howardsbend.bsky.social

One week before the midterms, why aren’t Democrats talking about protecting Social Security? Seven days out, why aren’t they promising to guarantee Medicare? Why aren’t they pledging to restore the cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid? Voters need to know what Democrats will fight for.

A perfect Halloween costume for Trump….a king that requires no courage.

Trick or treat….or maybe something a little deeper.

Trump working on this year’s Halloween costume.

The press caught up with Donna Arthur, mother of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton to ask a few questions. Reporter: “What do you think of Donald Trump?” Ms. Arthur: “A liar, no good.” Reporter: “Vivek” Ms. Arthur: “A no good liar.” Reporter: “George Washington?” Ms. Arthur: “LIAR!!!!”

Time to dig up the “pee tape.” People are wondering why the U.S. is buying diesel from Russia while cutting off military intelligence from Ukraine. We need the “pee” tape. An AI-generated, video might even work better…more detail, more graphic…it would exposed Trump as the small man that he is.

I look at the protesters in France who are young (I realize the issue there is education), but they’re filled with energy and passion. I’ve been to No Kings rallies, and the average age was about 70 and singing “We Shall Overcome.” How do we bring that youth and spirit to America to make a change.

We hear of an AI apocalypse where computers take control and end the world. Recently, a Russian lab tech dropped a test tube with a pathogen killing the tech and forcing a wide quarantine. The end of humanity might not require an AI revolt. It may only require a tech, a test tube… and an “Oops.”

Angela Paxton is standing by her man, although apparently not standing next to him. “I am divorcing the lying, cheating, swindling, bribe-taking crooked politician, not his MAGA ass-kissing policies.”

Republicans are playing a game called “Clueless,” a modified version of the game Clue. Rules are: make an absurd accusation ignoring facts, then identify a culprit, a location, and a murder weapon. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), your turn - Jack Smith, in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with a hawk.

Kristi Noem was fired at DHS for spending taxpayer money on an advertising campaign featuring the image of her on horseback. Trump said he knew nothing about it. Trump is offering his own taxpayer-funded advertising campaign, featuring Donald Trump. Will Trump also claim he knew nothing about it?

I used to turn to sports as a break from the depressing news. Now, as a Phillies fan, I turn to the news for a break from the depressing sport. At least the news offers a slim chance of a positive outcome.

“Say it ain’t so, Susan Collin’s. Say it ain’t so!”

Trump: You on Truth Social? Trump:GREATEST THREE DAYS OF MY PRESIDENCY! No, wait… No, GREATEST THREE DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA! At the UN, we told the world that WE CALL THE SHOTS. GREAT meeting with Chairman Xi. Very respectful and powerful. BEST TRADE DEAL EVER. AMERICA IS GREAT AGAIN!

Welcome to the new world order.

If a tree falls on a deserted island, does it make a sound? If no national political news outlets cover a major summit, did the summit actually happen?

Trump plans to securitize D.C. Under the Ballroom will be a nuclear command center. The new Arc will house snipers and drones. The Trump Kennedy Center will have new high tech CIA data center. The Reflecting Pool will dock nuclear submarines. D.C. becomes a military base with four sports teams.

Trump has bullied our neighbors, Mexico and Canada. He has weakened our alliances with NATO. He has abandoned our commitment to Ukraine. He has ignored pleas from our Gulf allies to defend their territories. Taiwan will soon discover that our commitment to its survival has an expiration date.

MS NOW has been banned from the White House Press Corps. Undeterred, MS NOW vows to continue its obligation to cover the president 24/7, even if they have to watch him on TV like the rest of us.

After yesterday’s Fed rate increase announcement, Kevin Warsh was seen boarding an Eastern Airlines flight to El Salvador. I never realized that the Federal Reserve was tied to Homeland Security.

Trump announced that America would be returning to the Moon by 2028. So, naturally, there’s only one thing left to do: Rename the Kennedy Space Center the Trump Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy’s goal was to reach the moon by the end of the decade. Trump’s goal is to own the moon by 2028.

Trump’s plan to use the Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballots was blocked. The Postmaster General wants the USPS involved in the elections. I have a solution. Hang Trump’s mug shot in every post office alongside the “Most Wanted” posters. Finally a bipartisan solution to a problem.

Ok, forget the Kennedy Center. It is not that important.

I asked ChatGPT how these doomsday scenarios involving AI might happen. It replied: “I can explain how AI might pose a threat to humanity. However, there’s no need to focus on worst-case scenarios. I hope that answers your question.” Is there an AI survival bunker, or should I just ask ChatGPT?

