Merry Christmas to all!

The miracle and gifts of Christmas are not just for Christians. Christmas is for all. Believers, skeptics, and non-believers, including those who observe other faiths.

May the joy of Christmas reinforce the Faithful, persuade the skeptics, and convert the non-believers. May everyone’s heart be warmed and transformed, and dedicated to God’s Will and the love of their fellow man.

Thank you all for reading. I am very grateful.

GFK

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” 

–Matthew 2:1-2

 “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

–Winston L. S. Churchill

 “Down the ages from the first Christmas through all the years [since], mankind in its weary pilgrimage through the changing world has been strengthened by the message of Christmas . . . The religion which came to the world heralded by the song of the angels . . . remains today the world’s best hope . . . . “

 –Former President Harry S. Truman

 “Christmas is a time for children, and rightly so. We celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Peace who came as a babe in a manger. Some celebrate Christmas as the birthday of a great teacher and philosopher. But to other millions of us, Jesus is much more. He is divine, living assurance that God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son so that by believing in Him and learning to love each other we could one day be together in paradise.  It’s been said that all the kings who ever reigned, that all the parliaments that ever sat have not done as much to advance the cause of peace on Earth and good will to men as the man from Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth.”

–Former President Ronald Wilson Reagan

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.’’

–Ebenezer Scrooge

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.”

–Bob Hope

“God bless us, Every One!”

–Tiny Tim

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”

 Luke 2:1-14

GOOD MORNING Mary Hazen!  Merry Christmas to all in Mississippi. I hope your shoulder is healing nicely!

And thank you for the cookbook and the Mississippi State bottle opener. I am cajoling English into baking your Cranberry Christmas cake. GO BULLDOGS!

GOOD MORNING Jay Wilson!  Merry Christmas.

HAPPINESS IS A COLD MARTINI MADE BY HOLLAND KOONTZ.  Shaken, not stirred.

Russell found the perfect martini recipe, with a ratio of gin to vermouth of 5:0. It is absolutely perfect.

Yesterday we all [well, not Dudley] went over the river and through the woods to the Chick-Fil-A in Purcellville, for our annual Christmas Peppermint milkshake. It was awesome. And do you know what goes well with a Peppermint milkshake? Chicken nuggets and waffle fries!

The Trump Administration announced the construction of a new class of battleship, the Trump Class. The new battleships will be the most powerful naval ships ever constructed. WINNING!

The United States economy grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in the 3rd quarter of this year. MORE WINNING!

The Trump Administration paused 5 off shore wind projects, due to national security concerns. Governor Kathy Hochul (D. N.Y.) and Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (D. Va.) are not pleased.

The federal Department of Homeland Security just tripled the amount it will pay illegal aliens to self-deport, from $1,000.00 to $3,000.00. Since deportation proceedings can run, on average, a little more than $17,000.00, the payments are a bargain.

Congressional Democrats are outraged–OUTRAGED–that the Trump Administration is withdrawing a China Joe regulation that permitted immigrants to acquire a green card even if they were a “public charge” on welfare. Democrats are claiming that the rule is “cruel”, will “starve children”, etc., etc., etc. Horse hockey! The law–passed by Congress–requires that immigrants not be a “public charge”. The Trump Administration is merely abiding by a law that China Joe ignored.

“These military strikes against narco-terrorists carrying drugs in boats to the United States are legal.  They’re effective.  [Drug] traffic is way down.  The intelligence on which they are based is exquisitely good.”

–Senator John Kennedy (R. La.).

Senator Ruben Gallego (D. Az.) said that he was not concerned with stopping the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. Huh. No surprise, since his father was a drug dealer. Apparently, like father, like son. No, Senator Gallego is more concerned that the Trump Administration’s actions in intercepting drug traffickers are damaging Venezuela. Seriously.

Remember all those Venezuelan illegal alien gang members the Trump Administration sent to El Salvador? Most of those gang members have been repatriated to their native Venezuela. But federal judge James Boasberg is not satisfied. He wants the Trump Administration to return all those illegal alien gang members to the United States, and provide them all a trial. Sigh. It is not going to happen.

Grifter George Conway, former husband of Kellyanne Conway, and disappointed applicant for a high position in the 1st Trump Department of Justice, has announced that he will be running for Congress, hoping to succeed Representative Jerry Nadler (D. N.Y.). HA, HA, HA! The “principled conservative” never was either “principled” or “conservative”, and now he has come out as a full-fledged Democrat. The truth is that most political figures have no principles. Most political figures crave power above all else.

California’s legislature passed a law requiring public school teachers to accommodate a student’s “gender transition”, and to keep the “transition” secret from parents. The law punished those who failed to accommodate the “transition” by using improper names or pronouns, or denying access to preferred restrooms. Well, the law is no more, as a federal judge has ruled that law unconstitutional. TAKE THAT, Governor Hair Gel!

A Pennsylvania public school bus driver was fired for requiring students to speak English while on the bus. The school district explained that the driver’s expectations were “racially insensitive”. Sigh. You cannot require someone to speak English in the United States of America? Sad.

The Mount Nittany Middle School [Pennsylvania] started a “Black Affinity Club”. No white students need apply. The establishment of a racially segregated club in a public school is apparently not “racially insensitive”.

In New Jersey, an illegal alien died of natural causes while in an ICE detention facility. Congressional Democrats are now demanding that the ICE detention facility be closed. Because . . . ?

The Minnesota welfare fraud keeps getting worse. Now federal authorities have discovered that the monies fraudulently obtained by Somalis are $9 billion, and rising. That is more than the entire Somali economy.

Governor Tampon Tim (D. Mn.) and Attorney General Keith Ellison (D. Mn.) should resign at once. Their incompetence, indeed their complicity, is self-evident. They are a disgrace.

The evil, religious hating Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a threatening letter to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R. Ar.), demanding that she rescind her decision to close the State government on December 26, to permit State employees to enjoy another day off for the Christmas holiday. The atheists insisted that closing the State government on December 26 was unconstitutional–it is not–and that they would sue if Governor Sanders did not act. Sue away, because Governor Sanders properly responded that she would not bend to the Foundation’s evil demands.

ICE agents arrested an MS-13 assassin squad member in Nebraska. The assassin had been permitted into the country by China Joe.

For the 8th year in a row, Tito’s Vodka is Virginia’s best-selling alcoholic spirit. I personally know of a group of folks who have disproportionately contributed to Tito’s success in the Commonwealth. They are impressive and hard souls.

The Church of the Holy Redeemer was attacked by Islamic Arsonists in Jenin, Judea. The arsonists burnt down the parish’s Christmas tree, and attempted to burn down the whole Church. The religion of peace strikes again.

In Germany, a Syrian refugee who participated in the gang rape of a 15 year old girl in a public park was given a suspended jail sentence. A German woman who called the Syrian rapist a “disgraceful rapist pig” was sentenced to 3 days in jail for uttering “racially insensitive” comments to the man.

