One For the Road 1776

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/donald-trump-cognitive-exams-the We’re taking a different tack with this week’s podcast.We’ll be covering a main story and concluding with short briefs about other news events that will be part of later podcasts.Main Story: President Trump and his self-reported ability to accurately complete a cognitive exam.President Trump has, like other presidents, undergonemedical exams that end up as news stories. But with Trump, he has a tendency to focus on the cognitive tests he’s taken as part of his overall medical exam. For example, after one such test, he wrote in Truth Social that he’s in “perfect” health and “aced” the test. What’s novel about Trump taking the tests and publiclyposting the results is his self-praise for passing them. What’s sad and insulting is his further use of the results as a platform to degrade and berate others. President Trump’s behavior patterns mirror his otheractions. It’s a show of bravado that he’s smarter and knows more than anyone else.Some News Stories to Watch1 The Court struck down the Louisiana voting map for racialgerrymandering. Essentially, according to the Court, you can’t gerrymander or create voting districts to ensure the equitable representation of underrepresented groups. But it’s okay to gerrymander strictly for political purposes.2 Trump as King. We’ve talked about the banners, each with apicture of Trump’s face, on public buildings.3. President Trump destroyed the White House’s East Wing onhis own volition, with the intent of building a large ballroom.4. Trump’s second term has been called the vengeance tour.5. USAID programs saved millions of lives. But estimatesindicate that over 10 million individuals may die during Trump’s presidency, because of his cuts. Notes:* https://geriatrictoolkit.missouri.edu/cog/MoCA-8.3-English-Test-2018-04.pdf

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/part-2-trump-and-hegseth-a-question The podcast is a two-part critical analysis and commentaryabout President Trump and Pete Hegseth’s role in the war with Iran. But a quick update before we begin. The Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has been fired. Thisaction and the other firings by Hegseth is beyond the norm and signals a wave of confusion at the Pentagon. This isn’t a good position to be in during a war.The current ceasefire between the US and Iran is holding,and the US is maintaining its blockade and has, among other actions, turned a number of Iranian vessels back to port. Iran has retaliated against other ships but, evidently, as long as they aren’t US flagged ships, the US is ignoring these actions.  This is an odd ceasefire and blockade. A blockade is usuallyconsidered an act of war and firing on another nation’s vessels is also typically considered a violation. In regard to the Israel and Lebanon, the ceasefire inLebanon is holding as well, despite violations.  And as stated in Part 1, it appears that the US engaged inthe conflict without appropriate consideration given to how Iran would respond to the US and Israeli attacks. This is particularly true in regard to Iran’s ability to close the Strait of Hormuz, which has international implications ranging from gas price increases to the possible shortage of fertilizer andother goods. There are also leadership issues. These range from thePresident’s overt martial inclinations and the abandonment of an earlier Iran nuclear deal. While there were shortcomings, it was a path to continued negotiations rather than starting a war. One of the reasons given for the war was the enriched uranium Iran still possesses.  As for Hegseth, he had the temerity to lecture careerofficers who have deep operational and command experience. Hegseth’s decisions also lack a moral quality and clarity. Further, the armed forces and the country have lost command experience though some of his and the Trump Administration’s decisions. And all this during a war. Finally, one can only hope that the war will end soon. Therehave been too many deaths. And while the events of the war will be part of the discussion, a critical analysis and commentary about the Trump Administration’s choices and actions will be at the forefront of our discussion. In some ways, these choices and actions transcend the war itself as they’re markers of theAdministration's ethos, or the lack thereof.

Part 2. Trump and Hegseth. A Question of Leadership & Folly. An Analysis & Commentary. Podcast, Text & Video. To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/part-2-trump-and-hegseth-a-question The podcast is a two-part critical analysis and commentary about President Trump and Pete Hegseth's role in the war with Iran. But a quick update before we begin. The Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has been fired. This action and the other firings by Hegseth is beyond the norm and signals a wave of confusion at the Pentagon. This isn't a good position to be in during a war. The current ceasefire between the US and Iran is holding, and the US is maintaining its blockade and has, among other actions, turned a number of Iranian vessels back to port. Iran has retaliated against other ships but, evidently, as long as they aren't US flagged ships, the US is ignoring these actions. This is an odd ceasefire and blockade. A blockade is usually considered an act of war and firing on another nation's vessels is also typically considered a violation. In regard to the Israel and Lebanon, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding as well, despite violations. And as stated in Part 1, it appears that the US engaged in the conflict without appropriate consideration given to how Iran would respond to the US and Israeli attacks. This is particularly true in regard to Iran's ability to close the Strait of Hormuz, which has international implications ranging from gas price increases to the possible shortage of fertilizer and other goods. There are also leadership issues. These range from the President's overt martial inclinations and the abandonment of an earlier Iran nuclear deal. While there were shortcomings, it was a path to continued negotiations rather than starting a war. One of the reasons given for the war was the enriched uranium Iran still possesses. As for Hegseth, he had the temerity to lecture career officers who have deep operational and command experience. Hegseth's decisions also lack a moral quality and clarity. Further, the armed forces and the country have lost command experience though some of his and the Trump Administration's decisions. And all this during a war. Finally, one can only hope that the war will end soon. There have been too many deaths. And while the events of the war will be part of the discussion, a critical analysis and commentary about the Trump Administration's choices and actions will be at the forefront of our discussion. In some ways, these choices and actions transcend the war itself as they're markers of the Administration's ethos, or the lack thereof. Notes; Continuation ** Lawrence, for example, adopted hit and run tactics and destroying railway lines. The goal was to tie down enemy forces, which meant they couldn't be used elsewhere. **** For information about the Trump Administration's proposed AI policy, the following document is a good roadmap, particularly as there are cites for additional information at the document's end. ENSURING A NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Executive Orders. December 11, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/eliminating-state-law-obstruction-of-national-artificial-intelligence-policy/ (9) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing, U.S. Department of War. March 13, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4434484/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-air-force-gen-da/ (10) “Zelenskyy says Ukraine is using drone expertise to help 5 countries against Iran attacks,” by Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press, PBS News. March 20, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-is-using-drone-expertise-to-help-5-countries-against-iran-attacks (11) “Ukraine strikes drone production, military support deal with Germany,” by Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and AP. Al Jazeera. April 14, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/ukraine-strikes-drone-production-deal-with-germany (12) “Pentagon unveils Drone Dominance Program with ‘Gauntlets' to rapidly expand its small UAS arsenal,” by Brandi Vincent, Defensescoop. December 2, 2025. https://defensescoop.com/2025/12/02/hegseth-drone-dominance-program-ddp-gauntlets-website-rfi/ Also, please see: “Unpacking Iran's Drone Campaign in the Gulf: Early Lessons for Future Drone Warfare,” by Kateryna Bondar, Center for Strategic and International Studies. March 10, 2026. https://www.csis.org/analysis/unpacking-irans-drone-campaign-gulf-early-lessons-future-drone-warfare (13) “As small attack drones become vital in warfare, the U.S. is trying to catch up to other countries ,” by Jay Price, WUNC News. April 17, 2026. https://www.wunc.org/military/2026-04-17/small-attack-drones-war (14) "Iran was nowhere close to a nuclear bomb, experts say,” by Dan Vergano ; edited by Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American. March 11, 2026. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/iran-was-nowhere-close-to-a-nuclear-bomb-experts-say/ (15) “Iran's Secret Outreach Highlights Trump's Challenge,” by Michael Crowley, Julian E. Barnes and Ronen Bergman, The New York Times. March 4, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/us/politics/trump-iran-intelligence-leaders.html (16) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing, U.S. Department of War. April 8, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4454648/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-air-force-gen-da/ (17) “Trump Was Watching a U.F.C. Fight in Miami While Iran Talks Collapsed,” by Katie Rogers, The New York Times. April 11, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/politics/trump-ufc-iran-war.html

PART 1 To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-text-trump-and-hegseth The podcast is a two-part critical analysis and commentaryabout President Trump and Pete Hegseth’s role in the war with Iran. It appears that the US engaged in the conflict without appropriate consideration given to how Iran would respond to the US and Israeli attacks. This is particularly true in regard to Iran’s ability to close the Tarit of Hormuz, which hasinternational implications ranging from gas price increases to the possible shortage of fertilizer and other goods. There are also leadership issues. These range from thePresident’s overt martial inclinations and the abandonment of an earlier Iran nuclear deal. While there were shortcomings, it was a path to continued negotiations rather than starting a war. One of the reasons given for the war was the enriched uranium Iran still possesses.  As for Hegseth, he had the temerity to lecture career officers who have deep operational and command experience. Hegseth’s decisions also lack a moral quality and clarity. Further, the armed forces and the country have lost command experience though some of his and the Trump Administration’sdecisions. And all this during a war. Finally, one can only hope that the war will end soon. Therehave been too many deaths. And while the events of the war will be part of the discussion, a critical analysis and commentary about the Trump Administration’s choices and actions will be at the forefront of our discussion. In some ways, these choices and actions transcend the war itself as they’re markers of theAdministration's ethos, or the lack thereof. Notes: * The assault against the Kurds was a genocide. Poison gaswas used and prisoners were tortured in Amna Suraka Prison, now a museum.  (1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump AvoidVietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. December 26, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html (2)  “United States was "likely" responsible for bombing of girls' school in Iran, per early U.S. assessment,” by Margaret Brennan, Olivia Gazis and Camilla Schick, CBS News. Updated on: March 9, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iran-war-bombing-girls-school-assessment/   (3) “U.S. and Israel launch a major attack on Iran, Trumpsays Supreme Leader Khamenei killed,” by Joe Gambrell, Associated Press, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press and Josh Boak, Associated Press, PBS News. February 28, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-and-israel-launch-a-major-attack-on-iran-trump-says-supreme-leader-khamenei-killed  Easy to say, but words with terrible implications. (4) HON Pete Hegseth. Defense Department. Secretary ofDefense. https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/4040890/hon-pete-hegseth/ (5) “Pete Hegseth Fast Facts,” by Editorial Research, CNN.Updated February 18, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/politics/pete-hegseth-fast-facts (6) ‘Could have been an email’: Officials balk at Hegseth’sgenerals meeting,’ by Jack Detsch and Leo Shane III, Politico. September 20, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/hegseth-meeting-pushback-00588181?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us (7) “Pete Hegseth had a lot to say when he summoned militaryleaders. Here are some facts and context,” by Julie Watson, Laurie Kellman and Deepth Hajela, AP News. September 30, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/military-combat-women-race-hegseth-d406029d0e0dfd52443ef8d7fcb765cb (8) “Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers FromPromotion List,” by Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Adam Entous, The New York Times. March 27, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/us/hegseth-promotion-list.html

