Live and In Person: The WP in Israel

Einav Zanguaker reunited
 with her son,Matan 

It’s hard to know where to begin this week...or not. So, let’s start with the obvious: I am coming to you live and in person from Herzliya, Israel. There was a wedding involved, and the need for some time away from Minnesota. So while the trip was planned several months ago, the timing could not be more auspicious. I arrived 2 days after the release of the live hostages, and now, I am watching reports of body repatriation slowly move forward. We see pictures of the live hostages reuniting with families and friends, and the burial of those who were kept as gruesome trophies. We are painfully aware that the process of returning to some new normal for all the families will not be easy, smooth, or without serious therapy. These live hostages have been subjected to physical and psychological torture. They have weathered the emotional and bodily abuse we can not dare to imagine. Some were told their families were dead...when in fact they were not...while others were told the opposite. Some believed they would come home to wives and children that had been murdered on October 7th, 2023.  

Danny Miran removes his
son's picture from display at
Ben Gurion Airport

Yet, these incredibly resilient people survived. Their paths forward will be their own journeys. They will learn how the world turned against Israel, Jews, and even the hostages themselves. They'll eventually catch up with the news only to learn the victims had been cast in the roles of the aggressors. But for the members of Be'eri, Nir Oz, and K'far Aza, places that had reasonably good relations with their neighbors in Gaza, places that supported peace outreach and cooperation, learning those neighbors invaded across the border with intimate knowledge of the town layouts in order to kill them all, their roads will be even harder to traverse. The best the rest of us can do is to be active, articulate witnesses to the cruel, bullshit that is Hamas. 

And from the lest we forget department: a guy Mohammed Nazzal spoke to Reuters

DOHA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Hamas intends to maintain security control in Gaza during an interim period, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, adding he could not commit to the group disarming - positions that reflect the difficulties facing U.S. plans to secure an end to the war.
 
Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal also said the group was ready for a ceasefire of up to five years to rebuild devastated Gaza, with guarantees for what happens afterwards depending on Palestinians being given "horizons and hope" for statehood.
 
Speaking to Reuters in an interview from Doha, where Hamas politicians have long resided, Nazzal defended the group's crackdown in Gaza, where it carried out public executions on Monday. There were always "exceptional measures" during war and those executed were criminals guilty of killing, he said. 

PRESSURE TO DISARM 

While Hamas has broadly expressed these views before, the timing of Nazzal's comments demonstrates the major obstacles obstructing efforts to cement a full end to the war in Gaza, days after the first phase of the ceasefire was agreed.

They point to big gaps between Hamas' positions and U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, ahead of negotiations expected to address Hamas' weapons and how Gaza is governed. 

I particularly enjoyed the line:

...a ceasefire of up to five years to rebuild devastated Gaza, with guarantees for what happens afterwards depending on Palestinians being given "horizons and hope"

If you need a translation, allow me to clarify: Hamas remains active in Gaza. The ceasefire will last UP TO five years...which means they can resume their efforts to attack Israel without fear of any condemnation after that time. Horizons and hope = the complete destruction of Israel and the "removal of all Jews and others" from the river to the sea. And executions of their own citizens in the public square. In other words, it's back to business as usual.

So, if you're delusional enough to believe President Felon delivered some kind of lasting peace deal that would guarantee Israel's safety, there's this bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you at a bargain price. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch..........

Yesterday was No Kings Day and by all counts, it was pretty successful. According to Strength In Numbers, an independent, data-driven analysis of politics, public opinion, and elections to be found on Substack, the numbers are pretty impressive.

Strength In Numbers partnered with independent Atlanta-based science newsroom The Xylom on Oct. 18, 2025, to produce a crowdsourced estimate of turnout for the second “No Kings Day” protests held around the country. This follows our first attempt at crowdsourced crowd-counting for the first protests held in June.

Our median estimate is that 5.2 million people participated in a No Kings Day demonstration somewhere in the country on Saturday, with an upper bound of 8.2 million people. We provide an “estimate” and not a “count” because we are making predictions of turnout in protest sites where official records are still missing.

Our estimate is based on reports from local officials, local organizers, and attendees, and suggests the count from organizers — who report 7 million participants nationwide — may be a bit optimistic (but is not impossible). Still, regardless of whether the precise number is 5, 6, 7, or 8 million, Saturday’s events are very likely the biggest single-day protest event since 1970, surpassing even the 2017 Women’s March demonstrations against Trump.