In England, retired pastor Clive Johnston is standing trial on criminal charges for preaching The Gospel in a local park. It seems that Reverend Johnston’s voice and words could be heard down the street, at a hospital that performed abortions. The criminal charges allege that Reverend Johnston’s words might have discouraged some woman (no one in particular) from having an abortion. The culture of death and tyranny are strangling the British people.

Another humiliation was visited upon Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, as special police arrived at his residence, and required him to surrender his firearms and shotgun licenses. It just keeps getting worse, and worse.

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”

— Margaret Thatcher.

May tomorrow morning, you find yourself surrounded by the ones you love.  Merry Christmas!

GFK

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 – Romans 15:13.

Yesterday I went to the dentist and just had a miserable experience. Nothing wrong with my teeth, but the hygienist and the dentist . . . I just did not care for them.

I recently had to change dentists, as my previous dentist retired. I went to him religiously, even when I lived in California, and other far-flung places. For 35 years I trotted across the river to Potomac, Maryland, and Dr. Heffelfinger took good care of me. But now? I need a new dentist. Again.

There is an old Seinfeld joke that a dentist is just a sadist, but with better magazines. That may make me an anti-dentite, but I do not care. It is true.

“We have been, and by the grace of God, we always will be, A CHRISTIAN NATION!   Christianity is America’s CREED. Across our history, our country’s major debates always centered how we could best please GOD.”

–Vice-President J.D. Vance, speaking at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest event in Arizona.

For decades now, the political and cultural elite have worked overtime to convince the country that faith is a private hobby at best, and a public nuisance at worst. We have been lectured that America is merely an economic zone, a collection of procedures, or a blank slate on which any ideology can be written.  According to the modern catechism, Christianity may be tolerated if it stays quiet, apologetic, and safely tucked away on Sunday mornings.

When Vice-President Vance said Christianity is America’s creed, he was not calling for a theocracy.  The Left will scream that anyway, because they always do.  He was stating a historical fact.  From the earliest colonial charters to the sermons preached during the Revolutionary War, from the abolitionist movement to the civil rights movement, Christianity has shaped the moral language of this nation.  Our greatest debates were never about whether God mattered, but about how best to honor Him.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

–John Adams.

John Adams agrees with J.D. Vance. As do the other Founding Fathers.

If you listen to radio during your day, you may have heard commercials from our atheist friends at The Freedom From Religion Foundation. The advertisements claim that our Constitution’s 1st Amendment protects government from private religious influence, and requires a strong separation between Church and State. That is just so much blather.

The 1st claim is so historically ignorant as to be laughable. There is no “freedom from religion”. And the Constitution does not restrain individual behavior in any way. The Constitution is not intended to protect government from Americans; rather, the Constitution is intended to restrain government, and to protect Americans from government action. As Vice-President Vance observed, and Vice-President Adams before him, our system of government is properly suited only for a religious and moral people. From the beginning, Christians influenced government, at Jamestown, Plymouth, Philadelphia, at the Constitutional Convention, and in the administrations of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, et al.

As for the 2nd claim, it is also historically ignorant, but it is sad. It is sad because so many Americans actually believe it. There are vast swaths of Americans who believe that the Constitution built a wall between Church and State. And it does no such thing.

The phrase “separation of Church and State” appears in no Founding documents. Rather, it is referenced only in a letter from then President Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury [Connecticut] Baptists, who were concerned about government meddling in their worship. President Jefferson sought to assure the Danbury Baptists that that could not happen under our Constitution. In other words, the Danbury Baptists freedom of religion was protected from government interference.

And do not confuse freedom of religion with freedom of worship. They are not the same thing. President Obama tried to redefine the 1st Amendment by using the phrase “freedom of worship”. In other words, President Obama wanted to assure Americans that they could go to Church and pray on Sundays, but please, keep your religion to yourselves on the other 6 days of the week. And that is wrong. An American can freely exercise his religion every day, all day, all year long. An American cannot be forced to compromise his religious beliefs by another with different beliefs, or no beliefs at all. And an American elected to Congress does not have to check his Faith at the Capitol door. The Founders expected that an American with Faith would bring that Faith to his work in government, and that that Faith would be reflected in his works.

All of this, and much more, is important. Americans need to relearn their civics, and reclaim their history, and their government. It will be a process–no doubt, a long one–but it can, and must, be done.

Inflation fell. Again. It is now below 3%, and moving lower. Leftists have now quit complaining about inflation, and are now warning of “deflation”. Because, . . Orange Man Bad.

Under China Joe, real incomes for a family of 4 fell by more than $3,000.00. In the 1st 10 months of the current Trump Administration, real incomes for a family of 4 rose by more than $1,300.00. WINNING!

The United States military seized 2 more Venezuelan oil tankers. MORE WINNING!

President Trump announced a special bonus for each member of our Armed Services, in celebration of our country’s 250th celebration. Each soldier, sailor, and pilot will receive $1,776.00.

ABC’s The View claims that President Trump is simply trying to bribe the military to back his “fascism”. Sigh.

Senate Democrats acted to block spending bills needed to fund the federal government in FY 2026. They are going to shut down the government next month. Again.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I. Vt.) single handedly blocked the passage of a bill designed to provide funding for research for children with cancers. Yep. Mr. “Single Payer”, who insists that government pay everyone’s medical care, has decided that if he cannot have his way on socialized medicine, then no research funding for children with cancer.

The Democrats do not care about other people. They hate you.

The House of Representatives voted to advance a healthcare reform bill that would address many of Obamacare’s flaws. Naturally all Democrats voted against it.

The House also voted to criminalize “gender affirming care” (i.e. genital mutilation surgery) for children. Naturally, all Democrats voted against it.

According to documents obtained by a Freedom Of Information Act request, the China Joe Administration opened a criminal investigation into Senator Kristen Sinema (D. Az.) immediately after she left the Democrat Party. Coincidence? Not a chance in Hell.

Former President Bill Clinton is outraged that with the release of the Epstein files, there are lewd photographs of him with young women. Maybe Mr. Clinton should have behaved better. At least, he might have implored his fellow Democrats to shut up about the release. Because in their zeal to embarrass Mr. Trump, they embarrassed Mr. Clinton.

Rhode Island has ever anti-gun law on the books known to man. It is also surrounded by States with severe gun ownership restrictions, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts. Nevertheless, Senator Christopher Murphy (D. Ct.) has placed the blame for the Brown University shooting squarely on the shoulders of . . . President Trump. But of course!

In Cook County, Illinois [Chicago], the State courts have adopted rules to prevent the possibility that any cross-dressing, mentally ill person (a/k/a “trans”), to wit:

force judges to identify themselves in the courtroom using “pronouns”;

mandate that judges minimize the use of people’s given, biologically appropriate names (aka “dead names”);

require apologies if anyone in the court is forced to use those names;

admonish lawyers who dare to use those names;

banish the phrase “ladies and gentlemen” and the honorifics of “Mr.” and “Mrs.”;

end references to homosexuality as a “lifestyle”;

ensure juries don’t hear salacious details about homosexual lifestyles (presumably even if relevant to a case) because that’s prejudicial; and,

refer to any mutilating chemical and surgical interventions in the quixotic quest for “gender affirmation” as “health care”.