PART 1 To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-text-trump-and-hegseth The podcast is a two-part critical analysis and commentary about President Trump and Pete Hegseth's role in the war with Iran. It appears that the US engaged in the conflict without appropriate consideration given to how Iran would respond to the US and Israeli attacks. This is particularly true in regard to Iran's ability to close the Tarit of Hormuz, which has international implications ranging from gas price increases to the possible shortage of fertilizer and other goods. There are also leadership issues. These range from the President's overt martial inclinations and the abandonment of an earlier Iran nuclear deal. While there were shortcomings, it was a path to continued negotiations rather than starting a war. One of the reasons given for the war was the enriched uranium Iran still possesses. As for Hegseth, he had the temerity to lecture career officers who have deep operational and command experience. Hegseth's decisions also lack a moral quality and clarity. Further, the armed forces and the country have lost command experience though some of his and the Trump Administration's decisions. And all this during a war. Finally, one can only hope that the war will end soon. There have been too many deaths. And while the events of the war will be part of the discussion, a critical analysis and commentary about the Trump Administration's choices and actions will be at the forefront of our discussion. In some ways, these choices and actions transcend the war itself as they're markers of the Administration's ethos, or the lack thereof. Notes: * The assault against the Kurds was a genocide. Poison gas was used and prisoners were tortured in Amna Suraka Prison, now a museum. Years later, Kurdish forces supported the US operation against ISIS. Some 11,000 fell during the fight. Yet, in 2019, Trump abandoned the Kurds as US forces pulled out of Syria. What was Trump's excuse for this action: the Kurds didn't support the US during the Normandy invasion. You just have to shake your head at this answer. (1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. December 26, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html (2)“United States was "likely" responsible for bombing of girls' school in Iran, per early U.S. assessment,” by Margaret Brennan, Olivia Gazis and Camilla Schick, CBS News. Updated on: March 9, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iran-war-bombing-girls-school-assessment/ (3) “U.S. and Israel launch a major attack on Iran, Trump says Supreme Leader Khamenei killed,” by Joe Gambrell, Associated Press, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press and Josh Boak, Associated Press, PBS News. February 28, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-and-israel-launch-a-major-attack-on-iran-trump-says-supreme-leader-khamenei-killed Easy to say, but words with terrible implications. (4) HON Pete Hegseth. Defense Department. Secretary of Defense. https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/4040890/hon-pete-hegseth/ (5) “Pete Hegseth Fast Facts,” by Editorial Research, CNN. Updated February 18, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/politics/pete-hegseth-fast-facts (6) ‘Could have been an email': Officials balk at Hegseth's generals meeting,' by Jack Detsch and Leo Shane III, Politico. September 20, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/hegseth-meeting-pushback-00588181?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us (7) “Pete Hegseth had a lot to say when he summoned military leaders. Here are some facts and context,” by Julie Watson, Laurie Kellman and Deepth Hajela, AP News. September 30, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/military-combat-women-race-hegseth-d406029d0e0dfd52443ef8d7fcb765cb (8) “Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List,” by Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Adam Entous, The New York Times. March 27, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/us/hegseth-promotion-list.html

My friends and colleagues, Liz and Bob, recorded this podcast earlier in the week. While there's talk about the most critical topic today, the war with Iran, their conversation also covers related subjects, ranging from former President Nixon to President's Trump's abhorrent threat to end the Iranian civilization, which would be tantamount to a war crime.Thanks for listening.You can find more podcasts and related information, including some of my work not yet posted on this site at:https://erm76.substack.com/

My friends and colleagues, Liz and Bob, recorded this podcast earlier in the week. While there's talk about the most critical topic today, the war with Iran, their conversation also covers related subjects, ranging from former President Nixon to President's Trump's abhorrent threat to end the Iranian civilization, which would be tantamount to a war crime. Thanks for listening. You can find more podcasts and related information, including some of my work not yet posted on other sites at: https://erm76.substack.com/

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-video-and-text-dickens-and Photo Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it wasthe age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…." These are the marvelous opening lines from “A Tale of TwoCities,” by Charles Dickens. And on the night of April 1, 2026, when President Trump started his address to the American people, the words immediately came to mind. It was the same night that the Artemis moon journey began.  If you’re a space exploration proponent, that night was,indeed, the best of times. And regardless of your position concerning the pros and cons of the space program, the Artemis launch did signal the start of our return to the moon, the human exploration of space. It’s a trek that generations of individuals before us would have wished they could have witnessed. So, despite the 50-year hiatus, we’re going back.  Now to the flip or Trump-side, the worst of times. We’veposted, over the past year, some of the Trump Administration’s acts. One of these is adding his name to the Kennedy Center. This has triggered lawsuits since this would actually require Congressional approval. But this is not unusual for Trump. He tagged his name on a new line of proposed battleships,potentially on US currency and his picture is on banners on different government buildings in Washington. To some, renaming a building is a trivial event, given theother issues swirling in Trump’s orbit. We’re in the middle of a controversial war, the Administration is trying to end birthright citizenship and Affordable Care Act policy subsidies have been eliminated, resulting in over a million policyholders dropping their insurance. In light of this human carnage, does itmatter if the Kennedy Center has a new name? I would argue yes for the same reasons that we care aboutthese other issues. We’re witnessing an assault on our culture and our history. And it’s not from an external force. It’s from within. It’s from the Administration and its legion of Senators, Representatives, political appointees and business leaders. Finally, the President’s new ballroom and the renaming ofthe Kennedy Center share a common focal point—Congressional approval is needed for either change. And as a consequence, Judge Richard J. Leon issued a preliminary injunction to halt construction of the ballroom. And while I assume the Administration will be able to appeal this decision, it portends, for Trump, the possible path the court may take in respect to the Kennedy Center. 

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-video-and-text-dickens-and Photo Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…." These are the marvelous opening lines from “A Tale of Two Cities,” by Charles Dickens. And on the night of April 1, 2026, when President Trump started his address to the American people, the words immediately came to mind. It was the same night that the Artemis moon journey began. If you're a space exploration proponent, that night was, indeed, the best of times. And regardless of your position concerning the pros and cons of the space program, the Artemis launch did signal the start of our return to the moon, the human exploration of space. It's a trek that generations of individuals before us would have wished they could have witnessed. So, despite the 50-year hiatus, we're going back. Now to the flip or Trump-side, the worst of times. We've posted, over the past year, some of the Trump Administration's acts. One of these is adding his name to the Kennedy Center. This has triggered lawsuits since this would actually require Congressional approval. But this is not unusual for Trump. He tagged his name on a new line of proposed battleships, potentially on US currency and his picture is on banners on different government buildings in Washington. To some, renaming a building is a trivial event, given the other issues swirling in Trump's orbit. We're in the middle of a controversial war, the Administration is trying to end birthright citizenship and Affordable Care Act policy subsidies have been eliminated, resulting in over a million policyholders dropping their insurance. In light of this human carnage, does it matter if the Kennedy Center has a new name? I would argue yes for the same reasons that we care about these other issues. We're witnessing an assault on our culture and our history. And it's not from an external force. It's from within. It's from the Administration and its legion of Senators, Representatives, political appointees and business leaders. Finally, the President's new ballroom and the renaming of the Kennedy Center share a common focal point—Congressional approval is needed for either change. And as a consequence, Judge Richard J. Leon issued a preliminary injunction to halt construction of the ballroom. And while I assume the Administration will be able to appeal this decision, it portends, for Trump, the possible path the court may take in respect to the Kennedy Center. Notes: A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens. From PROJECT GUTENBERG. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/98/98-h/98-h.htm (1) “Renaming the Kennedy Center for Donald and Melania Trump would violate the law that created it,” by Andrea Mitchell and Syedah Asghar, NBC News. July 28, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/renaming-kennedy-center-donald-melania-trump-violate-law-created-rcna221505 (2) “Remarks at a Dinner for the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” The American Presidency Project. May 19, 2025. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-dinner-for-the-board-trustees-the-john-f-kennedy-center-for-the-performing-arts (3) “All the Things Trump Has Put His Name and Face on as President,” by Connor Greene, Time. March 28, 2026. https://time.com/article/2026/03/27/trump-name-face-signature-currency-government-buildings-programs/ (4) “Suit asks court to force Trump administration to use 'The Kennedy Center' name,” by Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR. Updated March 27, 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/03/26/nx-s1-5762241/kennedy-center-name-lawsuit-trump#:~:text=In%20a%20statement%20emailed%20to,Democrats%20could%20oppose%20these%20efforts.%22 (5) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE UNITED STATES V. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, et al. Civil Case No. 25-4316 (RJL). https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1:2025cv04316/287645/60/0.pdf?ts=1775058865