The protests come as Donald Trump’s approval rating hit a new low last week, and as Democrats look likely to win upcoming races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia.

The photos you can find online are also pretty impressive. As is the spreadsheet they produced. That alone is worth seeing so you can check your own city. Even MAGA strongholds filled their public squares. People are upset and they are, indeed, taking to the streets. Can tiki torches and pitchforks be far behind? 

Of course, our Man-Who-Would-Be-King-in-Chief, had to post the most childish, idiotic video in support of his coronation on Bullshit Social.

Sir Bedbug's version

That said, seems we already have a king...according to JD Vance's official page on via Bluesky . I cannot pretend to fathom what prompted Vice President Bedbug to post such a ridiculous clip. I guess it just wasn't enough that his boss dumped shit all over protesters. Nope; he had to come out in support of this charade. Sir Bedbug certainly has expectations of heirdom, although I cannot understand why. What does he think he's gonna be? Clown Prince? The three stooges are way ahead of him in the lineup. The best he can hope for is evil prime henchman or maybe court jester. Hard to say. 

Look, it keeps coming back to the same thing: when Hamas tells you their final solution is the total annihilation of Israel and its Jewish population, you have to believe them. I mean, how many times do we have to go through this before we do? Same thing with President Felon. He keeps telling us he has no intention of leaving the Oval Office....especially after he decorated it with all that cheesy gold plastic...even if he has to suspend the midterms and/or the Constitution. Ever hear the phrase shadow docket? If you haven't, you soon will. 

The government shut-down is already hitting thousands in their wallets, and not just federal workers. The Speaker's refusal to recall the House is nothing but a hostage maneuver against the most at-risk portions of the population. When are President Felon's loyal minions gonna figure out they're left holding a very empty bag with no meds, no food, no heat, no roof, and no hope? But hey! This is their choice, right? You elect the government you deserve. 

Question: do you think the Nobel committee takes into account what he's doing here? Just wondering if destroying your own economy impacts your deservedness for getting the peace prize. 

The bride and groom

But rather than leave you all on this dreadfully depressing note, I will tell you there is nothing like a modern Israeli wedding for group dancing, screamingly funny skits, and overall good times. The groom's friends did a wonderful send-up of him and I can't remember laughing that hard at any wedding. There were wonderful speeches, heartfelt hugs...and a general sense of relief that the hostages were home. There was something special about families coming together to celebrate knowing other families had been reunited. 

Yes, everything has been impacted by the hostages, and weddings are no exception. This one might have just been that much more lighthearted because this is Israel and for the moment, we are all breathing a little bit easier. No one takes those moments lightly; they are cherished. 

On an odd note: the wedding was held in Yafo, and as luck would have it, the rooftop venue overlooked the Yafo Stairs. The stairs haven't changed a bit.....but I am afraid I have.

   1969                                        2025                        

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

If you happen to be in Tel Aviv and want a great dinner,

visit CLARO;TLV. 

You will not be disappointed@

And then there were NONE.

There is no other way to begin this blog other than 

THE HOSTAGES ARE HOME

Only 4 of the 28 dead hostages were returned, already breaking the agreement Hamas signed while 24 bodies remain in Gaza. This is a serious breach of the pending agreement. Not that I believe they will live up to their part of the agreement. I can't see Hamas disarming and disappearing into the rubble. 

Well, I’m pretty much packed and the suitcase still closes. This is a good thing. I even weighed the sucker Fearing that I was overweight, but not even close. Only 41 pounds when I am allotted 70 per bag. I can deal with that. I have everything I need, and lots of stuff my friend needs ready to go. And swag for the kiddos: Twins and Viking togs. Hey! These are still Minnesotans even if they're in Herzliya! 

A Grandma, an Aunty, and
another Grandma

The high point of the Pre-departure week was a day trip with Two Grandmas, an Aunty, and a Savta. Every year we manage to have a shpatzir Where we go someplace off the beaten track. This year it was to Scandia, a tiny town north of the Twin Cities. They have the most charming museum there dedicated to Swedish immigrants  called Gammelgården. It’s a lovely little place and definitely worth visiting if you have the time. 