Trump removed the 10% tariff on Irish whiskey. The decision followed requests from people at the Irish Open which he just attended. This should be good news in Boston. Now, let’s invite Trump to a Canadian golf tournament to solve the trade war with Canada….solving trade issues one tee at a time.

With the insight of a snail, President Trump endorsed the unification of Northern Ireland with Ireland. It’s the logic that approves Israel annexing the West Bank and Gaza, while Russia gets Ukraine. In Trump, world, self-determination means the big and armed country gets to absorb its neighbor.

Trump just promised $5,000 to each of the 12 members of the Federal Open Market Committee if they vote to cut the federal funds rate by quarter-point next week at their meeting. And if they go for a half-point cut, Trump has hinted at an even larger bonus check. Checks ($$) and balances.

Show me the money, Donald. Come on, say it, “Show me the money, $5,000.” Not later, but now. Show me the $5.000. Show me the money.

Rumors are circulating that John Fetterman’s video presentation to the Republican convention was AI-generated. I was suspicious when Fetterman showed up wearing long pants instead of his work boots and shorts. I guess AI doesn’t trust Republicans to accept Fetterman for who he really is.

It is 25 years since 9/11. Trump gave us his 25th version of his events on that day. The latest version has him at Ground Zero only to be saved by two firefighters. Next year we will learn that Trump scaled the rubble of the North Tower saving a dozens of people before the South Tower collapsed.

James Carville once said that when he dies he wants to come back as the bond market. He was implying that the bond market knows everything. The bond market cannot be manipulated by mere mortals. Bissent, who once thought of himself as smarter than the bond market, is having a rude awakening.

Bissent compared Canada to a dachshund that bothered his Shepherd. He sees diplomacy as “the big dog versus the little dog.” But Canada is like a feisty terrier: scrappy, and capable of biting the Shepherd on the nose when provoked. Size matters, but so does having teeth and using them when needed.

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris was built to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories. The Arc de Trump will commemorate America’s amazing victory over Venezuela, its continuing victories in Iran, its future victories over Greenland and and all those victories in the trade wars with the world

Yesterday, Scott Bessent blamed Ukraine for helping drive up oil prices because its drones have been hitting Russian oil facilities. That’s like blaming a passenger for the deaths on the Titanic because, after the iceberg hit, he grabbed a few life jackets for himself and his family.

How much do you think they’d pay for the new Trump one dollar coin in Canada? Is it subject to a 50% retaliatory tariff?

Trump once said he wanted to run the government like he runs his businesses. Hegseth runs the Casino Division, the crown jewel of the portfolio. He’s blown through the budget, underperformed in the field, driven morale into the basement, and turned a winner into a losing bet. Pete, you’re fired.

$600 million for a hand job….that is a big waste of taxpayers’ money.

Trump invited Russia to the G20, deciding that four years of isolation the war was enough time in the penalty box. Trump said the West could learn from Russia’s expertise in sanctions and frozen assets. Russia offered to stop selling weapons to Iran, asking only for one thing in return - Ukraine.

Canada has agreed to rename all 5 Great Lakes in spirit of accommodation with Trump and the USA.

Trump today announced that U.S. will be taking control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. Nothing says “energy independence” like commandeering 65 billion barrels of another country’s oil reserves.

The trade war with Canada continues to escalate. Trump announces a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods. Canada immediately retaliates with the nuclear option: an indefinite suspension of all Canadian bacon shipments to the United States. Negotiations are expected to resume shortly.

Canada has a weapon in the trade war with the U.S.- potash, fertilizer farmers need to grow corn and soybeans. The U.S. gets 88% of its imported potash from Canada, Canada could try a 50% export duty on potash. U.S. farmers would discover that the trade war has arrived at the fertilizer dealer.

The trade war with Canada is on. Canadian trade experts have been searching for their version of China”rare earth minerals.” They found it: Canadian hockey players. Canada can prohibit Canadian hockey players from playing for the NHL. How long before Trump calls Carney to end this trade war?

The news led with two needed “feel-good” stories. First, Prince Harry and Meghan returned to England, bringing joy to the Commonwealth and the rest of the planet. Then came the reunion of Michael Cohen and Donald Trump on a podcast. Saturday is when the news division becomes People magazine.

We don’t give Trump enough credit for his accomplishments. In 2019, the federal deficit was under $1 trillion. Determined to outdo himself, this year’s deficit is projected to top $2 trillion. When Trump promised to run the country like his businesses, we should have believed him. You’re fired.

TACO strikes again! The threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian goods have been postponed for a few more days. Apparently, Trump’s only trade strategy continues to work, at least in his small mind.