That is pure insanity. I am so glad I do not practice law in Chicago.

New Jersey Democrats are pushing legislation to ban restaurants from using plastic utensils. Even more strangely, the legislation bans the provision of condiments to on-site diners. To go diners can get condiments, but only if they request them. These people are no fun. All they do is sit around and figure out how to pass laws to make the rest of us miserable.

Around Thanksgiving, Kimberly Byrd, head of the Mullins, South Carolina Beautification Committee, and her small team, decided to decorate the city’s new marketplace area for its first Christmas season “like a Hallmark movie,” hoping to draw more customers to the downtown area.  The Committee spent about two weeks placing decorations they paid for out of their own pockets, including a snowman, wreaths, lights, Santa Claus and a small 3-by-4-foot Nativity scene.  

Mullins Mayor Miko Pickett asking her to remove the Nativity scene, citing concerns about residents of other faiths and beliefs in the community, citing the “separation of Church and State”.  Kimberly Byrd and her Committee said “no”.  Because Christmas is not about Santa Claus, or Frosty the Snowman, or Hallmark movies.  Christmas is about the birth of Christ.  Thank you to Kimberly Byrd and her fellow citizens for reminding Mayor Pickett of that fact.

There was a massive power outage in San Francisco, California, darkening whole neighborhoods. One of the fallouts from the outage was that traffic signals went dark, and Waymo, the electric driverless automobile service, shut down. Which meant that the driverless cars stopped in the middle of intersections, travel lanes–wherever they were located. Passengers were stranded with no way home. Some passengers were trapped in their automobiles, because one of the features of electric vehicles is that without electricity, nothing works. Including the doors.

Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado held its annual “Drag Queen Christmas Spectacular”. According to advertisements, “magical Queers will slay their way to Bethlehem”. Sigh. Unitarians do not believe in God anyway. They are just another Leftist cult.

Congratulations to Scott Beardsley on being named the 10th President of The University of Virginia. He was chosen unanimously by the UVA Board of Visitors.

Readers may recall that Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (D.) demanded that the Board of Visitors cease its search, and not name a new president until after she became Governor. Because Mrs. Spanberger wanted to name one of her Leftist toadies to the job. But the current Governor remains in office, and all the power of the office resides in him, and none in her. Good for the Board of Visitors for defying the arrogant Mrs. Spanberger. And good luck to President Beardsley. He will likely need it.

Beginning in 1926, Notre Dame has played the University of Southern California in football. The only exception was a couple of years in the depths of World War II. And next year will be another exception as Notre Dame has “paused” the rivalry so that it play BYU. Notice that Notre Dame is not pausing its series with Navy or Army (nothing wrong with these schools, but their programs are not on par with USC). No, Notre Dame is pausing its longtime series with a team that can actually beat it. Because Notre Dame is still acting out over its exclusion from the College Football Playoffs. Cry babies.

Congratulations to Washington State on beating Utah State, and winning the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. What else would you call a bowl game played on a blue turf field?

The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs are moving from Missouri to Kansas. Kansas is building the Chiefs a new stadium.

GFK

“I am determined to enjoy each day to the fullest.  I don’t want to wish away Christmas.  I want to enjoy these last moments of Advent and look forward to Jesus’s birth with anticipation.”

–Shelley Shepard Gray.

GOOD MORNING JOHN AND KAY BAYS! John and his mother have been sailing around the Caribbean, and will be spending Christmas in Bolivia, and New Year’s in Peru. Kay Bays has always been a world traveler, and she passed on that habit to John.

GOOD MORNING CHEF DEAN! THANK YOU FOR THE LOBSTER HUSHPUPPIES! Absolutely delicious!

Frank said it best. It’s been several years, and everything out of the Club kitchen has been wonderful.

In fact, I can remember the very 1st day I met Chef Dean, after he took over. His food has been excellent. We are so fortunate to have him.

The Reindeer Classic was a BIG TIME! Thursday was cold and rainy, but by daybreak on Friday, the skies cleared, and the wind began to blow. Hard, which was great for drying the course. The temperatures were in the low 50s, but with the wind . . . it was brisk.

I wore shorts. I am a fool.

Our team consisted of Frank, Jason, Adam, Sarah, and me. We were a jolly bunch, with Sarah leading the cheering. Adam hit most of our golf shots. Frank and I beat it around, and Jason occasionally joined us, when he was not hitting it left.

The Reindeer Classic is 18 holes, with all the holes set up as par 3s. Captain’s choice.

There were also many unwritten rules. First of all, there is copious amounts of drinking, the timing of which is key. You need to lead off drinking. If you make a birdie, you drink. And in between, you can drink. After the round is over, you continue to drink. You can stop drinking when you get home and go to bed.

Jason brought flavored moonshine shots. The cookies and creme, and the peanut butter were good. But the eggnog flavored was the best!

There were Fireball shots. I do not much care for Fireball. Jason and Frank are still disappointed in me.

Sarah provided a hot apple cider and honey, flavored with Woodford Reserve. Delicious!

Unbelievably, our team tied for 1st place, along with 3 other teams, shooting -6 under par. Then there was a chip off involving 2 members of each of the 4 teams, conducted, thankfully not outside, but on the Club’s golf simulator. Adam and Frank chipped off for our team, and sadly, finished just a little behind Dean Johnston’s team. So we finished 2nd. Which meant we could return to drinking.

Bill Sibbick should have received a prize for the best Christmas sweater. It was festive and bright. Very, very bright. No lights needed.

Chris Boswell was there. He had fun. Chris always has fun.

The Club was packed, both on the golf course, and inside the clubhouse after the tournament. Lots of people to see and greet, wishing all a very Merry Christmas. There was a tribute to our PGA professional, Robert, as this was his last tournament. Everyone was smiling and laughing. IT WAS A VERY BIG TIME.

My childhood friend Rob wrote me an email before the tournament, wishing me well, but advising me that having fun was the point. Rob, mission accomplished.

The Board of Trustees for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts voted unanimously to rename it The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Cue the Leftist meltdown.

Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta stood outside the Trump/Kennedy Center and declared it a “dark day for democracy”. Members of the extended Kennedy family decried the move. And Senator Chris Van Hollen (D. Md.) got into the act, denouncing the move. He was probably upset that it was not renamed after his drinking buddy, Abrego Garcia.

Finally, Dru weighed in. Dru has never been to The Kennedy Center. He is too busy following Leftist memes on Facebook. And watching women’s sports with Rocky.

The truth is, that before Mr. Trump’s 2nd term, The Kennedy Center was in disarray and disrepair. It was fiscally and physically on the brink of collapse. Mr. Trump and his allies launch a massive effort to rescue the Center, and raised a record number of funds–PRIVATE funds. The annual playbill which had devolved into a celebration of every disfunction and perversity in America has now become more traditional, substantive, and family friendly.