Jason Moldan

We also went to Marine on the St. Croix in search of the chocolate shop. No kidding, this place is amazing. This is not your run-of-the-mill, Mass produced chocolate like you see it malls, and places like that. Nope, This store was originally started by two sisters who recently retired and sold it to a charming man named Jason Moldan, a master  chocolatier who will carry forward the dream of the two sisters. We met Jason while we were Sitting at a little bistro table outside the shop moaning over the deliciousness of his confections because he stopped to ask if we liked them! We strongly urge him to go into the shop and have some and he laughed and said “no, actually I make them.” Jason was delightful and I’m so glad we had a chance to visit with him a bit before we had to leave for home. If you find yourself in Marine on the St. Croix, make you St. Croix Chocolate Company  

As for things not on my bingo card this week: my Apple Watch was acting weird, and I ended up having to replace that this morning. Granted, it was already three years old and probably needed a new battery, but the battery level was 84% not 83%,the threshold for them to fix it and even then, it would have to be sent out for repair. All things considered I didn’t really feel like flying a whole lot of hours on a watch that only held a charge for four of those hours. I will say that the experience in the Apple Store was as unique as usual. The store opened at 11 AM, And when I walked in at 11:05 it was already crowded. That said the appointment at the genius bar to determine whether or not the watch could be repaired was smooth as glass. Yeah, yeah I know it’s apple but having worked in retail for a long time, they do it right.

As I get ready to leave for Israel on Tuesday morning...to a place where there might actually be a bit of peace, I have to state my belief that this is not some sort of panacea or even a real resolution, Maybe, if we're real lucky, it’s a beginning. The Palestinian leadership has never kept their word before, so it's a stretch to believe they will do it now. Keep in mind Hezbollah and Iran are not a part of this deal, so there is little reason to believe they will stop lobbing missiles at Israel and give the IDF time to figure out how to stop the next incursion because knowing Hamas, it will happen.

Look, this is not unreasonable thinking. Part of me has been confronting the horrors of terrorism and mass murder since I was a kid. I cannot remember a time when I did not worry that someone would rise to power and come after us. All those artists and celebrities screaming for a ceasefire and Free Palestine are silent now. They have forgotten that this is not fantasyland for us. They chant their ridiculous slogans but once there is a ceasefire, where are their voices? Are they raising capital to help rebuild the cities or raising investment capital to develop a Palestinian economy? If that doesn't change, what makes you think Hamas won't be back to say, We told you so ? And let's watch as the chants for our destruction begin anew.

I am pretty sure we will go to the Nova Festival site. It's not exactly something I want to do, but it must be done. Much like visiting the World Trade Center in New York where two of my cousins perished. There is a need to stand there. To see it. To make it real in my head and not just pictures in the media or sound bites on the screen. Even if I did not know anyone who was murdered in the massacre, I know my reaction will be visceral. I was raised in the generation immediately after the Holocaust. My neighbors had numbers on their arms and scars from medical experiments conducted in Auschwitz. To see it is to believe it in your heart, in your head, and in your soul.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’ve been given my marching orders for what to bring back from Israel when I do come back and it includes very exciting things like halva Bamba. I’ve seen regular Bamba and peanut butter Bamba and chocolate Bamba, but I’ve never encountered halva Bamba. I’ll let you know how it is. If the kids want Bamba, I'll bring home Bamba...and a few other things for them. I hear someone needs Israeli soccer team t-shirts. Hmmmmm.

My intent is to publish from Israel, so you'll be getting your usual stuff and nonsense from me. No worries. I'm sure I can come up with something to write about.

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

Israel is Israel is Israel.

We are the indigenous people of the land

so it's always like coming home....

because it IS home. 

Anyone Remember Marshall McLuhan? I do.

In 1972, when Peter C. Newman left his job as editor-in-chief at The Toronto Star for the same position at Maclean's, he had several lunch conversations with Marshall McLuhan, and had the foresight to record them. 

Rummaging through his files, Newman recently discovered the lost tape of one of their luncheon conversations. "McLuhan was then in his 60s and had written most of his seminal studies of communication and the media, including The Medium is the Massage and The Gutenberg Galaxy,” Newman recalls. “This really was a conversation over lunch rather than a formal interview."

During that conversation, McLuhan makes a statement that, when I read it, just about knocked me over. 

The successor to politics will be propaganda, not in the sense of a message or ideology, but the impact of the whole technology of the times. So politics will eventually be replaced by imagery. The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favour of his image, because the image will be so much more powerful than he could ever be.

