiana, and a meat packing plant in California and an oil and gas company in Colorado. The Texas attack caused an overflow of water. The Russian cyberattack against the meat packing plant in California caused meat spoilage and an ammonia leak. An oil and gas company in Colorado was attacked by the Russians, causing a depletion of its chemical supplies by injecting them into oil wells. Russia has been carrying out a cyberattack and sabotage campaign against Europe, especially since its full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022. Since 2014, the year Russia first committed aggression against Ukraine, the Russians have been engaged in political and election interference in both Europe and America through cyberattacks, bribery or illegal campaign contributions, sabotage, attacks on diplomats, as well as assassinations against Russian dissidents in exile. Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, who has ruled for 25 years in one capacity or another, is a former Soviet intelligence agent who is trying to restore the Soviet Union and Russian Empire. Russia invaded the former Soviet Republics of Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014 and has kept troops in a breakaway part of Moldova against that former Soviet Republic’s wishes, despite Russian recognition of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and other former Republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Remember, Americans: Pearl Harbor Proved Isolationism’s Folly

Americans today observe Pearl Harbor Day, the 84th anniversary of the “day that will live in infamy,” when the fascist Japanese Empire suddenly attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack on December 7, 1941 thrust Americans into war against Japan and the rest of its fascist Axis allies, as part of the Second World War that had begun in September 1939, with the Axis Nazi German and Soviet invasion of Poland. Pearl Harbor Day also was a watershed in American politics, as it ended the isolationist movement that either sympathized with the Axis, or at least, in the name of being pacifist, opposed any meaningful policies to resist the advance of totalitarian imperialism. The folly of the isolationist slogan that “our oceans will protect us” was disproven and the movement was destroyed by the Japanese bombs at Pearl Harbor, along with the ships, aircraft and thousands of military personnel and civilians who were killed. During the Cold War, a remnant of isolationists or Communist sympathizers on the left and even some isolationists on the far right opposed meaningful measures to contain the Soviet Union and International Communism, foolishly again placing their trust in the oceans while the Soviets developed nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles. After the fall of Soviet Communism, which was achieved by not adopting isolationist policies, a second Pearl Harbor-scale attack occurred on September 11, 2001, when Islamist terrorists hijacked civilian aircraft and crashed them into New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania, killed even more people than at Pearl Harbor. And once again, isolationists on the far left and far right were proven foolish by the attacks the showed how oceans and even military and economic might afford little protection against such an evil and determined foe. But isolationists opposed the Global War on Terrorism and demanded an end to the wars that the Islamist enemy has been willing to engage in endlessly. Each time America or its allies and interests are threatened, the isolationists present an argument that superficially appears patriotic: that lives and treasure would be spared by not becoming involved in wars. But it is one that is either influenced by sympathy for the enemy or naivety at best. Furthermore, isolationism is based on the hope that foreign States would be equally or more powerful than the U.S. to defend their own interests, instead of in support for and confidence in American might and leadership. Isolationists would look the other way, instead of proactively defending abroad against threats that would eventually threaten the American homeland. They would focus in American economic well-being while our trading partners were attacked and invaded, millions would be internally displaced or become international refugees, and the freedom of Americans to travel abroad to engage in commerce, study, religious pilgrimage, or any other valid purpose would be curtailed, all while a cloud of uncertainty would hang over the global economy that is ever-increasingly linked. Yet today – once again – isolationists on the far left and especially on the far right oppose any meaningful measures to stop the imperialism of the Russian Federation, led by a former Soviet intelligence agent who is trying to restore the Soviet Union and Russian Empire. The Russians have invaded the former Soviet Republics of Georgia and Ukraine and stationed troops in Moldova against its will, while engaging in machinations abroad, such as cyberattacks, election interference, sabotage and assassinations. They have thus attacked U.S. allies and Americans and even the American homeland itself, while Russia possesses the most nuclear warheads in the world and the missiles to strike every part of the American homeland. Just as every other time when the U.S. has been threatened, most Americans disagreed with the isolationists, although less decisively in regard to the major battles of the War on Terrorism, but at least not to the opposition to terrorism overall, but never has a presidential administration been guided by isolationists or collaborationists until now, which makes the current threat especially grave. The American people must continue to demand that Congress act to continue to defend U.S. interests, maintain American influence and exercise responsible world leadership to stop Russian aggression and defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, foreign and American.