Most folks don’t realize that your vote is about the bestthing you got in the world because it is the best thing you can use to change the world and make it better.” Woody Guthrie, in an essay to Alan Lomax, ca. November, 1940 The podcast explores some of the protest and topical songsand their writers/singers from the 1960s through to the present day. This is Part 1 of a 2-part podcast. In Part 1, Liz, Bob and I lay out the landscape of the songs and singers. Part II is a more give and take conversation.  Pete Seeger famously used the phrase “Woody’s Children” todescribe the generation of political folk singers in the 1960s who were directly inspired by the music, activism, and legacy of Woody Guthrie. And this title can be extended to the present day to those who ae protesting againstmany of the same issues we’re faced some 60+ years ago. While the Vietnam War ended in the 1970s, we’re still fighting against racism, government abuses, civil rights and poverty. So, while the world has been made over in many ways, much has also remained the same. And it’s ultimately up to us to keep the music and the activism alive.Opening photo: © MMM 1972

Most folks don't realize that your vote is about the best thing you got in the world because it is the best thing you can use to change the world and make it better.” Woody Guthrie, in an essay to Alan Lomax, ca. November, 1940 The podcast explores some of the protest and topical songs and their writers/singers from the 1960s through to the present day. This is Part 1 of a 2-part podcast. In Part 1, Liz, Bob and I lay out the landscape of the songs and singers. Part II is a more give and take conversation. Pete Seeger famously used the phrase “Woody's Children” to describe the generation of political folk singers in the 1960s who were directly inspired by the music, activism, and legacy of Woody Guthrie. And this title can be extended to the present day to those who ae protesting against many of the same issues we're faced some 60+ years ago. While the Vietnam War ended in the 1970s, we're still fighting against racism, government abuses, civil rights and poverty. So, while the world has been made over in many ways, much has also remained the same. And it's ultimately up to us to keep the music and the activism alive. Opening photo: © MMM 1972

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-some-people⁠ During a press conference with reporters in the White House,Trump was asked  why the US didn’t inform its allies about the upcoming attack against Iran. Trump answered, “We wanted surprise,” he said, with Ms. Takaichi seated nextto him. “Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? Right?” Pearl Harbor was a horrible situation. And yet, Trump madean off the cuff remark to Japan’s Prime Minister about the Pearl Harbor attack. I guess he forgot that over two-thousand Americans died, including crew membersof the USS Arizona, now a war grave and memorial. The attack also launched the US into World War II. The incident also reveals and reminded me about one of theunpleasant sides of the Trump Administration. On occasion, the President has denigrated and/or failed to honor those who fell in battle.  For example, during a 2018 service in France to commemoratethe 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Trump didn’t visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. It was raining. And even though the White House later commented that safety concerns forced Trump to cancel the visit, other world leaders were not so hindered I know there will be a number of apologists, includingRepublican politicians, who will say Trump didn’t mean anything by the Pearl Harbor remark. It was just a joke, and Trump was just being Trump. But I think one of Trump’s more questionable remarks camewhen he was asked when the war would end. Trump’s reply was, “When I feel it in my bones.”  Unbelievable. And finally, in the same general time-frame, Trump talkedabout the attack on Kharg Island, Iran’s oil export center. During his presentation, he remarked, “We may hit it a few more times just for fun.” Fun? This statement follows Trump’s line of thinking that we justcovered in this post. At a time when you’re sending the US military into harm’sway, you call this fun? It’s a disregard for the value of life and a lack of empathy for a situation that demands, at the very least, a sense of gravitas. Going down the same path, the Administration has developed avideo game construct, including internet memes, to portray the war. But what’s the reality of this situation? Someone’s kidwho’s serving in the military may be injured or possibly die. Civilians have been and are still being killed throughout the Middle East. This is the reality of war. Something Trump doesn’t seem to grasp.  Notes: **** The Magic 8 ball is a toy that has been around foryears. You ask it a question, and your answer appears on the bottom of the ball through a small window. You can actually still buy one from ebay, and I assume from other vendors as well.

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-some-people⁠ During a press conference with reporters in the White House, Trump was asked why the US didn't inform its allies about the upcoming attack against Iran. Trump answered, “We wanted surprise,” he said, with Ms. Takaichi seated next to him. “Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? Right?” Pearl Harbor was a horrible situation. And yet, Trump made an off the cuff remark to Japan's Prime Minister about the Pearl Harbor attack. I guess he forgot that over two-thousand Americans died, including crew members of the USS Arizona, now a war grave and memorial. The attack also launched the US into World War II. The incident also reveals and reminded me about one of the unpleasant sides of the Trump Administration. On occasion, the President has denigrated and/or failed to honor those who fell in battle. For example, during a 2018 service in France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Trump didn't visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. It was raining. And even though the White House later commented that safety concerns forced Trump to cancel the visit, other world leaders were not so hindered I know there will be a number of apologists, including Republican politicians, who will say Trump didn't mean anything by the Pearl Harbor remark. It was just a joke, and Trump was just being Trump. But I think one of Trump's more questionable remarks came when he was asked when the war would end. Trump's reply was, “When I feel it in my bones.” Unbelievable. And finally, in the same general time-frame, Trump talked about the attack on Kharg Island, Iran's oil export center. During his presentation, he remarked, “We may hit it a few more times just for fun.” Fun? This statement follows Trump's line of thinking that we just covered in this post. At a time when you're sending the US military into harm's way, you call this fun? It's a disregard for the value of life and a lack of empathy for a situation that demands, at the very least, a sense of gravitas. Going down the same path, the Administration has developed a video game construct, including internet memes, to portray the war. But what's the reality of this situation? Someone's kid who's serving in the military may be injured or possibly die. Civilians have been and are still being killed throughout the Middle East. This is the reality of war. Something Trump doesn't seem to grasp. Notes: **** The Magic 8 ball is a toy that has been around for years. You ask it a question, and your answer appears on the bottom of the ball through a small window. You can actually still buy one from ebay, and I assume from other vendors as well. 1. “In Japan, Trump's Pearl Harbor Joke Elicits Scorn and Dismay,” by Javier C. Hernández and Hisako Ueno, The New York Times. March 20, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/world/asia/japan-trump-pearl-harbor.html 2. Executive Order 9066: Resulting in Japanese-American Incarceration (1942). Milestone Documents. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-9066 3. “Trump's rain check on honoring Americans killed in WWI prompts backlash,” by Bill Hutchinson, ABC News. November 11, 2018. https://abcnews.com/US/trumps-rain-check-honoring-americans-killed-wwi-prompts/story?id=59119504#:~:text=But%20even%20as%20he%20spoke,(@realDonaldTrump)%20November%2011%2C%202018 (4) “Assessing Trump's Denial That He's Called Veterans ‘Losers' and ‘Suckers',” by Linda Qiu, The New Yok Times. June 10, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/06/10/us/biden-trump-election#assessing-trumps-denial-that-hes-called-veterans-losers-and-suckers (5) “Trump says war with Iran will end when ‘I feel it in my bones,' by Ryan Mancini, The Hill. – March 12, 2026. https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5783165-trump-says-war-with-iran-will-end-when-i-feel-it-in-my-bones/#:~:text=by%20Ryan%20Mancini%20%2D%2003/13,to%20five%20weeks%E2%80%9D%20or%20longer. (6) “Trump says the US may hit Iran's Kharg Island again ‘just for fun',” by Al Jazeera Staff, AP and Reuters, Al Jazeera. March 15, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/15/trump-says-us-may-hit-irans-kharg-island-again-just-for-fun#:~:text=list%201%20of%204Trump,attack%20any%20populated%20area%E2%80%9D%20there 7. Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/gravitas 8. “‘Just shocking': White House enlists SpongeBob to sell war at home,” by Guy Chazan, Financial Review. March 20, 2026. https://www.afr.com/world/middle-east/just-shocking-white-house-enlists-spongebob-to-sell-war-at-home-20260319-p5qqsy 9. “The Trump Administration Goes to War, by Any Memes Necessary,” by James Poniewozik, The New York Times. March 11,2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/arts/television/iran-war-trump-memes-social-media-videos.html