Remember, Marshall McLuhan is the guy who gave us the phrase the medium is the message, then twisted that phrase for the title of his book,The Medium is the Massage implying that we are soothed and relaxed by that which we see while at the same time it expands our horizons, possibly overwhelming us in the process. This, he warned, was  not without danger: the media is easily manipulated, what we call spun. Would McLuhan be surprised by the newest extremes? Probably not.

We have become less discerning in our ability to separate truth from fiction. The fact-checking craze is testament to that. We need just about everything that comes out a political mouth to be vetted. I think this is a direct outgrowth of the massage, not the message. 

But back to what McLuhan said: The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favour of his image, because the image will be so much more powerful than he could ever be.

We are seeing that play out in real time. Whether its President Felon's awkward dance moves or this insistence that the US will annex Greenland, or that he will take back the Panama Canal, the images we see flashing on the screen are attempts to get the audience to suspend their disbelief so that while what is said may be patently untrue, the audience accepts the premise presented. 

During the past week, We, the People, have witnessed rapid fire, massive changes to our government: mass firings of inspector generals, pledges of mass deportations, massive repeals to parts of the social safety net putting millions of low income and middle class citizens at risk, and so on. The Constitution has been challenged in ways never before seen, as in the matter of birthright citizenship. 

The Oval Office likes to talk about how other countries send us their violent criminals while releasing hundreds of violent seditionists back into the general population. He went even further requesting the  DoJ drop all investigations into the actions on January 6th, 2021. Former federal prosecutor Alexis Loeb offered the observation that 

These pardons suggest that if you commit acts of violence, as long as you do so on behalf of a politically powerful person you may be able to escape consequences, They undermine — and are a blow to — the sacrifice of all the officers who put themselves in the face of harm to protect democracy on Jan. 6.

That's a direct contradiction to the promises he made to be law enforcement's best friend, and that violent offenders would not be pardoned. 

Jake Angeli-Chansley, the Q-Anon Shaman, upon his release from jail, announced on X just how he was going to celebrate:

I JUST GOT THE NEWS FROM MY LAWYER... I GOT A PARDON BABY! THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!!! NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MOTHA FU*KIN GUNS!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!  J6ers are getting released & JUSTICE HAS COME... EVERYTHING done in the dark WILL come to light! 

[Well, if that doesn't warm the cockles of your heart, I don't know what will.]

It is becoming increasingly clear from the optics this guy presents that he is in no way interested in governing FOR the people.The only thing he wants is the spotlight. He is playing at being president, but not actually doing it. That job he's leaving to the surrounding sycophants. And those sharks are already eating each other as demonstrated by the rapid departure of Vivek Ramasmarmy. Despite claims he's gonna run for Governor of Ohio, the general consensus is that Elon Musty forced him out.

And no autopsy would be complete without mention of Elon. Some people wrote in accusing me of "fake news," but I'm not sure how that picture of Musty was fake news. Nor was I alone in my revulsion...one country even tried to ban him from entering ever again.  As I told one of my faithful correspondents: It's all about the optics.

In a message posted on a variety of platforms today, his longtime buddy, Philip S. Low,  wrote rather interestingly about his ex-friend. I have copied the post from LinkedIn and it's worth reading:

I have known Elon Musk at a deep level for 14 years, well before he was a household name. We used to text frequently. He would come to my birthday party and invite me to his parties. He would tell me everything about his women problems. As sons of highly accomplished men who married venuses, were violent and lost their fortunes, and who were bullied in high school, we had a number of things in common most people cannot relate to. We would hang out together late in Los Angeles. He would visit my San Diego lab. He invested in my company.

Elon is not a Nazi, per se.

He is something much better, or much worse, depending on how you look at it.

Nazis believed that an entire race was above everyone else.

Elon believes he is above everyone else. He used to think he worked on the most important problems. When I met him, he did not presume to be a technical person — he would be the first to say that he lacked the expertise to understand certain data. That happened later. Now, he believes he has all the solutions.

