Why We're At War

A Gut Feeling

I noticed two things. If it is inconvenient or contrary to what he wants, Trump won't listen to people who know what they're talking about. His closest advisors decline to offer any advice for fear of making him angry. They are all sycophants. A sycophant is a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite. They tell Trump that he is tall and tan, and wise and intelligent. Not to mention those great ties.

From The NYTimes:

 Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, who report on the White House, have uncovered new details about why, with little opposition from his closest aides, Trump attacked Iran.

The pitch came from Israel — in the Situation Room. Netanyahu made an hourlong presentation to Trump and his senior advisers on Feb. 11, arguing that a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign could destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, force regime change and bring down the Islamic republic. Sounds good to me, the president said.

The next morning, U.S. intelligence officials questioned that plan. Kill the ayatollah? Sure. Cripple Iran’s capacity to threaten its neighbors? Absolutely. But a popular uprising? A secular leader installed to govern the country? They found that “detached from reality.” The director of the C.I.A. called the scenario “farcical.” Trump, though, thought the campaign would be quick and decisive.

Previous victories filled him with confidence. He pointed to Iran’s muted response to the U.S. bombing of its nuclear facilities in June, and to the hasty seizure of the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January, an operation during which no American lives were lost. Tucker Carlson called the president to ask how he could be sure that everything would be OK in Iran. “Because it always is,” Trump replied.

Trump’s decision was gut-driven, and driven by Trump’s gut alone. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was enthusiastic about striking Tehran, of course. But Trump’s more equivocal advisers — Secretary of State Marco Rubio; his chief of staff, Susie Wiles; and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — did not push back on Trump’s plan. (His director of national intelligence and Treasury secretary weren’t even part of the final discussion.) Vice President JD Vance told the president: You know I think this is a bad idea, but if you want to do it, I’ll support you.

Read more of the inside story about how Trump decided to go to war with Iran. It’s reporting taken from a forthcoming book from Jonathan and Maggie, “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.”

I hope for some rationality when it comes to Cuba. Russia is their closest ally. It is not likely they will stand idly by and let Trump swope in for a regime change and takeover.

Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, sykophantēs meant "slanderer." It derives from two other Greek words, sykon (meaning "fig") and phainein (meaning "to show or reveal"). How did fig revealers become slanderers? One theory has to do with the taxes Greek farmers were required to pay on the figs they brought to market. Apparently, the farmers would sometimes try to avoid making the payments, but squealers—fig revealers—would fink on them, and they would be forced to pay. Another possible source is a sense of the word fig meaning "a gesture or sign of contempt" (as thrusting a thumb between two fingers). In any case, Latin retained the "slanderer" sense when it borrowed a version of sykophantēs, but by the time English speakers in the 16th century borrowed it as sycophant, the squealers had become flatterers. -webster

Has God turned his back on us?

 

Now that's A Scary Thought

The Pope issued that warning yesterday to those with blood on their hands.

What was Pope Leo talking about in his Palm Sunday message? His reference was Isaiah 1:15. Yes, this is directed at the masters of war and religious leaders, including those who believe this conflict is a divine intervention, and our leader is somehow the chosen one.

From Isaiah 1: 13-17 (The Message)

Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.

Powerful stuff! Maybe we should open our eyes and ears. The answer to what we should be doing is in the last few lines.

The Best Leaders Listen

What distinguishes good leadership? Have a plan? Planning for all possibilities? Garnering advice from those you can trust?

According to The Center for Creative Leadership, it's all that and more. A good leader inspires trust, fosters collaboration, and drives results through integrity, clear communication, and empathy. They are self-aware, resilient, and adaptable, focusing on empowering their team while taking accountability for outcomes. Effective leaders lead by example, mentoring others to achieve professional growth.

Nowhere in there do I see, "I alone can fix this."

Ancient Wisdom

Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

- Proverbs 11:14

Voice of the day

A painting is more than the sum of its parts. A cow by itself is just a cow, a meadow by itself is just grass, flowers, and the sun peeking through the trees is just a beam of light, but you put them all together...and it can be magic.