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see:⁠https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-war-with-iranThis is an update about the war in Iran. We first coveredthe war, which has also been called an “excursion” by the President, in an earlier podcast. According to President Trump, the attacks obliterated thetargets. Yet, one of the reasons given for the current war is to destroy Iran’s capability to create a nuclear weapon--a justification used for the 2025 attack. Hegseth stated that no quarter will be shown for ourenemies. This, however, is a violation of international law.As the war continues, the Administration’s lack of planningis becoming more apparent. The issue of protecting the Strait of Hormuz is a case in point.The President has also called for the people of Iran to riseup against their government.  As discussed in a prior podcast, the Iranian government is a murderous regime that has killed thousands of its own people. It’s murder on a grand scale.Yet, what support has Trump offered to the Iranian people ifthey turn against the government, as he has suggested? If the war somehow frees the people of Iran, it would be a great achievement. But the question again arises: how would you help the country move forward? We have yet to hear from the Trump Administration. But if you start a war, you should damn well know why you started it and have an end goal plan in mind.You should also know this before you send our military, oranyone, into harm’s way. Notes: **** You can download the full report from:https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/, (1) “Trump calls Iran war a 'short-term excursion' andGeorgia's special election: Morning Rundown,” by Marissa Martinez, NBC News. March 10, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-calls-iran-war-short-term-excursion-georgias-special-election-mo-rcna262658 (2) Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obliterate. Also see, for the WhiteHouse’s claim that the Iran assets were fully destroyed: Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated — and Suggestions Otherwise are Fake News, The White House. June 25, 2025.https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/06/irans-nuclear-facilities-have-been-obliterated-and-suggestions-otherwise-are-fake-news/ (3) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the JointChiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing, U.S. Department of War. March 13, 2026.https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4434484/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-air-force-gen-da/ (4) “'Not our war': U.S. allies balk at Trump's Strait ofHormuz demands,” by Alexander Smith, NBC News. March 16, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-allies-respond-trump-strait-of-hormuz-demands-nato-iran-war-rcna263650 (5) “FCC chair threatens TV networks amid Iran war coverage— but his warning rings hollow,” by Brian Stelter, CNN, March 15, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/14/media/fcc-brendan-carr-trump-iran-war-abc-nbc-cbs (6) The New Communications Technologies; fifth edition.Michael Mirabito and Barbara Morgenstern. Focal Press, 2004. (7) “Democratic lawmaker condemns Hegseth’s call for ‘noquarter’ for US enemies,” by Edward Helmore, The Guardian. March 14, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/democratic-lawmaker-condemns-hegseth-no-quarter#:~:text=Critics%20of%20Hegseth%20say%20the,crime%20in%20international%20armed%20conflicts.Also, please see: “Rule 46. Orders or Threats that No Quarter Will Be Given.” International Humanitarian Law Databases.https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule46 (8) “Trump claims US ‘way ahead of schedule’ in Iran war,”Aljazeera; News Feed. March 14, 2026.https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/3/14/trump-claims-us-way-ahead-of-schedule-in-iran  

To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-war-with-iran This is an update about the war in Iran. We first covered the war, which has also been called an “excursion” by the President, in an earlier podcast. According to President Trump, the attacks obliterated the targets. Yet, one of the reasons given for the current war is to destroy Iran's capability to create a nuclear weapon--a justification used for the 2025 attack. Secretary Hegseth, for his part, has attacked the press. This includes that reports are false and/or unpatriotic. Neither is the case. Hegseth also stated that no quarter will be shown for our enemies. This, however, is a violation of international law. As the war continues, the Administration's lack of planning is becoming more apparent. For example, other than working with Israel, it entered this engagement without assembling a coalition of other nations. The issue of protecting the Strait of Hormuz is a case in point. The lessons we should have learned from the war with Iraq also seem to have been ignored. Or maybe the question should be, has the Administration tapped this knowledge when preparing for the Iran war? The President has also called for the people of Iran to rise up against their government during the recent protests in the country. As discussed in a prior podcast, the Iranian government is a murderous regime that has killed thousands of its own people. It's murder on a grand scale. Yet, what support has Trump offered to the Iranian people if they turn against the government, as he has suggested? Without the support of ground troops, these individuals stand to be slaughtered. Trying to stoke the fire of a revolt, without providing concrete support, is potentially sending these people to their deaths—Trump should understand and care about this. On the flip side, if the war somehow frees the people of Iran, it would be a great achievement, indeed. But the question again arises: how would you help the country move forward? We have yet to hear from the Trump Administration. But if you start a war, you should damn well know why you started it and have an end goal plan in mind. You should also know this before you send our military, or anyone, into harm's way. Notes: **** You can download the full report from: https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/, (1) “Trump calls Iran war a 'short-term excursion' and Georgia's special election: Morning Rundown,” by Marissa Martinez, NBC News. March 10, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-calls-iran-war-short-term-excursion-georgias-special-election-mo-rcna262658 (2) Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obliterate. Also see, for the White House's claim that the Iran assets were fully destroyed: Iran's Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated — and Suggestions Otherwise are Fake News, The White House. June 25, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/06/irans-nuclear-facilities-have-been-obliterated-and-suggestions-otherwise-are-fake-news/ (3) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing, U.S. Department of War. March 13, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4434484/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-air-force-gen-da/ (4) “'Not our war': U.S. allies balk at Trump's Strait of Hormuz demands,” by Alexander Smith, NBC News. March 16, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-allies-respond-trump-strait-of-hormuz-demands-nato-iran-war-rcna263650 (5) “FCC chair threatens TV networks amid Iran war coverage — but his warning rings hollow,” by Brian Stelter, CNN, March 15, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/14/media/fcc-brendan-carr-trump-iran-war-abc-nbc-cbs (6) The New Communications Technologies; fifth edition. Michael Mirabito and Barbara Morgenstern. Focal Press, 2004. (7) “Democratic lawmaker condemns Hegseth's call for ‘no quarter' for US enemies,” by Edward Helmore, The Guardian. March 14, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/democratic-lawmaker-condemns-hegseth-no-quarter#:~:text=Critics%20of%20Hegseth%20say%20the,crime%20in%20international%20armed%20conflicts. Also, please see: “Rule 46. Orders or Threats that No Quarter Will Be Given.” International Humanitarian Law Databases. https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule46 (8) “Trump claims US ‘way ahead of schedule' in Iran war,” Aljazeera; News Feed. March 14, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/3/14/trump-claims-us-way-ahead-of-schedule-in-iran

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded by in 1945following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One mission was to urge fellow scientists to help shapenational and international policy. A second mission was to help the public understand what the bombings meant for humanity. These scientists anticipated that the atomic bomb would be  “only the first of many dangerous presents from thePandora’s Box of modern science….” The Bulletin focuses on three main areas: nuclear risk,climate change, and disruptive technologies. What connects these topics is a driving belief that because humans created them, we can control them.  One of the most familiar and iconic symbols of the Bulletinis its Doomsday Clock. The focus is on 12 midnight. This is the hour when the world, all of us, will be the closest to self-destruction through the use of our own technologies. Every year, depending on the state of the world, we may movecloser to or further from midnight. And in 2026, we’re closer to midnight than we’ve ever been: 85 seconds. The continued nuclear threat and climate change, for example, have moved the minute hand forward.  Why this Topic? We’re covering the Doomsday Clock for two reasons. The firstis the Clock, and its implications are affected by the Trump Administration. The second reason is that the Administration’s assaults on a free press are antithetical to a democracy, and thus, affect the clock. Silence a free press; you silence opposition. It’s kind ofOrwellian. In many ways, we’re moving toward our own Doomsday Clock,but one that may spell the death of our democracy and the birth of an authoritarian government. The oft described existential threat to democracy that we’ve heard about time and time again, during the last few election cycles, may actually be upon us.  Notes: (1). About us.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. https://thebulletin.org/about-us/ (2) ” 85 Seconds to Midnight,” Bulletin of the AtomicScientists  https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/timeline/ (3) “Trump Calls the News Media the ‘Enemy of the AmericanPeople’,” by Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times. Feb. 17, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/business/trump-calls-the-news-media-the-enemy-of-the-people.html (4) “C.I.A. Concludes That Saudi Crown Prince OrderedKhashoggi Killed,” by Julian E. Barnes, The New York Times. Nov. 16,2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/16/us/politics/cia-saudi-crown-prince-khashoggi.html (5) “Trump Berates One Reporter and Tells Another,‘ QuietPiggy’,” by Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times. Nov. 18, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/business/media/trump-reporter-khashoggi-saudis.html (6) You can find a summary of Nightfall onWikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightfall_(Asimov_novelette_and_novel) 

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded by in 1945 following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One mission was to urge fellow scientists to help shape national and international policy. A second mission was to help the public understand what the bombings meant for humanity. These scientists anticipated that the atomic bomb would be “only the first of many dangerous presents from the Pandora's Box of modern science….” The Bulletin focuses on three main areas: nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. What connects these topics is a driving belief that because humans created them, we can control them. One of the most familiar and iconic symbols of the Bulletin is its Doomsday Clock. The focus is on 12 midnight. This is the hour when the world, all of us, will be the closest to self-destruction through the use of our own technologies. Every year, depending on the state of the world, we may move closer to or further from midnight. And in 2026, we're closer to midnight than we've ever been: 85 seconds. The continued nuclear threat and climate change, for example, have moved the minute hand forward. Why this Topic? We're covering the Doomsday Clock for two reasons. The first is the Clock, and its implications are affected by the Trump Administration. The second reason is that the Administration's assaults on a free press are antithetical to a democracy, and thus, affect the clock. Silence a free press; you silence opposition. It's kind of Orwellian. In many ways, we're moving toward our own Doomsday Clock, but one that may spell the death of our democracy and the birth of an authoritarian government. The oft described existential threat to democracy that we've heard about time and time again, during the last few election cycles, may actually be upon us. Notes: (1). About us.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. https://thebulletin.org/about-us/ (2) ” 85 Seconds to Midnight,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/timeline/ (3) “Trump Calls the News Media the ‘Enemy of the American People',” by Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times. Feb. 17, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/business/trump-calls-the-news-media-the-enemy-of-the-people.html (4) “C.I.A. Concludes That Saudi Crown Prince Ordered Khashoggi Killed,” by Julian E. Barnes, The New York Times. Nov. 16, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/16/us/politics/cia-saudi-crown-prince-khashoggi.html (5) “Trump Berates One Reporter and Tells Another,‘ Quiet Piggy',” by Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times. Nov. 18, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/business/media/trump-reporter-khashoggi-saudis.html (6) You can find a summary of Nightfall on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightfall_(Asimov_novelette_and_novel)