All his talk about getting to Mars to “maintain the light of consciousness” or about “free speech absolutism” is actually BS Elon knowingly feeds people to manipulate them. Everything Elon does is about acquiring and consolidating power. That is why he likes far right parties, because they are easier to control. That is also why he gave himself $56 Billion which could have gone to the people actually doing the work and innovations he is taking credit for at Tesla. His lust for power is also why he did xAI and Neuralink, to attempt to compete with OpenAI and NeuroVigil, respectively, despite being affiliated with them. Unlike Tesla and Twitter, he was unable to conquer those companies and tried to create rivals. I fired him with cause in December 2021 when he tried to undermine NV.

Elon did two Nazi salutes.

He did them for five main reasons:

1. He was concerned that the “Nazi wing” of the MAGA movement, under the influence of Steve Bannon, would drive him away from Trump, somewhere in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, rather than in the West Wing which is where he wants to be. He was already feeling raw over the fact that Trump did not follow his recommendation for Treasury Secretary and that the Senate also did not pick his first choice;

2. He was upset that he had had to go to Israel and Auschwitz to make up for agreeing with a Nazi sympathizer online and wanted to reclaim his “power” just like when he told advertisers to “go fuck yourself”. This has nothing to do with Asperger’s;

3. There are some Jews he actually hates: Sam Altman is amongst them;

4. He enjoys a good thrill and knew exactly what he was doing;

5. His narcissistic self was hoping the audience would reflect his abject gesture back to him, thereby showing complete control and dominion over it, and increasing his leverage over Trump. That did not happen.

Bottom line: Elon is not a Nazi but he did give two Nazi Salutes, which is completely unacceptable.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

Four more hostages have been released. The women, given military uniforms for the "event," were unbowed. From The TImes of Israel

The four hostages released Saturday have told their families and friends that they determinedly showed Hamas, during the staged event the terror group had arranged for their handover, that they would not be humiliated, according to reports of their initial conversations.

The four young women — abducted IDF surveillance soldiers Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19 — walked to the stage set up in a square in Gaza City calmly and confidently, and smiled and waved to the crowds of Hamas gunmen and Gazans.

Despite promises they would be released, no Bibases were on the list. This has given rise to greater speculation that 1) Shiri, the mom,  Ariel, and Kfir are dead; 2) Hamas is not in possession of their bodies; 3) the fate of their dad, Yarden, at this writing, remains unknown.

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

Today is January 27th, 

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

It didn't begin with the camps,

it began by separating the population into

desirable and undesirable groups.

Sound familiar?

It should.

May the memories of all who perished 

forever be for blessings.

A Mixed Bag Of A Week

I've been sitting here for a while trying to figure out what I wanna write about. I've been through several opening drafts, but none of them were useful.

Three young hostages were released from Gaza yesterday. They are the first of 33 to ultimately to released. 

 Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonan
 photos released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum 

Emily Damari, 28, was taken from her home at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. She was shot in the hand...and lost two fingers. She was also shot in the leg. She was bound and then tossed into her own car when she was taken. And just so everyone knows they're equal opportunity monsters,  they shot her dog as well. 

Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, was in her apartment on Kibbutz Kfar Aza. She was able to leave a message for her family before she was taken:

They've arrived, they have me.

 

Romi Gonen, 24, was at the Nova Festival. She called her mother from the car as she and others were fleeing. They were caught in the traffic jam. Her mother could hear them screaming as they tried to escape. 

They shot me, Mom and I’m bleeding...Everyone in the car is bleeding.

The release of the hostages was well choreographed for video release. The screaming mobs were attacking the vehicles as they moved through crowds. Highlights included the mob trying to grab the girls as they transferred to the International Red Cross transports. The guns waving, the masked and hooded goons filled the street. Funny thing about those suffering Palestinians....everyone looked really healthy and well fed for a population experiencing "genocide and starvation" at the hands of the Israelis.Usually, people who are starved and being killed off don't look so robust, but these guys look positively in tiptop shape. 

photo released by Hamas.

And let's not forget about the swag bags the hostages were handed as they got into the Red Cross van.According to a family member, the bag held a necklace, some photos of their time in captivity (according to Israeli media,) and a certificate that read in Hebrew and Arabic: Release decision.

I guess that's to frame and hang on the wall. Souvenirs to remember the fun experience of a lifetime? Notice the gun on the Qassam Brigade log. 

Is this supposed to make everyone feel better? Like they got consolation prizes? Really?