It is rich for the Kennedy clan, and assorted Democrat politicians, to rail against President Trump. They have done nothing–NOTHING–for years to maintain or improve the Center. But for President Trump, the building would have become a homeless shelter beside the Potomac River. The name change is fine. Everyone calm down, and move on. Thank you.

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R. Ut.) wants to raise taxes on the “rich”. Sigh. We are so very glad that he lost to Barack Obama. So glad.

Did you know that American mortgage applicants are required to be racially profiled by their banks? Before a bank can issue you a mortgage, it must record your ethnicity, race, and sex. The failure to do so runs afoul of regulations promulgated by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Board, and fines and other penalties can be levied upon the bank.

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! It is reminiscent of Jim Crow laws, which Democrats enacted and enforced, but now rail against, even as they enact and enforce more racial laws.

The CFPB is the brainchild of Senator Elizabeth “Lieawatha” Warren (D. Ma.). It is not surprising that her creation would be race obsessed, as she is a racial liar, who lied repeatedly about her heritage in order to gain an advantage professionally. But the racial profiling of ordinary Americans who seek only to purchase the “American Dream” is vile and offensive. It is very un-American. The sooner we rid ourselves of the CFPB and all such laws and regulations that classify Americans by their innate characteristics, the better.

“They’re arresting people simply for the offense of being in the country illegally . . . it’s not something that should cause deportation . . . .”

–Representative Steve Cohen (D. Tn.).

There is stupid. And there is &@^!* stupid. Steve Cohen is &@^!* stupid.

Representative Ro Khanna (D. Ca.) is threatening to lead the impeachment process against Department of Justice officials due to their failure to timely release ALL the Epstein files. Get a life!

Ro Khanna is not stupid. But he is &@^!* mean and partisan. He does not want to accomplish something. He wants to destroy everything.

A Wisconsin jury convicted State Court judge Hannah Duggan of felony obstruction of an ICE operation to arrest an illegal alien. LOCK HER UP!

Representative Elise Stefanik (R. N.Y.) dropped out of the race for New York Governor, and further announced that she was leaving Congress. She is not done. She is too talented. She will be back.

Oklahoma took a 17 point lead over Alabama in a first round game in the College Football Playoffs. It was not enough, as Alabama stormed back, and eventually won by 10.

Miami went down to College Station and beat Texas A&M, 10-3, in a game that neither team seemingly wanted to win. The 12th man is desolate. Maybe next year.

Oregon and Ole Miss decimated their opponents. On to the next round.

Lee Corso will be inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, class of 2025. Congratulations!

Norman Podhoretz, the communist intellectual who navigated the spectrum to become a conservative intellectual and influencer against the former Soviet Union, has died at age 95. He abandoned faculty lounge debates to advise presidents, and publish books and magazines. He was a giant among scholars. R. I. P.

Former NASCAR driver and humanitarian, Greg Biffle, and his family, perished in a plane crash near Statesville, North Carolina. R. I. P.

Former CNN war correspondent Peter Arnett has died at age 91. R. I. P.

Lou Cannon, longtime Washington Post columnist, and biographer of Ronald Reagan, has died at age 92. R. I. P.

Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Campbell has died at age 61. R. I. P.

Actress May Britt has died at age 92. R. I. P.

Former Stoneleigh Golf & Country Club Director of Golf Bob Benning has died at age 93. Bob was a long time PGA member, who counted among his colleagues and close associates, the great Claude Harmon, and his son, Butch, a sought after instructor. Before coming to Stoneleigh, Bob was the head PGA professional at the Congressional Country Club. There he established the area’s first dedicated youth golf program, which grew in size, and became a model for many other clubs in the Middle Atlantic. When Bob came to Stoneleigh, he established his youth golf program, as well as the Bob Benning School of Golf. Bob was a legendary teacher, with particular interest in developing youth talent. For years, the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA has held the Bob Benning Classic at Stoneleigh, a 2 day tournament showcasing the up and coming young golfers in the Washington, D.C. area. Bob always attended the tournament, mingling with parents, and encouraging the players. And he always presented the champions’ trophies to the winners. Bob Benning was a great advocate for, and representative of, golf. He will long be remembered, and missed, by many. R. I. P.

GFK

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

–Luke 1:46-55. 

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent. Only 3 more days until Christmas, marking the anniversary of our Lord’s birth. May your final days of preparation be fruitful, and may your heart be comforted by the gift we have been given.

“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell him you have received his Christmas gift.” 

–John R. Rice

 “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently?  And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, ‘Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.’”

 –Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

 “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”

 –Edith Sitwell

 “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”

 –John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley:  In Search Of America

 “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

― Percy Bysshe Shelley, Ode To The West Wind  

Today, December 21, is the first day of Winter.  Where has the Fall gone?

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
– Marcus Aurelius.

GFK

“This Advent we look to the Wise Men to teach us where to focus our attention.  We set our sights on things above, where God is.  We draw closer to Jesus . . . When our Advent journey ends, and we reach the place where Jesus resides in Bethlehem, may we, like the Wise Men, fall on our knees and adore him as our true and only King.”

–Mark Zimmermann.

The United States Supreme Court appears poised to address the right of “birthright citizenship”. Specifically, does the United States Constitution, Amendment 14, bestow the right of citizenship upon any child born in this country, by virtue of his mother stepping foot off a plane, or across the Rio Grande. Can a child of parents not legally permitted to be in the United States claim that their child is a United States citizen?

The notion seems absurd. What country would enact such a stupid provision? Indeed, an examination of the historical record reveals that the purpose of the relevant portion of the 14th Amendment was to ensure that all those African slaves and their descendants present in the United States at that time were considered citizens of the United States. It was a one off.

Now think about this. Legal visitors to the United States are not considered citizens (nor are illegal ones). The children of foreign diplomats present in this country are not considered citizens. Until the early 20th century, American Indians were not citizens of the United States, and that was only accomplished by an act of Congress.

So why are the children of illegal aliens considered citizens? All of the “experts”, judges, lawyers, and legal scholars say that there is no question that the children of illegal aliens are citizens. All the usual suspects–the mainstream media, the Leftists, Democrats, Never Trumpers, and Bush/Romney Republicans–all state flatly that these children are citizens under the United States Constitution, Amendment 14.

The experts are wrong. The usual suspects are wrong. That is my opinion as a lawyer, and as an historian. I could be wrong. I don’t think I am. And frankly, my opinion does not matter as much as that of 5 Supreme Court justices.

Set forth below is an excellent analysis of the question by University of California law professor John Yoo. Professor Yoo previously worked in the George W. Bush Justice Department, where he worked on national security analyses. Professor Yoo is unquestionably a brilliant scholar, and a voice that should be heard in this discussion. I disagree with Professor Yoo’s conclusions, and sincerely pray that he is proven wrong. But in the interest of fair discussion, I invite you to read Professor Yoo’s analysis, perhaps ponder, perhaps do your own research, and come to your own conclusions. Enjoy!