- Richard Baker in “Flipped” (2014)

And in 2026?

Two political experts were blown away on Thursday after President Donald Trump proved he "paid attention to nothing" that his war advisors are telling him. -Raw Story

We're in for a rough landing.

How low have we fallen?

Acts of Violence

As of March 9, 2026, President Donald Trump's approval rating sits at approximately 38%–41%, with disapproval around 56%–58%, reflecting a net negative rating. Recent polling indicates low confidence in his ethics and leadership, with approval for his handling of the economy and immigration stalling near 40%–41% -pew research.

Support for his war with Iran is bumping along the bottom. Democrats (86%) and independents (61%) are largely aligned with each other in opposition to the military action. But 84% of Republicans support it according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. .

Who's to blame?

From the administration's perspective, it's always the victim, or the critics. After the fatal shooting of two protestors, the response was immediate. They were accused of threatening ICE agents. 

After the video by six members of Congress urging members of the military to follow the law was posted, they were labeled traitors who should be shot.

The bombing of a school in Southern Iran is drawing sharp focus on Rules of Engagement. After the attack, which killed over 170 children, Trump blamed Iran. Investigators have found the missile used was a tomahawk cruise missile. The only military force using that weapon is the United States. The investigation is not complete, but it looks like our military targeted the school.

After the attack on the synagog in Michigan and the attack at Old Dominion, he blamed genetically inferior people. That's right in line with his blatantly racist presidential campaign in 2024.

Could Trump be called morally bankrupt? "Morally bankrupt" describes an individual, organization, or society that has completely lost or abandoned its ethical principles, integrity, and values. It implies a state where actions are taken without regard for right or wrong, often driven by selfishness, greed, or a disregard for the well-being of others. -Psychology Today

The Atlantic has published numerous articles and opinion pieces that strongly argue Donald Trump is "morally bankrupt?"

Key arguments presented by The Atlantic and its contributors include:

• Character and Ethics: The publication has described Trump as a "depraved and brazen pathological liar," a "shameless con man," and a "sociopathic criminal" who lacks moral or social conscience, empathy, or remorse.
• Business Tactics: The Atlantic has detailed how Trump used "ruthlessness, racism and cruelty" in his business career, often inflicting harm on real people and businesses while enriching himself.
• "Moral Bankruptcy" in Business: Articles have highlighted that while Trump often avoided personal financial ruin, his casino businesses in Atlantic City went through four bankruptcies, leaving investors and contractors with significant losses while he continued to collect millions.
• Presidential Conduct: The outlet has labeled his administration "the most corrupt in American history," citing conflicts of interest, the use of public office for personal profit, and a disregard for the rule of law.
• "The Swamp": Some contributors argued that Trump did not "drain the swamp" but was, in fact, "the swamp" himself, characterizing his actions as a "grift". 

Supporters often frame his actions not as a lack of morals, but as a disruptive, anti-establishment approach necessary to challenge entrenched political norms. They may see his business background as a strength and interpret his, at times, unconventional behavior as a sign of authenticity, or as a "smart" use of opportunities. -ussenate.gov

That's all well and good, but there's no due process, no accountability, no consequences for bad acts, no apologies.  Just shoot first, and don't you dare ask questions. Is this important. Yes! He's taking us all down with him.

Biblical and Traditional Proverbs on Corruption

• "Righteousness builds nations; corruption buries them." (Proverbs 14:34) - Emphasizes that integrity is the foundation of a stable society, while dishonesty leads to national decay.
• "Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster." (Proverbs 22:8) - Suggests that corrupt actions inevitably lead to negative consequences.
• "A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he prospers." (Proverbs 17:8) - Highlights the deceptive power of bribery, often used to bypass rules.
• "The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice." (Proverbs 17:23) - Points out that corruption is often hidden but destructive to fair judgment.
• "A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long reign." (Proverbs 28:16) - Links honest leadership with longevity and stability.
• "By justice, a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes ruin it." (Proverbs 29:4) - Contrasts fair leadership with the destructive nature of bribery.
• "A corrupt system survives only when good people stay silent." (Proverbs 31:8) - Highlights the role of complicity in allowing corruption to persist.