So in exchange for those swag bags, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. Not everyone is thrilled with this skewed reciprocity since many of the prisoners to be released during the cessation of hostilities are somewhat likely to be terrorists. Those prisoners will return to Gaza and the West Bank and you know damn well they are not "reformed." Has Israel unleashed a new wave of terror on itself? This is not an uncommon thought. 

But...and isn't there always a but? This is the difference between us and them. Israelis will do what they have to do to get the hostages back. That includes DEAD hostages. They need to come home to be buried, to bring closure to their families, to end the waiting. And here's another fine kicker for the event: Hamas and its subgroups aren't quite sure where the hostages, dead or alive, are to be found. And like so many others, I cannot stop thinking about the Bibas family. 

Those two red-headed boys. What happened to them? One report said they were dead. Another said Shiri was with them. A third said baby Kfir was given to a Palestinian family. No one knows the truth, and so far, Hamas doesn't seem to know either. I suspect they are all dead, but I don't want to believe that.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Feckless Felon is now President Felon, the first to occupy the oval office. Before he turned off the lights, President Biden pre-empted what was rumored to be coming down the road, by pardoning his own family members and granting clemency for Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci and the members of Congress who served on the January 6, 2021 investigation for the attack on the Capitol. Pardoning your own family may not be the best possible optic but all things considered......

President Felon has already pardoned the attackers, including Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio.

This is not as unusual as it sounds. Confederate officers and soldiers were pardoned by Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson, who also restored their property and voting rights. This was part of the process to reunite the two halves of the country. JImmy Carter pardoned those who dodged the Vietnam era draft. 

Somehow, I think an attack on the Capitol by a small group under the direction of an elected official is not the same. Those guys should serve time even if their instigator does not. At the very least their right to own a weapon should be suspended....not that it will. Interestingly, at the time of his inauguration, President Felon cannot own a gun. Of course, now he owns an army,  but who's looking, right?

And how lucky for him! He talks about expansionism in terms we've not heard since...oh, I dunno....Putin and Ukraine? His use of the phrase Manifest Destiny, even if applied to space, should worry everyone. Not exactly  The Prime Directive.

• America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world. A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

•  And Panama's promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn't give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back.

• Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy and disease free. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons. And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars. 

Worth mentioning...at least I think so... was statement in President Felon's address that confounded me:

After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents. Something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again. Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the Constitution and the rule of law. And we are going to bring law and order back to our cities.

This is coming from the standard bearer of the party that mounts huge challenges to books available in schools. In one breath he talks about only two genders, and the next breath he's talking about freedom of expression. Talk about cognitive dissonance. Even if he had speechwriters, we know he wanders away from the script. 

The bottom line is that you cannot trust what he says; watch what he does. When he doesn't get his way, he lashes out and changes direction. Those are gonna be the seriously scary moments. 

And I'm not even gonna mention the meme coin bitcoin bullshit that netted the Felonious family, according to some reports, billion$. I love that the first one is called $TRUMP. Kind fitting, dontcha think. A whore is a whore is a whore. 

[And update on the crypto biz from Heather Cox Richardson's Letters From An American Jan. 20, 2025...and worth noting:

The tone for the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States at noon today was set on Friday, when Trump, who once trashed cryptocurrency as “based on thin air,” launched his own cryptocurrency. By Sunday morning it had made more than $50 billion on paper. Felix Salmon of Axios reported that “a financial asset that didn’t exist on Friday afternoon—now accounts for about 89% of Donald Trump’s net worth.” 

As Salmon noted, “The emoluments clause of the Constitution,” which prohibits any person holding a government office from accepting any gift or title from a foreign leader or government, “written in 1787, hardly envisaged a world where a president could conjure billions of dollars of wealth out of nowhere just by endorsing a meme.” Salmon also pointed out that there is no way to track the purchases of this coin, meaning it will be a way for those who want something from Trump to transfer money directly to him. 

Former Trump official Anthony Scaramucci posted that “anyone in the world can essentially deposit money” into the bank account of the president of the United States. ]

Let's leave you some enduring pictures of today's festivities:

  

Elon greets the loyal minions.

Melania in a blue Carmen Sandiego hat.
You know, of course, Carmen wears red.

Hidden message? Maaaaaybe.

And last but certainly not least....

How NOT to swear your oath of office.

Is he or isn't he president?

The Wifely Person's Tip o'the Week

Sit back, have a cuppa tea,

and figure out who you're supporting

in the midterms.