A number of decisions by the Trump Administration define itsproclivity for military action. These decisions give context to the attack on Iran. They’re almost a path to the present conflict.And a part of this path is what can be called thechicken-hawk factor. The term describes an individual who has avoided military service but who promotes a martial or pro-fighting stance. It’s a show of bravado to the world. And there’s an assertion that the President is a chicken-hawk. One chicken-hawk assumption is that the decision to engagein hostilities may come more quickly than for someone with combat experience. It may also be repeated more often.  And while a number of presidents never served in combat, theidea of combat and war appears to engage President Trump more than most of his predecessors. It’s the bravado effect that sends our military into harm’s way without due process, and in the case of Iran, without an end plan and goal in mind. A few examples of this bravado are the attack on Venezuela,the adoption of a more martial persona and the attempt to force Denmark to cede Greenland to the US. It sets a pattern that helped lead us to the war in Iran. We’ll also cover the failed War Powers Resolution to limitthe President’s ability to engage in a war without Congressional approval, the agreement with Iran made during the Obama Administration and the confusion created by the Administration’s shifting reasons for engaging in this war.We’ll also raise a question: what do we do when the fighting stops? Other related topics are covered as well. To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-the-path-to

A number of decisions by the Trump Administration define its proclivity for military action. These decisions give context to the attack on Iran. They're almost a path to the present conflict. And a part of this path is what can be called the chicken-hawk factor. The term describes an individual who has avoided military service but who promotes a martial or pro-fighting stance. It's a show of bravado to the world. And there's an assertion that the President is a chicken-hawk. One chicken-hawk assumption is that the decision to engage in hostilities may come more quickly than for someone with combat experience. It may also be repeated more often. And while a number of presidents never served in combat, the idea of combat and war appears to engage President Trump more than most of his predecessors. It's the bravado effect that sends our military into harm's way without due process, and in the case of Iran, without an end plan and goal in mind. A few examples of this bravado are the attack on Venezuela, the adoption of a more martial persona and the attempt to force Denmark to cede Greenland to the US. It sets a pattern that helped lead us to the war in Iran. We'll also cover the failed War Powers Resolution to limit the President's ability to engage in a war without Congressional approval, the agreement with Iran made during the Obama Administration and the confusion created by the Administration's shifting reasons for engaging in this war. We'll also raise a question: what do we do when the fighting stops? Other related topics are covered as well. To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-the-path-to Notes: (1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. Dec. 26, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html. Also see: “Donald Trump's Draft Deferments: Four for College, One for Bad Feet, ‘ by Steve Eder and Dave Philipps, The New York Times. Aug. 1, 2016.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/02/us/politics/donald-trump-draft-record.html (2) “Democrat mocks Mullin for remarks on ‘smell' and ‘taste' of war: ‘Call of Duty doesn't count',” by Tara Suter, The Hill. March 3, 2026. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5765144-ryan-mullin-iran-debate/ (3) Congressional Budget Office, Re: The Costs of Using the Name “Department of War.” January 14, 2026. https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2026-01/61942-DoD-Name-Change.pdf (4) “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restores the United States Department of War,” The White House. September 5, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-restores-the-united-states-department-of-war/ (5) “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing,” US Department of War. March 2, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4418959/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/ (6) “Five Democrats Kill War Powers Resolution to Rein in Trump on Iran,” by Malcolm Ferguson, The New Republic. March 5, 2026. https://newrepublic.com/post/207425/every-democrat-killed-war-powers-resolution-trump-iran (7) “War Powers Resolution: Expedited Procedures in the House and Senate,” by Michael Greene.Congress.gov. June 24, 2025. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47603. Also, please see “Declare War Clause,” by Michael D. Ramsey and Stephen I. Vladeck, National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/articles/article-i/clauses/753 for information about the Declare War Clause. (8) “Trump's Iran Strikes Are Unconstitutional,” by Katherine Yon Ebright, Brennan Center for Justice. March 2, 2026. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trumps-iran-strikes-are-unconstitutional#:~:text=By%20acting%20unilaterally%2C%20Trump%20has%20usurped%20Congress's,strikes%20on%20Iranian%20nuclear%20facilities%20last%20June (9) “Belfer Center Experts on U.S. Withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal,” Press release from the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School. May 8, 2018. https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/belfer-center-experts-us-withdrawal-iran-nuclear-deal#:~:text=Trump's%20decision%20to%20unilaterally%20pull,into%20effect%20in%20January%202016. 10. “Trump Abandons Iran Nuclear Deal He Long Scorned,” by Mark Landler, The New York Times, May 8, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/world/middleeast/trump-iran-nuclear-deal.html (11) “Trump denies that Israel forced US's hand in launching strikes against Iran,” by Robert Tait and Chris Stein, The Guardian. March 3, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/03/trump-israel-iran-war (12) “Trump says he'll help pick Iran's leader, predicts regime change in Cuba,” by Dasha Burns, Politico. March 5, 2026. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/trump-unleashed-president-bullish-on-iran-eyeing-regime-change-in-cuba-and-impatient-with-ukraine-00814292 (13) “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing--Transcipt,” US Department of War, March 4, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4421037/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/ (14) “Leavitt, CNN's Kaitlan Collins spar over coverage of US deaths in Iran,” by Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill. March 4, 2026. https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5767376-karoline-leavitt-cnn-kaitlan-collins-iran-deaths/ (15) “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing--Transcipt,” US Department of War, March 4, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4421037/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen-dan/

When exploring climate change, we’re moving further in the realm where science is either ignored or condemned—everyone becomes an expert and all opinions have equal weight. In this universe, A no longer equals A. A can equal D, or Z for that matter, if someone deems it so.But science doesn’t care if you say that climate change is a hoax. You can say it, but then you may be condemning hundreds, thousands or millions to “reap the whirlwind” of your creation. People may get sick, suffer and/or die as the planet slowlyfails. The impact is also intergenerational. Trump has cut programs and gutted alternative energy systems, which will negatively affect our planet for multiple generations. Unlike some other decisions, it’s not waiting four years until a new administration is in office to reverse these policies. The damage is alreadydone and may not be fully reversible.  Trump has also been crowned as the Champion of Clean Coal. His promotion of coal will have short-term benefits for the industry but signal long term damage for the planet. And what of those who work in the industry? How is the TrumpAdministration looking out for them over the long term? To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠https://erm76.substack.com/p/trumps-epacoal-comfort-and-making NOTES:  (1) “AMA launching its own vaccine safety, effectiveness review system,” by Joseph Choi, The Hill. February 10, 2026.https://thehill.com/homenews/5731984-ama-rebukes-federal-vaccine/#:~:text=In%20its%20announcement%20the%20AMA,dropped%20earlier%20in%20the%20month. (2) “The Guardian: Origins of the EPA,” EPA Historical Publication-1, Spring 1992. https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/guardian-origins-epa.html (3) “Trump delivers a deadly blow to EPA’s ability to regulate climate pollution,” by  Ella Nilsen, CNN. February 12, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/12/climate/trump-repeals-epa-endangerment-finding (4) “EPA ADMINISTRATOR ZELDIN: We finally demolished the Democrat climate insanity,” by Lee Zeldin, Fox News. February 16, 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/epa-administrator-zeldin-we-finally-demolished-democrat-climate-insanity (5) “President Trump and Administrator Zeldin Deliver Single Largest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History,” by the EPA Press Office, EPA. February 12, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/president-trump-and-administrator-zeldin-deliver-single-largest-deregulatory-action-us (6) 365 WINS IN 365 DAYS: President Trump’s Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity, The White House. January 20, 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/ (7) “Biden’s oil boom. How fossil fuels thrived despite the White House's climate policies,” by Prinz Magtulis, Nichola Groom, Jarrett Renshaw and Moira Warburton, Reuters.March 28, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-BIDEN/OIL/lgpdngrgkpo/ (8) “ The Rise and Decline of Coal Mining Jobs, 1970-2022,” by Eugene M. Trisko, ACOEL.  February 8, 2024. https://acoel.org/the-rise-and-decline-of-coal-mining-jobs-1970-2022/ (9) “Do scientists agree on climate change?,” NASA, March 18, 2024. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/faq/do-scientists-agree-on-climate-change/Please note: the article is an excellent source for related data. (10) “Earth’s 10 Hottest Years on Record Are the Last 10,” by Delger Erdenesanaa, The New York Times. March 18, 2025.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/climate/global-temperatures-wmo-report.html  