On Friday, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear challenges to President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment automatically makes all babies born on American territory citizens. Trump’s effort to overturn the traditional reading of the constitutional text and history should not succeed.

Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment provided a constitutional definition of citizenship for the first time. It declares that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” In antebellum America, states granted citizenship: they all followed the British rule of jus soli (citizenship determined by place of birth) rather than the European rule of jus sanguinis (citizenship determined by parental lineage). As the 18th-century English jurist William Blackstone explained: “the children of aliens, born here in England, are, generally speaking, natural-born subjects, and entitled to all the privileges of such.” Upon independence, the American states incorporated the British rule into their own laws.

Congress did not draft the 14th Amendment to change this practice, but to affirm it in the face of the most grievous travesty in American constitutional history: slavery. In Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), Chief Justice Roger Taney concluded that slaves — even those born in the United States — could never become American citizens. According to Taney, the Founders believed that Black Americans could never become equal, even though the Constitution did not exclude them from citizenship nor prevent Congress or the states from protecting their rights.

The 14th Amendment directly overruled Dred Scott. It forever prevents the government from depriving any ethnic, religious or political group of citizenship.

In United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), the Supreme Court upheld the citizenship of a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents. 

The only way to avoid this clear reading of the constitutional text is to misread the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Claremont Institute scholars (many of whom I count as friends) laid the intellectual foundations for the Trump executive order; they argue that this phrase created an exception to jus soli. Claremont scholars Edward Erler and John Eastman argue that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” requires that a citizen not only be born on American territory, but that his parents also be legally present. Because aliens owe allegiance to another nation, they maintain, they are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States.

The Claremont Institute reading implausibly holds that the Reconstruction Congress simultaneously narrowed citizenship for aliens even as it dramatically expanded citizenship for freed slaves. There is little reason to understand Reconstruction — which was responsible for the greatest expansion of constitutional rights since the Bill of Rights — in this way.

This argument also misreads the text of “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Everyone on our territory, even aliens, falls under the jurisdiction of the United States. Imagine reading the rule differently. If aliens did not fall within our jurisdiction while on our territory, they could violate the law and claim that the government had no jurisdiction to arrest, try and punish them.

Critics, however, respond that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” must refer to citizen parents or risk being redundant when being born on U.S. territory. But at the time of the 14th Amendment’s ratification, domestic and international law recognized that narrow categories of people could be within American territory but not under its laws. Foreign diplomats and enemy soldiers occupying U.S. territory, for example, are immune from our domestic laws even when present on our soil. A third important category demonstrates that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” was no mere surplusage. At the time of Reconstruction, American Indians residing on tribal lands were not considered subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Once the federal government reduced tribal sovereignty in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it extended birthright citizenship to Indians in 1924.

The 14th Amendment’s drafting supports this straightforward reading. The 1866 Civil Rights Act, passed just two years before ratification of the 14th Amendment, extended birthright citizenship to those born in the U.S. except those “subject to any foreign power” and “Indians not taxed.” The Reconstruction Congress passed the 14th Amendment because of uncertainty over federal power to enact the 1866 Act. If the amendment’s drafters had wanted “jurisdiction” to exclude children of aliens, they could have simply borrowed the exact language from the 1866 act to extend citizenship only to those born to parents with no “allegiance to a foreign power.”

We have few records of the 14th Amendment’s ratification debates in state legislatures, which is why constitutional practice and common-law history are of such central importance. But the few instances in which Congress addressed the issue appear to support birthright citizenship. When the 14th Amendment came to the floor, for example, congressional critics recognized the broad sweep of the birthright citizenship language. Pennsylvania Sen. Edgar Cowan asked supporters of the amendment: “Is the child of the Chinese immigrant in California a citizen? Is the child born of a Gypsy born in Pennsylvania a citizen?” California Sen. John Conness responded in the affirmative. Conness would lose re-election due to anti-Chinese sentiment in California.

Courts have never questioned this understanding of the 14th Amendment. In United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), the Supreme Court upheld the citizenship of a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents. The Chinese Exclusion Acts barred the parents from citizenship, but the government could not deny citizenship to the child. The court declared that “the Fourteenth Amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory, in the allegiance and protection of the country, including all children here born of resident aliens.” The court rejected the claim that aliens are not within “the jurisdiction” of the United States. Critics respond that Wong Kim Ark does not apply to illegal aliens because the parents were in the United States legally. But at the time, the federal government had yet to pass comprehensive immigration laws that distinguished between legal and illegal aliens. The parents’ legal status made no difference.

President Trump is entitled to ask the court to overturn Wong Kim Ark. But his administration must persuade the justices to disregard the plain text of the Constitution, the weight of the historical evidence from the time of the 14th Amendment’s ratification and more than 140 years of unbroken government practice and judicial interpretation.

A conservative, originalist Supreme Court is unlikely to reject the traditional American understanding of citizenship held from the time of the Founding through Reconstruction to today.

____________________________________________________________________

“Life isn’t about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself.”

–George Bernard Shaw.

GFK

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

–Isaiah 12:2-6.

Today is the Reindeer Classic at Chatmoss Country Club. This is a tournament I do not normally play in, due to the press of work that needs to be completed before year’s end. This year there are some compelling reasons to play, with good friends and company. And fortunately, work is not interfering. So, now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer, and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blixen!  To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!  Now dash away!  Dash away! Dash away all! Jingle Bells all the way!

“All your dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

– Walt Disney.

GFK

“Hope is the word that God has given to us for this season of Advent.”

–Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Holland Koontz came home yesterday evening, courtesy of American Airlines. English and I are so blessed and pleased to have our daughter home for Christmas! And so is Dudley!

President Trump announced that he had designated Venezuela as a “terrorist organization”. He also imposed a naval blockade against the country.

The President addressed the nation last evening. I did not watch, as I wanted to spend time with Holland, English, and Dudley. But Dru watched, and he will be updating me. Dru is a huuuuuuuge fan of President Trump!

President Trump is suing the British Broadcasting Corporation for $10 billion for libel. That is a lot of money. And British Members of Parliament are not pleased. Which is not surprising, since politicians are used to lying without consequences.

A Washington, D.C. federal judge refused to halt construction of the President’s proposed ballroom. Will wonders never cease?

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee released internal FBI documents which demonstrate that agents did not believe that they had probable cause to search Mar A Lago for classified documents. The documents further demonstrate that the agents’ professional view held no weight with Attorney General Merrick Garland, or Special Counsel Jack Smith. China Joe was driving this process, seeking to take out his primary political rival.

“These are terrorist organizations that are poisoning our streets.  The President has the authority to do so.  The argument is, is this too close to our shores?  Does anybody doubt that these are terrorist organizations?  Does anybody have a question about these being terrorist organizations?  What’s the difference between Obama attacking these individuals when they were deemed terrorist organizations in the Middle versus the ones that are here right now poisoning our streets?”

