Featured Editorials

The Weekly Watch

Trump Obsession

Open Thread Image.jpg

Last week I made a comment that began, "I ain't a Trumpeteer but I also don't have TDS." Unfortunately it was read as if I finished the sentence with "like you". That is not what I said nor intended to imply. However I can understand their sensitivity since others have called them Trump deranged. Words in a blog are often misunderstood, however that's not really what I want to address. Down thread it was stated that accusations of TDS are intellectually lazy. I'm sure there are Trumpeteers that use TDS to defend him for all his craziness, but not to see the massive extent of an engineered psyop of "Orange man bad" is also naive. Let me explain below the fold...

OrangeManBad_web-2-1024x1024-3465167627.png

Album of the Week 4-26-25

Afternoon folks!

This week we start out with a couple of albums from blues harmonica players, Snooky Pryor and Sam Myers, followed by some serious acoustic country blues from John Jackson. After that there's Gil Scott-Heron's double album of jazz and blues from the bicentennial era. Then it's on to blues-rock with two albums featuring guitarist Peter Green, the first at his peak from his tenure in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and then a late career album from him. Finishing us up is an album of prog rock from Gentle Giant.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Saturday Open Thread - 4/26/25: Odds and Ends

Good morning, good people! I wish for everyone good health, good financial security, good air and water, and good times as the day, and as our future progresses!

It seems the judiciary is fighting for balance of power here and there, against the incessant Executive Orders and arbitrary DOGE directives, and are also being called out when they fail in their duties. The FBI arrested a Milwaukee Judge they believe hindered ICE in some detentions. We shall see. The media colors everything, so the truth comes to the fore later. I am extremely curious and concerned about the facts of what the judge did or didn't do. My life, your life, and our system is affected by this.

Friday Night Photos Auto Art: Lowrider Edition

Welcome to Friday Night Photos everyone. Your once a week break from the daily madness of the crazy world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music, or whatever else you find of interest that helps you escape the madness.

On the first weekend of this month I went to the Goodguys hot rod and custom car show at the Del Mar fairgrounds. This was the 24th year for the event and my 6th or 7th time attending. This year there was a noticeable drop in the number of cars and spectators. I don't know if the ailing economy had anything to do with it or if it was just an off year. Whatever the reason, there was still a large variety of beautiful cars and works of auto art. In tonight's FNP I highlight the Lowriders.
(NOTE: do to the decrease in the number of cars, some of these images are from 2022)

001NZ9_1086_01936.2

Open Thread - 04-25-25 - What Comes After?

Democracy in the West is withering on the vine. European political parties are jailing their opponents and banning opposition parties from elections. How soon will that happen here in the US?

Democrats put up candidates that no one voted for. Republicans fight to restrict voting rights. Does that even matter when we essentially have a uni-party anyway?

Both sides champion restricting free speech.

Government corruption is rampant and ubiquitous.

The law is used as a weapon. Does anyone really think that the Republicans wont use the same lawfare tactics to stall the function of government against the Democrats when they regain power? If so, then what good is democracy?

If democracy is on life support, what comes after?

deadjim.jpg

New York Times Email Urges More War With Trump Hate

The Morning
April 24, 2025

Good morning. The U.S. is urging Ukraine to take a deal that favors Russia. . . .

Ukraine’s concessions
Author Headshot
By German Lopez

Russia invaded Ukraine, but you wouldn’t know that from the peace negotiations. At every step, President Trump has pushed the victim to give ground, while the aggressor has given little of substance.

Pages