Who's history is this anyway?

Who's History Is this?

-noel abejo

It depends. Who's writing it?

FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, is offering broadcasters programming guidance for our country's 250th birthday. The Hill reports, "The goal of the initiative, the FCC said as part of the announcement it made Friday, is for major broadcasters to put on programming that “celebrates the American journey and inspires its citizens by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this great nation from our founding through the Trump Administration today.” 

Define Patriotism

The push is coming from the Trump administration and includes segments featuring Souza marches, daily broadcasts of the Pledge of Allegiance, and starting and ending the broadcast day with the Star Spangled Banner. Since most broadcasters are on the air 24/7, the beginning of the broadcast day would be at midnight.

I'm wondering what the administration would think of a clear eyed look at the struggles and accomplishments of the civil rights movement? After all, they've been busy trying to dismantle most of this. I think we got our answer when the National Park Service abruptly removed an exhibit detailing the lives of enslaved people at the President’s House site on Independence Mall. Following legal action, a federal judge ordered a partial restoration of these panels, which were reinstalled in mid-February 2026. The site is a major, reconstructed historical landmark.

(The following is from online sources.)

The Civil Rights Movement (roughly 1954–1968) achieved the dismantling of legally enforced segregation (Jim Crow laws) and secured landmark federal legislation protecting voting rights, public accommodation, and fair housing for Black Americans. Key accomplishments included the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the desegregation of schools and public facilities. 

Key achievements and legislative successes included:

• Civil Rights Act of 1964: Outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations and employment, and created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: Eliminated legal barriers (such as literacy tests) that prevented Black citizens from voting, authorized federal oversight of registration, and protected the right to vote.
• Fair Housing Act of 1968: Prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
• Desegregation of Public Spaces: Ended legal segregation in schools, buses, and public facilities following rulings like Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and actions like the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
• Economic and Social Impact: Led to increased representation in professional jobs, higher wages for Black workers, and a significant rise in college enrollment.
• Interracial Marriage: Struck down bans on interracial marriage through the Loving v. Virginia (1967) decision. 

The movement used nonviolent protest, marches, and legal challenges to force these changes, ultimately creating a more equitable legal framework for civil rights in the United States.

Victim-Blaming

It's your own damn fault for being there! 

"Does one deserve to have evil done to her by consequence of putting herself where evil can reach her?"

-Brandon Sanderson

It took mere minutes for the Trump Administration to cast the fatal shooting of Renee Good as something she was asking for...victim-blaming. It was a pretense to justify bad acts.

Explaining The Just-World Phenomenon

The Very Well Mind 

Why do people (not just politicians and leaders) do this? Why do they dodge reality and deflect blame? Why couldn't we all admit the shooting is concerning, and they've begun an investigation into the incident, and a review of deadly force protocols? The first question for me, is this the bad act of an individual, or endemic to ICE? It might be because they no longer have control of the message, and control of the narrative is more important than anything else. 

It seems there are no longer any adults in the room.

Psychology Today examines the reasons for victim- blaming.

• A new study suggests a subset of people seemingly derive enjoyment from victim-blaming: “everyday sadism.”
• Victim blaming may occur because people are motivated to see the world as a just place.
• Lack of empathy for victims is another factor that can increase blame.

The article in Psychology Today concludes, Whether driven by fear, lack of empathy, or other factors, victim-blaming can compound victims’ suffering by shaming and stigmatizing them, and it can reduce the accountability of those responsible for causing harm, making harmful acts more likely to continue. Though victim-blaming is pervasive and difficult to combat, noticing and challenging it in all of its forms can help to reduce its power.

What is the Just-World according to The Very Well Mind?