When exploring climate change, we're moving further in the realm where science is either ignored or condemned—everyone becomes an expert and all opinions have equal weight. In this universe, A no longer equals A. A can equal D, or Z for that matter, if someone deems it so. But science doesn't care if you say that climate change is a hoax. You can say it, but then you may be condemning hundreds, thousands or millions to “reap the whirlwind” of your creation. People may get sick, suffer and/or die as the planet slowly fails. The impact is also intergenerational. Trump has cut programs and gutted alternative energy systems, which will negatively affect our planet for multiple generations. Unlike some other decisions, it's not waiting four years until a new administration is in office to reverse these policies. The damage is already done and may not be fully reversible. Trump has also been crowned as the Champion of Clean Coal. His promotion of coal will have short-term benefits for the industry but signal long term damage for the planet. And what of those who work in the industry? How is the Trump Administration looking out for them over the long term? To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: ⁠ https://erm76.substack.com/p/trumps-epacoal-comfort-and-making NOTES: (1) “AMA launching its own vaccine safety, effectiveness review system,” by Joseph Choi, The Hill. February 10, 2026. https://thehill.com/homenews/5731984-ama-rebukes-federal- vaccine/#:~:text=In%20its%20announcement%20the%20AMA,dropped%20earlier%20in%20the%20month. (2) “The Guardian: Origins of the EPA,” EPA Historical Publication-1, Spring 1992. https://www.epa.gov/archive/epa/aboutepa/guardian-origins-epa.html (3) “Trump delivers a deadly blow to EPA's ability to regulate climate pollution,” by Ella Nilsen, CNN. February 12, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/12/climate/trump-repeals-epa-endangerment-finding (4) “EPA ADMINISTRATOR ZELDIN: We finally demolished the Democrat climate insanity,” by Lee Zeldin, Fox News. February 16, 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/epa-administrator-zeldin-we-finally-demolished-democrat-climate-insanity (5) “President Trump and Administrator Zeldin Deliver Single Largest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History,” by the EPA Press Office, EPA. February 12, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/president-trump-and-administrator-zeldin-deliver-single-largest-deregulatory-action-us (6) 365 WINS IN 365 DAYS: President Trump's Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity, The White House. January 20, 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/01/365-wins-in-365-days-president-trumps-return-marks-new-era-of-success-prosperity/ (7) “Biden's oil boom. How fossil fuels thrived despite the White House's climate policies,” by Prinz Magtulis, Nichola Groom, Jarrett Renshaw and Moira Warburton, Reuters. March 28, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-BIDEN/OIL/lgpdngrgkpo/ (8) “ The Rise and Decline of Coal Mining Jobs, 1970-2022,” by Eugene M. Trisko, ACOEL. February 8, 2024. https://acoel.org/the-rise-and-decline-of-coal-mining-jobs-1970-2022/ (9) “Do scientists agree on climate change?,” NASA, March 18, 2024. https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/faq/do-scientists-agree-on-climate-change/ Please note: the article is an excellent source for related data. (10) “Earth's 10 Hottest Years on Record Are the Last 10,” by Delger Erdenesanaa, The New York Times. March 18, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/climate/global-temperatures-wmo-report.html

For anyone who doubts President Trump’s authoritarianleanings, look no further than the Department of Justice headquarters and its new banner with PresidentTrump’s image. It’s a declaration of political control over what should be an independent department.  While similar banners have been hung from other governmentbuildings, the one created for the DOJ is particularly concerning. Since Watergate, efforts have been made to shield the DOJ from White House interference and pressure campaigns. The Trump Administration, however, has nosuch compunctions to follow this path.  Further, if any other president in any other age hung such abanner, the public outcry would have been deafening, with criticism from both sides of the aisle. So, where is the public outrage today? There has been criticism, but not, I think, at the level this act demands. The full text for the podcast and the Notes can be found at:https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-trumpsNOTES: (1) “Trump’s New Banner Accidentally Exposes the Truth Aboutthe DOJ,” by Edith Olmsted, The New Republic. February 19,2026. https://newrepublic.com/post/206803/donald-trump-department-justice-banner-face(2) “New Trump Banner Hung on Justice DepartmentHeadquarters,” by Ashley Ahn, The New York Times. February 19,2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/us/politics/trump-banner-doj.html(3) “13 controversial redactions from the Epstein files —and what we’re learning about them,” by Aaron Blake, CNN. February11, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/09/politics/redacted-text-jeffrey-epstein-files(4) “US justice department joins lawsuit to blockCalifornia’s new electoral map,” by Lauren Gambino, The Guardian,November 12, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/13/california-electoral-map-lawsuit-justice-department#:~:text=Trump%20administration-,US%20justice%20department%20joins%20lawsuit%20to%20block%20California’s%20new%20electoral,of%20Californians%20will%20not%20stand.%E2%80%9D(5) “Presidents Can’t Use the Justice Department as TheirPersonal Law Enforcement Agency” by Lauren Miller Karalunas, BrennanCenter. February 14, 2025. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/presidents-cant-use-justice-department-their-personal-law-enforcement

This is part 2 of The Haitian Refugee Crisis. The Trump Administration, Racism and the Law. We'll be covering one of Trump's actions in 1989 concerning the Central Park 5 and how 1989's racism is still prevalent in 2026. We'll also explore how the government is trying to force hundreds of thousands of Haitians and others, under TPS protection, to leave the United States. Both Noem and Trump claim it's OK to return. Yet, our own Stated Department has issued extreme Travel Advisories for Haiti and Venezuela. We'll conclude with two key sections of Judge Reyes' stay, followed by a wrap-up and commentary. For the full text of the podcast, and Notes, please go to: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-the-772 NOTES: (6) “Central Park Five: The true story behind When They See Us,” BBC. June 12, 2019. ⁠https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48609693⁠ (7) Ibid. (8) “‘I Didn't Make a Mistake': Trump Declines to Apologize for Racist Video of Obamas,” by Erica L. Green, Isabella Kwai and Zolan Kanno-Young. The New York Times, February 7, 2026. ⁠https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/us/politics/trump-obamas-video-apes-truth-social.html⁠ (9) “Travel Advisory.” US Department of State. ⁠https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/haiti-travel-advisory.html⁠ (10) “Trump says Venezuela safe for Americans; State Dept. warns against travel, by Matthew Hay Brown, Ana Vanessa Herrero and Lori Aratani, The Washington Post, January 30, 2026. ⁠https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/30/trump-reopens-venezuela-airspace/⁠ (11) “Travel Advisory.” US Department of State. ⁠https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/venezuela-travel-advisory.html⁠ (12) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FRITZ EMMANUEL LESLY MIOT, et al., Plaintiffs, v. DONALD J. TRUMP, et al., Defendants. Case No. 25-cv-02471 (ACR). ⁠https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/02/us/haitians-tps-ruling.html

This is part 2 of The Haitian Refugee Crisis. The Trump Administration, Racism and the Law. We’ll be covering one of Trump’s actions in 1989 concerning the Central Park 5 and how 1989’s racism is still prevalent in 2026. We’ll also explore how the government is trying to force hundreds of thousands of Haitians and others, under TPS protection, to leave the United States. Both Noem and Trump claim it’s OK to return. Yet, our own Stated Department has issued extreme Travel Advisories for Haiti and Venezuela. We’ll conclude with two key sections of Judge Reyes' stay, followed by a wrap-up and commentary.For the full text of the podcast, and Notes, please go to: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-the-772NOTES:(6) “Central Park Five: The true story behind When They See Us,” BBC. June 12, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48609693(7) Ibid.(8) “‘I Didn’t Make a Mistake’: Trump Declines to Apologize for Racist Video of Obamas,” by Erica L. Green, Isabella Kwai and Zolan Kanno-Young. The New York Times, February 7, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/us/politics/trump-obamas-video-apes-truth-social.html(9) “Travel Advisory.” US Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/haiti-travel-advisory.html(10) “Trump says Venezuela safe for Americans; State Dept. warns against travel, by Matthew Hay Brown, Ana Vanessa Herrero and Lori Aratani, The Washington Post, January 30, 2026. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/30/trump-reopens-venezuela-airspace/(11) “Travel Advisory.” US Department of State. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/venezuela-travel-advisory.html(12) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FRITZ EMMANUEL LESLY MIOT, et al., Plaintiffs, v. DONALD J. TRUMP, et al., Defendants. Case No. 25-cv-02471 (ACR). https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/02/02/us/haitians-tps-ruling.html