–Senator Markwayne Mullins (R. Ok.), pushing back at Democrats’ criticism of the U. S. military’s attacks on drug running boats in the Caribbean Sea.

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton is advising Ukraine to ignore President Trump’s efforts to end the war with Russia, and to lower the draft age from 25-18, in order to get more men into the military. Sadly, John Bolton is a delusional warmonger who cares less for Ukraine than his own vision of a “New World Order”.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R. La.) announced that there would no House of Representatives vote on renewing the expiring emergency Obamacare subsidies this year. GOOD! But moderate Republicans are angry. They want to vote with the Democrats to push this through, even though the subsidies were always temporary, and even though Obamacare is a failed system, and even though we do not have the money to pay for these subsidies. The moderate Republicans should be thanking Speaker Mike Johnson for saving them from their own worst instincts.

Representative Ilhan Omar (D. Mn.) claimed that ICE agents pulled over her son because he was brown skinned. Hmmm. There is no record of ICE agents stopping her son. No records, no videos, no nothing. An “undocumented” stop! Sigh. It seems that the Representative from Mogadishu is making it up again. Anti-American b**ch (rhymes with witch).

Representative Omar’s son was stopped by law enforcement. He received a citation for a traffic violation by Minneapolis police. Is that “racist”? Or is her son not “above the law”?

In downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, crime is so bad that McDonald’s restaurants’ doors are locked during business hours, and that entry to order and consume food is monitored closely. Wow. When you need to permission to order a Big Mac, things are really bad.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, is resigning, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. Well done, faithful servant. Well done, indeed.

“What we know already is, as part of the investigation, is it goes to motive and what is being investigated, as the commissioner has said, is that it would appear, there’s evidence that this was inspired by a terrorist organization, by ISIS.

Now, some of the evidence which has been procured, including the presence of Islamic State flags in the vehicle that has been seized, are a part of that.

Radical perversion of Islam is absolutely a problem. It is something that has been identified globally as a problem as well. ISIS was created by an evil ideology that has been called out not just by the Australian government but globally as well.”

–Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, finally recognizing what the rest of the world already knew.

The thing is, though, what these terrorists did isn’t a radical perversion of Islam. It’s what Islam has been for centuries, and weak leaders like Albanese think they can somehow change it by “understanding” Islamists and integrating Muslims into western civilization. It’s been almost 50 years since the mullahs took over in Iran, and almost 25 years since 9/11, and the problem of Islamist violence has only gotten exponentially worse. And still, leftists like Albanese will claim that Islam is the religion of peace and that if we just strengthen gun control laws and outlaw free speech everything will be just fine.

But it won’t be, and Islamists won’t stop with slaughtering Jews.

“Some of the things President Trump has said and done lead me to believe he is a president who is racist, who is misogynistic, and who is Islamophobic.  And I’ll go further.  I think he’s somebody who is anti-Muslim as well.  My concern about when President Trump says some of the things he does is he normalizes and brings to the mainstream views that I think are unacceptable.”

–London, England Mayor Sadiq Khan, blaming President Trump for the spate of violent Islamic attacks.

President Trump is not “racist”. President Trump is not “misogynistic”. There is no such thing as Islamophobia. And it is a bit rich for a Muslim to blame all the recent Muslim violence on a Christian man. The Muslims are not the victims here.

Speaking of which; when are Representatives Ilhan Omar (D. Mn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D. Mi.) going to condemn the Muslim violence? How about Attorney General Keith Ellison (D. Mn.)? Or New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D.)? WHEN?!?!?

Congratulations to professional golfer Scottie Scheffler on winning the Jack Nicklaus award as the tour’s player of the year in 2025. He was the obvious choice.

Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson has died at age 79. R. I. P.

Former Oakland Raiders head football coach Mike White has died at age 89. He also coached at his alma mater Cal, and led Illinois to a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance. R. I. P.

Actor Gil Gerard, best known for his role as Buck Rogers, has died at age 82. R. I. P.

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”
– Albert Einstein.

GFK

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

–Luke 3:4.

Today’s focus is on why The Stupid Party and voters need to wake up. Now. Because there are no permanent victories or losses in politics. And The Evil Party never gives up, moderates, or learns a lesson. Because they are evil.

Virginia voters slept through the 2025 statewide elections. As a result, “moderate” Abigail Spanberger (D.) was elected Governor, a radical Muslim was elected Lt. Governor, an incompetent, and violent fabulist was elected Attorney General, and the General Assembly’s House of Delegates is solidly populated with Leftist Democrats.

Now admittedly, The Stupid Party’s statewide ticket was less than inspiring. I still do not know what gubernatorial candidate Winsome Sears (R.) stood for, or believed. She was a drag on the down ballot candidates. And to be clear, a lot of the down ballot candidates were schmucks.

But the results in our polarized Commonwealth (and country) does not leave much room for accommodation or error. Virginia endured 4 years under Coonman, and they were a disaster. But what is coming is worse; elimination of the right to work laws, higher taxes, boys in girls sports, the enshrinement of abortion and “same sex marriage” in the Constitution, and the reimposition of California environmental laws and electric vehicle mandates. Virginians will face higher energy and food prices. All because of unified Democrat control in Richmond.

It is too late for the Commonwealth. We are going to suffer. But if voters do not want have the entire United States turned into California, then they need to wake up. They need to educate themselves. They need to support The Stupid Party. And importantly, they need to help The Stupid Party be less stupid. Because if voters do not, then . . . .

Below is an article by Eric Utter, which summarizes (in light-hearted fashion) the likely policy consequences of Democrat victories in 2026 and 2028. Please review and think hard. If you do not want this happening to our country, then please get off the couch and act. And if you do want these things to happen in our country, please emigrate to North Korea, Cuba, or almost anywhere else other than the United States. Thank you.

An emerging Democrat party platform for 2026

By: Eric Utter, The American Thinker (December 8, 2025).

A few years ago, I penned a piece titled Democrat Party Platform 2020 which was viewed many times on several different “platforms,” including this one. (American Thinker always comes first.)

As we approach the 2026 and 2028 elections, I thought it might be a good time to update said piece, especially given current events.

Though Democrats don’t usually say much other than “Trump bad,” “Republicans fascists,” and “no one should ever have the right to disagree with anything we are — and aren’t — saying,” here is what the Democrats’ updated platform appears to be, in a casual format:

*We reserve the right to ban cigarettes, cigars, and pipe and chewing tobacco, while legalizing marijuana and khat sales nationwide, with supply — and demand — spurred by government subsidy.

*We will place additional common-sense restrictions on the sale and manufacture of firearms while simultaneously providing subsidies to our Muslim illegal alien community to help them purchase the knives and swords they so desperately need.

*We will place common-sense restrictions on the practice of Christianity — and its possibly even more evil cohort, nationalism — while providing the welcoming environment that our peaceful and burgeoning Muslim community needs to continue to thrive. We will strive to aid CAIR and other organizations — foreign and domestic — that assist Muslims in continuing to insert — and assert — themselves into Western society.