Foreign Digest: Russia, Georgia, Botswana, Brazil and Peru

Russia: The former leader in Wales of the anti-migrant pro-Russian Reform UK Party and European Parliament Member was convicted of accepting a Russian bribe. This evidence is the latest proof of Russian interference in the politics of the United Kingdom, as well as throughout Europe and in America, especially since Russia began invading Ukraine in 2014. Another example recently revealed that many of the most-followed Trumpist accounts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), including some with tens of thousands of followers, are based abroad, including in multiple continents, even though they typically pose as Americans. About half of such accounts have been estimated to be either of Russian origin or Russian troll farms abroad. The Russian accounts spread propaganda and disinformation, and are especially associated with anti-vaccination disinformation. Russian accounts, in addition to promoting Kremlin policies, amplify Trumpists and their misleading or false statements, as well as conspiracy theories, and foment division, doubt in the integrity of elections or in the truth. Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin is an ex-Soviet intelligence officer who is trying to restore the Soviet Union and Russian Empire. Georgia: Georgians marked one year of daily peaceful protests against the pro-Russian and increasingly authoritarian Government of Georgia on November 28. There were protests in the capital and in other major cities across the former Soviet Republic in the southern Caucuses region. Georgians are demanding the release of political prisoners who were arrested for peaceful protests, and for membership in the European Union. Georgia’s Government reneged on a promise to pursue membership. Botswana: Botswana recently completed the first peaceful transfer of power since independence from the United Kingdom in 196 . The southern African State has been an oasis of peace, stability, elective representative government and liberty. But unlike neighboring States where one party has ruled through authoritarian means or rigged elections, Botswanans had elected one party for decades, which yielded power upon defeat and the certification of the votes. Botswana is now even more of a good example to other States in the Dark Continent. Brazil: Former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced last week to prison to serve out his 27-year sentence for attempting to overturn the presidential election three years ago, after he had recently attempted to escape. Peru: The former center-left Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was convicted of conspiracy for trying to dissolve Congress and rule by decree to avoid impeachment for a corruption scandal, and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He had been impeached and removed from office in 2022 for “moral incapacity” for corruption, after taking office the year before. Castillo is the fourth former Peruvian President in a little over a year and the fifth in recent decades across the political spectrum to be sentenced to prison for corruption or oppression, while others have been forced from office for corruption, such as Castillo’s center-left successor, whom I posted about a few months ago.

17th Blog Anniversary and Pageview Report

Today is the seventeenth anniversary of the launch of this blog. Thank you for following or commenting, or for your offline expressions of appreciation, which encourage me to continue to post. It coincides with the date for the annual report of pageviews, as tracked by the blog host, Blogger. Although the tracking is less specific than StatCounter’s, Blogger tracks far more pageviews. There are usually between hundreds to thousands of daily pageviews of this blog from around the world, especially outside America. Please continue to visit this blog regularly to keep up matters of interest to conservatives, especially for this particularly challenging time for the defenders of liberty and the rule of law in America.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2025!

In the tradition of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and in celebration of the federal holiday of Thanksgiving established by President George Washington, we Americans give thanks today to God for the blessings He has given us. We are grateful to the Europeans who colonized the Americas and for their friendship with the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims survive the harsh winter in the New World by teaching them agricultural practices for native plants that produced a bountiful harvest. In giving thanks publicly and in a civic manner through federal and state holidays, Americans acknowledge that their liberty comes not from man, but from God, as expressed in the American Creed in the Declaration of Independence. And like the Pilgrims and their Native American friends, we give thanks for the individual blessings we each enjoy. This year, we Americans should give thanks particularly not only for the military servicemen, intelligence and security agents, and emergency responders who keep us safe, but for the United States Constitution that formed the Union of States and safeguards our freedom and rights, and for the state Constitutions that similarly guarantee liberty. Americans should be especially grateful for federalism, the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law, and for those federal and state officials who keep their oaths not to any man, but to the federal Constitution. May God continue to bless America and every American citizen, national and permanent resident (especially those aspiring to citizenship), as well as the refugees who believe in the American Creed who are seeking asylum from persecution, and each of the American States and territories!