Ana C. Reyes, a United States District Judge, ordered atemporary stay of a Trump Administration order to strip Temporary Protection Status, also known as TPS, from thousands of Haitian refugees in the United States. The TPS program was created by Congress to provide a safe and legal haven for nationals from other countries living in the United States who can't return home because of natural and-or human-made disasters, including military conflicts. And as implied by the name, it's a temporary safe harbor with an expiration date. But the Trump Administration wants to shred this legal status, to cut short the end dates, and to start mass deportations. For the Haitians, the TPS was set to expire on February 3,2026, by an order from Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security--the DHS. Through consultations with other government agencies, theSecretary is charged with making TPS designations. Or in the Trump Administration's case, how to deport hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Venezuelans and other nationals who had previously been afforded protection. This is also part of the Administration's broader plan to deport as many unprotected foreign nationals from the United States as it can through the offices of ICE and other means The full text for the podcast and the Notes can be found at:https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-the-b6a Notes used in Part 1: (1) ” LDF Sounds Alarm on Trump Administration's Attempt toReinvigorate Pseudo-Scientific Racism and Erase Black People from American History,” Legal Defense Fund. March 29, 2025.https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-sounds-alarm-on-trump-administrations-attempt-to-reinvigorate-pseudo-scientific-racism-and-erase-black-people-from-american-history/. Also, please see: “Trump Says Civil Rights Led to White People Being ‘Very Badly Treated',” by Erica L. Green, The New York Times. January 11, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trump-interview-white-people-discrimination.htmland “Bigoted beliefs, racist ties found among some of President Trump's appointees,” by Cassie Miller, Southern Poverty Law Center. March 6, 2025. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/bigoted-beliefs-racist-ties-found-among-president-trumps-appointees/ (2) “Trump Defends Comments About Immigrants ‘Poisoning theBlood' of America,” by Associated Press, VOA. December 19, 2023. https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-defends-comments-about-immigrants-poisoning-the-blood-of-america/7405198.html (3) “Trump Administration Targets Smithsonian Exhibits inControversial Review,” by Elijah Spencer, The Hilltop. August 25, 2025. https://thehilltoponline.com/2025/08/25/trump-administration-targets-smithsonian-exhibits-in-controversial-review/. The Guardian article, described in the same section, can be found at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/philadelphia-trump-adminstration-lawsuit-slavery-exhibit (4) “USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands ofdeaths,” by Karen Feldscher, Harvard School of Public Health. November 20, 2025. https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-shutdown-has-led-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-deaths/ (5) “The Charlottesville rally 5 years later: 'It's whatyou're still trying to forget,' by Debbie Elliot, NPR. August 12, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/08/12/1116942725/the-charlottesville-rally-5-years-later-its-what-youre-still-trying-to-forget

Ana C. Reyes, a United States District Judge, ordered atemporary stay of a Trump Administration order to strip Temporary Protection Status, also known as TPS, from thousands of Haitian refugees in the United States. The TPS program was created by Congress to provide a safe and legal haven for nationals from other countries living in the United States who can’t return home because of natural and-or human-made disasters, including military conflicts. And as implied by the name, it’s a temporary safe harbor with an expiration date. But the Trump Administration wants to shred this legal status, to cut short the end dates, and to start mass deportations.  For the Haitians, the TPS was set to expire on February 3,2026, by an order from Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security--the DHS. Through consultations with other government agencies, theSecretary is charged with making TPS designations. Or in the Trump Administration’s case, how to deport hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Venezuelans and other nationals who had previously been afforded protection.This is also part of the Administration’s broader plan to deport as many unprotected foreign nationals from the United States as it can through the offices of ICE and other means The full text for the podcast and the Notes can be found at:https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-the-b6a  Notes used in Part 1:  (1) ” LDF Sounds Alarm on Trump Administration’s Attempt toReinvigorate Pseudo-Scientific Racism and Erase Black People from American History,” Legal Defense Fund. March 29, 2025.https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/ldf-sounds-alarm-on-trump-administrations-attempt-to-reinvigorate-pseudo-scientific-racism-and-erase-black-people-from-american-history/. Also, please see: “Trump Says Civil Rights Led to White People Being ‘Very Badly Treated’,” by Erica L. Green, The New York Times. January 11, 2026.   https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trump-interview-white-people-discrimination.htmland “Bigoted beliefs, racist ties found among some of President Trump’s appointees,” by Cassie Miller, Southern Poverty Law Center. March 6, 2025. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/bigoted-beliefs-racist-ties-found-among-president-trumps-appointees/ (2) “Trump Defends Comments About Immigrants ‘Poisoning theBlood’ of America,” by Associated Press, VOA. December 19, 2023.   https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-defends-comments-about-immigrants-poisoning-the-blood-of-america/7405198.html (3) “Trump Administration Targets Smithsonian Exhibits inControversial Review,” by Elijah Spencer, The Hilltop. August 25, 2025. https://thehilltoponline.com/2025/08/25/trump-administration-targets-smithsonian-exhibits-in-controversial-review/. The Guardian article, described in the same section, can be found at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/philadelphia-trump-adminstration-lawsuit-slavery-exhibit (4) “USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands ofdeaths,” by Karen Feldscher, Harvard School of Public Health. November 20, 2025.  https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-shutdown-has-led-to-hundreds-of-thousands-of-deaths/ (5) “The Charlottesville rally 5 years later: 'It's whatyou're still trying to forget,’ by Debbie Elliot, NPR. August 12, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/08/12/1116942725/the-charlottesville-rally-5-years-later-its-what-youre-still-trying-to-forget

President Trump announced a new class of battleship, the“Trump” class. It’s interesting, given this is the president who avoided the draft through a questionable medical situation, bone spurs. But this new identification with a battleship is a quintessential chickenhawk maneuver. According to Trump, each ship will be the largest battleshipin the history of our country, the largest battleship in the history of the world, ever built. Not exactly, and Trump’s claim is unfounded. The new ships are impressive, but so too arethe old Iowa class battleships. The building of the new ships also raises questions, thatwe'll cover in the podcast. And the Notes for the podcast are listed below. You can alsofind the full text for the podcast at the substack site: https://erm76.substack.com/p/trump-battleships-and-greenlandoh Notes: (1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump AvoidVietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. Dec. 26, 2018.https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html  (2) Merriam-Webster.https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken%20hawk  (3) “Trump announcesnew “Trump class” of Navy battleships,” by Kathryn Watson, CBS News. December22, 2025.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-hegseth-announcement-mar-a-lago-shipbuilding/  (4) “Plans unveiledfor US largest battleships, triple the size of Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,”by Fatima Bahtić, NavalToday.com. December 23, 2025.https://www.navaltoday.com/2025/12/23/plans-unveiled-for-us-largest-battleships-triple-the-size-of-arleigh-burke-class-destroyer/  (5) “BattleshipMissouri Memorial.” Ship Characteristics.https://ussmissouri.org/history/the-ship/ship-characteristics  Please note: Anotherdifference between the older and newer ships besides weaponry and electronics, is the Iowa class battleships were heavily armored. This accounts for some of the weight differential. And both the Missouri and the New Jersey, anotherWorld War II battleships, were modernized and served after World War II in other conflicts before being decommissioned/retired.  (6),” Golden Fleet.US Navy.” https://www.goldenfleet.navy.mil/ Also, please see: “Trump-Class Battleship: Railguns,Hypersonic Missiles and 40,000 Tons of Raw U.S. Navy Power,” by Stephen Silver, 19FortyFive. 12/22/25.https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/trump-class-battleship-railguns-hypersonic-missiles-and-40000-tons-of-raw-u-s-navy-power/#:~:text=Experts%20Are%20Skeptical&text=Iowa%2DClass%20Battleship.,a%20cool%2Dlooking%20ship.%E2%80%9D  Please note: The new ships would have an edge in a power projection situation. But what country is the US going to try to overawe? And is the cost for this factor justified? (7) “An Overview of Current U.S. Hypersonic MissileDevelopments,” by Lauren Estrada, Defense and Security Monitor. December 22, 2025.https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2025/12/22/an-overview-of-current-u-s-hypersonic- (8) “The Golden Fleet’s Battleship Will Never Sail,”Commentary by Mark F. Cancian, Center for Strategic & InternationalStudies. December 23, 2025.https://www.csis.org/analysis/golden-fleets-battleship-will-never-sail#:~:text=That%20would%20imply%20a%20battleship,much%20as%20an%20aircraft%20carrier.

President Trump announced a new class of battleship, the “Trump” class. It's interesting, given this is the president who avoided the draft through a questionable medical situation, bone spurs. But this new identification with a battleship is a quintessential chickenhawk maneuver. According to Trump, each ship will be the largest battleship in the history of our country, the largest battleship in the history of the world, ever built. Not exactly, and Trump's claim is unfounded. The new ships are impressive, but so too are the old Iowa class battleships. The building of the new ships also raises questions, that we'll cover in the podcast. And the Notes for the podcast are listed below. You can also find the full text for the podcast at the substack site: https://erm76.substack.com/p/trump-battleships-and-greenlandoh Notes: (1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. Dec. 26, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html (2) Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken%20hawk (3) “Trump announces new “Trump class” of Navy battleships,” by Kathryn Watson, CBS News. December 22, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-hegseth-announcement-mar-a-lago-shipbuilding/ (4) “Plans unveiled for US largest battleships, triple the size of Arleigh Burke-class destroyer,” by Fatima Bahtić, NavalToday.com. December 23, 2025. https://www.navaltoday.com/2025/12/23/plans-unveiled-for-us-largest-battleships-triple-the-size-of-arleigh-burke-class-destroyer/ (5) “Battleship Missouri Memorial.” Ship Characteristics. https://ussmissouri.org/history/the-ship/ship-characteristics Please note: Another difference between the older and newer ships besides weaponry and electronics, is the Iowa class battleships were heavily armored. This accounts for some of the weight differential. And both the Missouri and the New Jersey, another World War II battleships, were modernized and served after World War II in other conflicts before being decommissioned/retired. (6),” Golden Fleet. US Navy.” https://www.goldenfleet.navy.mil/ Also, please see: “Trump-Class Battleship: Railguns, Hypersonic Missiles and 40,000 Tons of Raw U.S. Navy Power,” by Stephen Silver, 19FortyFive. 12/22/25. https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/12/trump-class-battleship-railguns-hypersonic-missiles-and-40000-tons-of-raw-u-s-navy-power/#:~:text=Experts%20Are%20Skeptical&text=Iowa%2DClass%20Battleship.,a%20cool%2Dlooking%20ship.%E2%80%9D Please note: The new ships would have an edge in a power projection situation. But what country is the US going to try to overawe? And is the cost for this factor justified? (7) “An Overview of Current U.S. Hypersonic Missile Developments,” by Lauren Estrada, Defense and Security Monitor. December 22, 2025. https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2025/12/22/an-overview-of-current-u-s-hypersonic- (8) “The Golden Fleet's Battleship Will Never Sail,” Commentary by Mark F. Cancian, Center for Strategic & International Studies. December 23, 2025. https://www.csis.org/analysis/golden-fleets-battleship-will-never-sail#:~:text=That%20would%20imply%20a%20battleship,much%20as%20an%20aircraft%20carrier.