*We vow to starve ideologically driven faux media outlets like Fox News and the New York Post of all funding, while shutting down any and all platforms they have to reach their audience, while at the same time lavishly funding and supporting unbiased outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, Slate, Salon, the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times, to name a few. Only by utterly eradicating the enemy conservative press can we make sure people get factual information that they can trust to help us protect our beloved democracy and keep Democrats in power for eternity.

*Similarly, we will further enhance empathy, civil discourse, tolerance, and inclusiveness, by attempting to eradicate — by any means necessary — our political opponents from the face of the Earth.

*We vow to enshrine unfettered abortion and medical-assistance-in-dying as inherent human rights, replacing the outmoded First and Second Amendment “rights.”

*We will strive to make it illegal for anyone to sport a Christian or Jewish symbol on their body.

*We will encourage, support — and lavishly fund — the transitioning of one sex or gender to another, regardless of age, parental desire, or overall physical or mental health.  

*We promise also to eradicate any borders or barriers to this great nation filled with bigots, racists, homophobes, transphobes, and deplorable rubes, so that anyone who wishes to come here can do so without fear of deportation. We will do this by taxing the rich at unprecedented levels and diverting much of their income to provide free aid and succor, food, clothing, shelter, healthcare — and a few grand in spending money every month — to those amazing non-citizens (and mostly peaceful non-criminals) who enter this country illegally. The rest will go to erect a stout, 30-foot-high permanent (and electrified) wall around the Capitol so that when Democrats once again control all three branches of government—and we will, very soon, as it is our right — another Jan. 6 can never again occur.

*We will work tirelessly to advance the cause of a Palestinian state while we also work to destroy the state of Israel, Allahu Akhbar! God willing. Who do these uppity Jews think they are, anyway?

*Diversity is our greatest value. Therefore we will stand with those in our Pakistani, Somali, and other non-assimilating undocumented migrant communities, regardless of their proclivity to rape, gang-rape, stab, or otherwise confront their white supremacist oppressors. We will work to overturn the Crapitalist — oops, we mean Capitalist system (giggle), that, though some say has lifted billions out of poverty, has never guaranteed an equal outcome for everybody regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, talent, or effort. We will make sure no one — no one — has more than anyone else. Of anything. No matter what. Will this necessarily disincentivize hard work, effort, employment, competition, excellence, and entrepreneurship? Yes, but equity trumps all. Diversity is to be desired in all things except thought and income. Period!

*As progressives, today we know that someone’s “good” is another’s “evil,” and vice versa. And who are we to judge? Therefore, we vow to promote the new progressive concept of “transmorality,” the ethos that “morality” (such a judgmental word) is not absolute or even knowable, but fluid, just like the Constitution — and everything else. We vow to support, aid, and abet transmoralists everywhere. Trans pride!

GFK

“Through the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

–Luke 1:78-79.

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stayed District Court Judge Boasberg’s criminal contempt proceedings against the Trump Administration. Again.

What is it going to take for the U.S. House of Representatives to impeach, and the Senate to convict, Judge Boasberg, and remove him from office? What?

The San Diego, California Unified School District is teaching students at all grade levels that there are 9 genders, and 28 sexual orientations. In the face of well-deserved criticism, the District’s Superintendent insists that the schools teach students what they need to know to be successful in later life. Uh, huh.

During a recent episode of the California Governor’s podcast:

Governor Hair Gel (D. Ca.)           “I think this notion of toxicity in masculinity needs to be separated, and I think it’s been conflated, and I think we’re gonna have to work on that a little bit.  And I think, look, there is a crisis . . . .”

Governor Tampon Tim (D. Mn.) “I think some of us scare ’em.  I think I scare them a little bit.  It’s why they spend so much time on me.”

Yes, yes, yes. Republicans are very scared of Governor Jazz Hands’s masculinity.

There are 220 billionaires living in California. Apparently State legislators are concerned that these folks might leave California, so precautions must be taken. There is pending a proposed wealth tax, by which anyone living in California in 2025, and who decides to move out of the Golden State, must pay a 5% wealth tax to the State. Surely that is unconstitutional. It certainly is immoral, and tyrannical. And it is economically stupid.

How long do you think it will take before the California legislature applies the wealth tax to mere millionaires? Or to anyone else? Assuredly not long. California is a failed State.

In Moorhead, Minnesota, a 13 year old student at Horizon Middle School was arrested after being found in possession of more than 1,500 fentanyl pills. Oh, my gosh! What in the world is going on?

“It’s not law abiding citizens.  If that were the case, there’s a lot of white men who should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes they have committed.  Each community’s got this in their own midst, but to blame them [Somalis] and say that they should have been responsible for stopping it — I think that’s a pretty hard reach.  I think we continue to educate folks about why they shouldn’t commit crimes.  You would hope that it’s being taught both at home and at schools and in our society.  But no, I think this idea that the Somali community is to blame for this because they didn’t do more — I think that’s how we got into this.”

–Governor Tampon Tim (D. Mn.).

What in the hell is he talking about?  I do not know.  And I doubt he does either.

Democrat Minnesota State legislators are opposing proposed legislation to allow women to purchase a gun immediately for self-defense. Currently, Minnesota requires a 30 day waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm. What is a woman subjected to domestic abuse supposed to do for those 30 days? Move to Florida? This is insane!

Minnesota State legislators also wish to require all prospective gun owners to undergo extensive and expensive training before receiving a firearm. Again, this is wrong.

The right to keep and bear arms is a right, not a privilege. Rights are not subject to waiting periods and training requirements. You don’t have to take a class in penmanship or diction in order to exercise the right to free expression. You do not have to get a government license for permission to attend worship services. You need not need permission to secure a lawyer to represent you in a criminal proceeding. Rights are given by God, not by man, not by government, not by the Minnesota State legislature.

But, but, but . . . is it not true that all rights are subject to limitations? Who told you that? An elected official? Of course that is what they would say. They do not care to be subservient to The Almighty.

Mecklenburg County [North Carolina] Sheriff Garry McFadden (D.) does not like to jail violent criminals. He claims that community outreach and monitoring are superior tools. Besides, jailing violent criminals creates jail overcrowding, and dangerous work for corrections staff. Sigh. Note to Sheriff McFadden: Jailing violent criminals is your job. If you want to engage in community outreach, go find a job as a social worker.

Chicago, Illinois is levying a multitude of new taxes in 2026, including a reinstatement of a “corporate head tax” whereby companies with 100 or more employees pay a monthly tax per employee. Chicago abolished the corporate head tax years ago when it failed to raise money due to employers either moving out of the city, or reducing payrolls. Nevertheless, Chicago’s clueless Mayor Brandon Johnson (D.) insists that there is no evidence that the corporate head tax is a “job killer”.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s art board has voted to return the iconic statue of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa to the top of the Philadelphia Art Museum’s stairs. It is about time!

Washington, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith resigned suddenly. Now we know why. It seems that the DEI hire resigned in disgrace when it came to light that crime statistics were falsified to show dramatically lower crime rates, at her specific direction.