The just-world phenomenon is the tendency to believe that the world is just and that people get what they deserve. Because people want to believe the world is fair, they will look for ways to explain or rationalize injustice, often blaming the person in the situation who is actually the victim. This phenomenon explains why people sometimes blame victims for their own misfortune, even when they have no control over the events that befall them.

The Very Well Mind lays out real-world examples.

• Religion: A classic example of this tendency is found in the Bible's Book of Job. In the text, Job suffers a series of terrible calamities. At one point, his former friend suggests that Job must have done something terrible to have deserved his misfortunes. Research has shown a strong link between the just-world viewpoint and religiosity.3
• Crime: More modern examples of the just-world phenomenon can be seen in many places. Victims of sexual assault are often blamed for their attack, as others suggest that it was the victim's own behavior that caused the assault. 
• Discrimination: Another example of the just-world phenomenon is when people blame the victims of hate crimes.4 For instance, in cases of police violence against Black individuals, some say there are just "a few bad apples" in the police force. But this denies the reality of the victim's experience and the role systemic racism plays in the violence.
• Moral judgements: The just-world phenomenon is also apparent in discrimination and moral judgment against people with HIV or AIDS.5 Some people believe that those living with HIV or AIDS do not deserve access to high-quality healthcare, for instance, because they are "to blame" for their illness.6
• Poverty: People living in poverty often face prejudice and are blamed for their circumstances. If the world is fair, people living without adequate resources are simply not doing something right, the just-world argument suggests. This outlook ignores the role of factors like economic inequalities, lack of access to resources, trauma, and racism.

The Very Well Mind also suggests what we can do as individuals to avoid the just-world phenomenon.

• Practice empathy: Instead of stewing in anger or irritation about someone else's situation, try having compassion for what they're going through. Understanding others' emotions may actually lower your own stress levels as well.7
• Avoid victim-blaming: Victim-blaming is something many of us do without realizing it. But remember, only the perpetrator of a crime is responsible for their actions.8

  Magalhães Tavares S, Pimentel CE, Pereira CR. How belief in a just world and secondary victimization relate to victim-perpetrator disparities in reparation demands in cases of gender-based violence. J Soc Psychol. doi:10.1080/00224545.2025.2600031

   There are also many external factors that contribute to homelessness and poverty, for instance. Don't assume you know why negative things happen to someone.
• Learn about social injustice: By educating yourself on social inequalities, you'll find that people are subjected to harsh realities every day. Our biases and prejudices can keep us from seeing the truth. When you find yourself judging someone's situation, ask yourself if your outlook is affected by racism, sexism, ageism, or discrimination of any kind.
• Consider the source: When you hear a story on the news, asking yourself some of the following questions can shift your perspective: Whose story is being told? Am I hearing more than one perspective or only one person's viewpoints? Is it possible I'm not hearing the full story or all of the details?
• Explore your emotions: Underneath your judgment of someone else's circumstance, you might find fear and anxiety because you worry that what happened to them can happen to you, too. Process your emotions and be gentle with yourself.

It's not a war, it's a police action!

 

Do you remember this?

Government officials insisted that the conflict in Vietnam was a police action. That way we did not have to declare war. I heard that phrase again yesterday, Police Action.

To go deeper I went to Britanica. Call me old fashioned, but I trust this source over AI.

By nearly every metric, the Vietnam War was, in the common sense of the word, a war. The United States committed some 550,000 troops to the Vietnam front at the height of the conflict, suffered more than 58,000 casualties, and engaged in battle after battle with communist forces in the region until its withdrawal in 1973. However, from a constitutional perspective, this conflict did not technically count as a war. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress sole authority to issue declarations of war. Since 1941 Congress has declared war only six times, all during World War II. Congress authorized troop deployment in Vietnam, but, because it did not issue a declaration of war on North Vietnam or the Viet Cong, the Vietnam War is, technically speaking, not considered a war in the United States.

Lessons are soon forgotten when greed and lust for power take over, cloaked in the need for national security.