The Trump Administration has managed to pillage and plunder the American ethos in less than a year. The goal? The President wants to redefine it in his own image. And the damage created by Trump's assault may take years to repair. In some cases, it may be beyond saving. For example, can you remove the river of gold paint in the White House without damaging the underlying structures? While a paint issue obviously doesn't equal the other decisions that may directly affect someone's life, it makes a point. The White House is supposed to be our house…the people's house. But given how Trump has remade it to fit his perception, particularly the destruction of the East Wing to make way for a ballroom, we can't turn the page back to restore the building. This is a podcast of an original post: https://erm76.substack.com/p/the-plundering-of-the-american-ethos The Notes are listed on the same site and are listed below. (1) BUCK v. BELL(1927). No. 292. Argued: April 22, 1927 Decided: May 02, 1927. ⁠https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-supreme-court/274/200.html⁠ (2) “10 key numbers that sum up Trump's first 100 days,” by Rachel Treisman, NPR. April 29, 2025.⁠ https://www.npr.org/2025/04/29/nx-s1-5379554/trump-100-days-numbers-laws-immigration⁠ (3) “Are Trump's Actions Truly Unprecedented? We Asked 35 Historians,” by Francesca Paris, Alicia Parlapiano and Josh Katz, The New York Times. April 30, 2025. ⁠https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/30/upshot/presidential-history-survey.ht⁠

J'Accuse is Émile Zola's famous 1898 open letter to the President of the French Republic in defense of Alfred Dreyfus, a French army officer who was accused of spying for Germany. The incident blew up in to a political scandal, and the military's general staff used Dreyfus as a scapegoat. Dreyfus was also Jewish, and this contributed to his being targeted for the accusation. We briefly explored the Dreyfus situation in a July 04, 2025 podcast, and it seems appropriate to recall Zola's words, today, as we continue to face challenges from the Trump Administration. This is also the first of a two-part look at the Trump Administration's Minneapolis and related ICE operations. Part 1 covers particular incidents that have and are taking place in Minneapolis. It also explores the Portland operation in regard to the legal issues that are playing out in Minneapolis. Part 2 will continue and update the situation. The full text and Notes can be found at: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-jaccuse NOTES (1) “Who was Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed by ICE?,”by Tiffany Wertheimer, BBC. January 13, 2026. ⁠https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jepdjy256o⁠.Also please see: “F.B.I. Agent Who Tried to Investigate ICE Officer in ShootingResigns,” by Alan Feuer and Glenn Thrush, The New York Times. January23, 2026. ⁠https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/politics/fbi-agent-ice-shooting-renee-good.html⁠Based on the Times report, “An F.B.I. agent who sought to investigatethe federal immigration officer who fatally shot a 37-year-old woman inMinneapolis this month has resigned from the bureau, according to two peoplefamiliar with the matter. The agent, Tracee Mergen, left her job as a supervisor inthe F.B.I.'s Minneapolis field office after bureau leadership in Washingtonpressured her to discontinue a civil rights inquiry into the immigrationofficer, Jonathan Ross, according to one of the people. Such inquiries are acommon investigative step in similar shootings.” (2) “The Insurrection Act, Explained,” by Joseph Nunn andElizabeth Goitei, The Brennan Center. April 21, 2022. ⁠https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insurrection-act-explained⁠ (3) Truth Social. Sep 27, 2025, 10:19AMhttps://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115276694936263266. (4) Black's Law Dictionary. (12th ed., 2024). (5) IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OFOREGON. Case No. 3:25-cv-1756-IM. TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ord.189270/gov.uscourts.ord.189270.56.1_2.pdf (6) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA. CASE0:25-cv-04669-KMM-DTS Doc. 85 Filed 01/16/26. https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/minnesota/mndce/0:2025cv04669/229758/85/0.pdf (7) UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUITNo: 26-1105. Appeal from U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.(0:25-cv-04669-KMM). https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca8.113629/gov.uscourts.ca8.113629.00805436077.0_2.pdf

President Trump met with European leaders in Davos,Switzerland, this week. It was an economic meeting with a broad-based agenda, including climate change and other global issues. Politics run deep, and thisis particularly true this year in light of Trump's potential actions, ranging from the taking of Greenland to attacking and then complimenting NATO. And let's add a diatribe against Switzerland, and in a subsequent meeting with SwissPresident Guy Parmelin, praising the Swiss for making high-quality watches. It sounded like the ultimate non-compliment compliment. THE FULL TEXT/NOTES CAN BE FOUND AT: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-the The Notes for the quotes are: (1) “The Most Startling Line From Trump's Davos Speech,” byPhilip Elliot, Time. January 21, 2026. https://time.com/7355488/trump-davos-speech-takeaways-analysis/?itm_source=parsely-api (2) “75th Anniversary Of The Munich Agreement,” RadioFreeEurope;RadioLiberty. September 26, 2013. (3) “October 5, 1938. House of Commons.” Speech byWinston Churchill. International Churchill Society. https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1930-1938-the-wilderness/the-munich-agreement/ (4) “After Trump's Ultimatum, Greenland Talks IncludeSovereign U.S. Bases, No Drilling for Russia,” by Jim Tankersley, Lara Jakesand Adam Goldman,” The New York Times, January 22, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/world/europe/trump-greenland-deal-framework.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20260122&instance_id=169697&nl=breaking-news®i_id=57657450&segment_id=214081&user_id=423e5e0514430d734c860e2b14f2b4d7 (5) “Trump Says “Sometimes You Need a Dictator” AfterAlarming Davos Speech,” by Malcolm Ferguson, The New Republic. January21, 2026. https://newrepublic.com/post/205508/trump-sometimes-you-need-dictator-davos-speech (6) Truth Social. January 11, 2026. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115879509461234235 (7) Czechoslovakia had some of Europe's biggest armsfactories.

This is a two-part post.The first explores President Trump’s January 17, 2026, Truth Social post about Greenland. It’s a mix of inaccurate statements and the levying of new tariffs.Organizationally, a section of the Truth Social post is listed, followed by a quick analysis of that section. The Analyses are so-noted.The second part is an unpacking of the Greenland situation and where the United States and Europe stand in this matter.-----------------------------------------To read the full text of the podcast and the links to thequoted materials, please see: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-full-text-episode-greenlandagain-------------------------------------------------Quoted Materials(1) Truth Social post, Donald Trump. January 17, 2025.https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115911344443637897(2) “Trump considers punishing countries with tariffs ifthey don’t back U.S. takeover of Greenland,” PBS News, PBS. January 16, 2026.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-considers-punishing-countries-with-tariffs-if-they-dont-back-u-s-takeover-of-greenland(3) Ibid.(4) “Rubio says Trump wants to buy Greenland while WhiteHouse dangles military option,” by Mariam Khan, Benjamin Siegel, AllisonPecorin, and Jay O’Brien, ABC News. January 7, 2026.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rubio-trump-buy-greenland-trump-push-military-option/story?id=128994685#:~:text=Interest%20Successfully%20Added-,Rubio%20says%20Trump%20wants%20to%20buy%20Greenland%20while%20White%20House,Greenland%2C%20White%20House%20official%20says(5) “I don’t see it with Canada,” but “something couldhappen with Greenland,” by Kaia Hubbard, CBS News. May 4, 2025.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-greenland-military-force-canada/ 

Originally recorded on January 13, 2026.Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is set to meet with President Trump at the White House this week. Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025. This is the prize that Trump believes he deserves. These actions have taken place today.More information, including the references for the quotes, can be found at: https://erm76.substack.com/p/a-nobel-prize-by-any-other-name-why

Five Republican Senators, including Josh Hawley and Todd Young, initially joined with Democrats in supporting a measure that would limit President Trump’s war powers in Venezuela—Trump would have to seek Congressional approval before he took additional actions. But Hawley and Young backed-out; the bill was defeated.For additional information, including the reference for the quote, please see: https://erm76.substack.com/p/josh-hawleywhats-old-is-new-again

The Trump Administration and a number of politicians have forgotten a simple idea: they're citizens just like us. And as such, we all have certain rights. The Trump Administration, in particular, thinks it can do whatever it wants to do. It can't.