Remember when the mainstream media went nuts over the deployment of National Guard troops to D.C., claiming that crime was at a “30 year low”? We told you that they were lying. And they were.

Actress Amanda Seyfried thinks that socialism is “gorgeous”, and that it just means that we are “supposed to take care of each other”. Clearly this woman attended a public high school after 1980, and has not a clue what socialism actually is in practice. Perhaps she should watch documentaries of life in the Soviet Union, and be forced to visit Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela.

Australia’s Prime Minister called for stricter gun control in the wake of the Sydney mass shooting at a Hannukah celebration. More gun control in a country where it is virtually impossible to own a gun is not the answer. Guns did not murder those Jewish celebrants. Hate did. Anti-Semitism did. Allowing the immigration of radicalized Muslims who refuse to assimilate did. Until Australia addresses the true causes of this violence, nothing will change. It will only get worse.

The Observations has written before, and does so again today, that Islam is incompatible with Western Civilization and Western values. We also question whether Islam is truly a religion. It is our view that Islam is a radical political structure and view, intent on conquest, and the elimination of Western Civilization, Christianity, and Judaism. This is evident throughout history, to the present day.

But we do not have to go as far back as the Crusades, or the Moorish occupation of Spain, to illustrate the violence perpetrated by Muslims against the West. We can look at the Muslim invasion of Europe and the United States, where they establish ghettoes where they live, refusing all assimilation. Let us examine the following non-exhaustive list of Muslim violence in near modern times:

The Nice Attack = Muslim
The Paris Attacks = Muslims
The Shoe Bomber = Muslim
The Orlando attack = Muslim
The Beltway Snipers = Muslims
The Fort Hood Shooter = Muslim
The Underwear Bomber = Muslim
The Westminster Attack = Muslim
The 2005 Bali Bombings = Muslims
The murder of Lee Rigby = Muslims
The U.S.S. Cole Bombers = Muslims
The London Bridge Attack = Muslims
The Madrid Train Bombers = Muslims
The Charlie Hebdo Attacks = Muslims
The San Bernardino Attacks = Muslims
The Surabaya bombings = Muslims
The Minnesota Mall stabbings = Muslim
The 7/7 bombers = Muslims
The Moscow Theatre Attackers = Muslims
The Boston Marathon Bombers = Muslims
The Ankara Airport Attack = Muslims
The Manchester Arena bombing = Muslim
The Pan-Am #103 Bombers = Muslims
The Iranian Embassy Takeover = Muslims
The Air France Hijackers = Muslims
The 2002 Bali Nightclub = Muslims
The Batta Meena Attacks = Muslims
The Beirut Embassy bombers = Muslims
The Libyan U.S. Embassy Attack = Muslims
The Yazidi Massacre of 2014 = Muslims
The Beheading of French priest = Muslims
The Buenos Aires bombers = Muslims
The Israeli Olympic Team = Muslims
The Kenyan U.S Embassy = Muslims
The Khobar Towers Bombers = Muslims
The Beirut Marine bombers = Muslims
The Besian School Attackers = Muslims
The First WTC bombers = Muslims
The Beheading of Daniel Pearl = Muslims
The Achille Lauro Hijackers = Muslims
The Bombay Attackers = Muslims
The 9/11 hijackers = Muslims

Add to this list the shootings at Brown University in Rhode Island, and at the Hannukah celebration in Sydney. Also, yesterday the FBI announced the arrest of 4 Muslims who were plotting to ignite bombs in Los Angeles, California.

When will this end? More importantly, what are we–the West–going to do to bring this to an end?

Permitting the immigration of Muslims into the United States and other Western countries must end. Pressuring Israel, and demanding the establishment of a “Palestinian” State must end. Coddling hostile Islamic regimes such as Iran must end.

It is not a call for a war on Muslims to simply observe that, generally speaking, Muslims cannot peacefully co-exist in Western countries with Christians and Jews. They cannot. In human marriage relationships, we have long recognized the concept of divorce as a solution to a couple who simply cannot live together. This is no different. Let the Muslims co-exist in their own societies, while lovers of freedom, liberty, and Western values, Christians and Jews, live and co-exist in their own societies. Otherwise, the violence will only get worse. And since the West so far has been reluctant to engage, Islam will be the winner in this clash of civilizations.

By the way; yes, I know that the man who stopped the Sydney massacre by tackling one of the gunmen was a Muslim immigrant. The exception does not make the rule.

“Someone who says I am against abortion but in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro life.”

–Pope Leo.

Vatican City is a completely walled city, with high, impenetrable walls.  Access is through few controlled entrances, and the entire city is patrolled by heavily armed Swiss Guards.  The unauthorized entry into Vatican City is a serious crime, which is strictly enforced.  So with all due respect, the Pope is a hypocrite.

“But then, they always blame America first.”

–former United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, speaking at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas.

Democrats want the United States involved in the Ukrainian/Russian war, even though the United States maintains no treaty relationships with Ukraine, and Ukraine is of no strategic interest to the United States. Democrats are opposed to the United States military bombing drug boats transporting narcotics that kill Americans, in the Western Hemisphere, America’s backyard, and actually enforcing international sanctions by seizing tankers carrying sanctioned oil. Why?

Democrats were opposed to enforcing sanctions on Iran, and the United States’ bombing of that country’s nuclear weapon facilities. Democrats are sympathetic to the Arabs who daily threaten Israel’s very existence, and demand that the so-called “Palestinians” receive their own State, even though Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East, and the only functioning free society in that part of the world. Why?

Democrats do not want to drill for oil in the United States, but are willing to depend upon foreign countries run by Islamic dictators for our oil needs. Democrats are opposed to American companies selling natural gas to European countries, and are perfectly content with requiring those same European countries to rely on Russia for their oil and natural gas needs, providing Russia with the hard currency necessary to prosecute its war against Ukraine. Why?

The Observations could go on and on with these examples, but the central question is always “why”? Why do Democrats maintain these contradictory positions? It is very simple. Democrats oppose everything that is good for America, and support everything that is good for foreign Leftist movements and countries.

Do you think we are being too harsh? Well consider this; whose side were Democrats on during The Cold War, America’s or the Soviet Union’s? Who did the Democrats support, the communist North Vietnam, or U.S. aligned South Vietnam? Did the Democrats support the freedom loving Contras, or the Soviet aligned Sandinistas in Nicaragua? How about Cuba? Nothing has changed since then. The Blame America First crowd is firmly ensconced in the Democrat Party.

“F**k all the [Heisman Trophy] voters.”

–Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

Apparently, Diego Pavia is upset that he did not win the Heisman Trophy this year.

Actor/Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead, murdered in their Los Angeles, California home. Police have arrested their son, Nick, for the murders. Horrific. R. I. P.

Actor Anthony Geary, who played the character, Luke, on ABC’s General Hospital, has died at age 78. R. I. P.

“Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.”
– Booker T. Washington.

GFK