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I love drawing seagulls. While walking on a beach yesterday, I saw pigeons roaming amongst the seagulls. What do the gulls think about pigeons crashing their party? Do they get along? Pigeons are nothing if not opportunistic, but then so are seagulls.
Usually on Fridays I don’t write about news unless its breaking stuff. It’s the summertime, and I sense you all may want a break, as do I. But here are just a few things that I have been reading about and want to share with you before you relax into your weekend. Will start with some good news:
Trump and his cronies have been forced to withdraw the subpoenas they issued recently to NY Times journalists over reporting on Trump’s beloved Qatar gift of a large plane. This happened after a federal judge grilled DOJ lawyers for nearly an hour over their handling of the subpoenas. The subpoenas were an unprecidented effort to intimidate its reporters and as soon as they were issued, there was a huge outcry from many corners.
Why is Trump imposing more tarrifs on more countries suddenly? Twelve, to be precise. I love that the Times uses the word “brinkmanship” when describing Trump’s behavior here: “He is continuing his trade brinkmanship.” I looked it up to be sure I understood its meaning:
“the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, especially in politics.”
This is Trump. But why? These tarrifs will raise costs for Americans and further hurt his chances in the midterms. It appears to be a meaningless show of power to the globe— or so he thinks—when in fact, it just seems crazy mean.
This war that Trump started with Iran is about ego, and was started as such. Trump, Rubio and Hegseth won’t stop because, simply put, they are pissed off that Iran (yes, a really bad actor) won’t do what they say. Rubio said Iranian policy is “an eye for an eye” and added: “The president’s policy is a head for an eye. I mean, honestly, that’s what it’s going to be. I mean, they will pay a very heavy price for the things they do.” US strikes persist after Iran rejected the latest US peace proposal.
Trump’s War is another Vietnam War. It’s never-ending and is straining Americans and Iranians, causing economic hardship for people in both countries, death in both countries. It just hurts my heart that we are doing this, and I worry that Trump will do something really crazy, he is so angry they won’t bend to his will. He is an aging narcissist with incredible power who is used to getting his way.
When will he explode?
Trump tried to get a civilian nuclear program deal agreement for Saudi Arabia. But the whole thing may be in jeopardy because Trump asked for a position of normalization with Israel. Saudi Arabia has consistently said it will not do that unless there is a clear path for statehood for Palestine. If this deal falls through, Saudi Arabia will go seek other countries with nuclear industries, such as China, Russia, South Korea, the UAE or France. I shudder when I see any deals with MbS, who was found by US intelligence to have ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Yesterday, the NY Times reported that the number of US troop deaths suddenly appears lower on the Pentagon website. Three military officials and a Pentagon spokesman gave conflicting explanations for why the number of Americans killed in the Iran war had changed.
Hegseth is hiding things. Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee asked Hegseth on to provide “a full and accurate accounting” of all U.S. troops killed or wounded in the Iran war. “The information currently available to the public suggests that the department has not consistently provided timely and comprehensive public casualty reporting throughout the conflict,” Senator Hirono said in a letter also signed by 11 other Democrats.
I hope you have a lovely Friday, thanks for being here, as always. Your support helps keep me going, and you give me hope!
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