Post #7768 M: Jon Stewart on Lindsey Graham's Death & America's Geriatric Political Class; Tom Woods: 11 Arguments Against Democratic Soclalism; How we took on the IRS…and WON

 Quote of the Day

It is impossible for a man to learn 

what he thinks he already knows.

Epictetus  

Jon Stewart on Lindsey Graham's Death & America's Geriatric Political Class

Tom Woods: 11 Arguments Against Democratic Socialism

 How we took on the IRS…and WON

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Pat Bagley via  Politico

Musical Interlude: 1964 Top 100 Hits

I Love You More And More Every Day - Al Martino

Post #7767 M: Platner Calls It Quits in Maine Race & Trump’s Qatari Bribe Plane Gets Grounded; Great Moments in Unintended Consequences (Vol. 22); Robert Reich's deceptive data tricks

 Quote of the Day

We have, I fear, confused power 

with greatness.

Stewart Udall 

Platner Calls It Quits in Maine Race & Trump’s Qatari Bribe Plane Gets Grounded

Great Moments in Unintended Consequences (Vol. 22)

Robert Reich's deceptive data tricks

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Matt Davies via Politico

Musical Interlude: 1964 Top 100 Hits

Anyone Who Had A Heart - Dionne Warwick

Post #7766 M: Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire "Over" & Goes No-Contact with Spain; Why Federal Prosecutors Have Too Much Power; McClanahan on Five Words That Changed America

 Quote of the Day

There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently 

that which should not be done at all.

Peter F. Drucker  

Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire "Over" & Goes No-Contact with Spain

Why Federal Prosecutors Have Too Much Power

McClanahan on Five Words That Changed America

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of John Darkow via Politico

Musical Interlude: 1964 Top 100 Hits

The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations

Post #7765 M: Trump Meddles in USA World Cup Game & America's 250th Takes a Nosedive; McClanahan on The Declaration as the Constitution?; Stossel on Why Socialism's Biggest Fans (Sanders, Mamdani, Piker) are Often Rich

 Quote of the Day

Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, 

you are right.

Henry Ford  

Trump Meddles in USA World Cup Game & America's 250th Takes a Nosedive

McClanahan on The Declaration as the Constitution?

Stossel on Why Socialism's Biggest Fans (Sanders, Mamdani, Piker) are Often Rich

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Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Rick McKee via Politico

Musical Interlude: 1964 Top 100 Hits

Funny (How Time Slips Away) - Joe Hinton

Post #7764 Social Media Digest

 Facebook 

X/Twitter

You mean like Trump casting his ballot for Obama in 2008? pic.twitter.com/O2USlfc2IJ

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

Trump is still trying to sell $60 Trump Bibles to Trumpkins. https://t.co/O2vT8htob0

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

We don't need a cheesy nationalist POTUS ignoring individual accomplishment. He's just a breath away from Cherokee Lizzies' "You didn't build that." https://t.co/2KX2bdwP1V

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

Trump s now channeling his inner Joe McCarthy. https://t.co/wiY7rC9gML

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

Never rely on outlier/improbable polls. Whereas Republicans approve beyond the average 40% Trump job approval, only Trumpkin sycophants have approached the meme's range, and Google reports the CBS GOP numbers are more like 88-92% https://t.co/iPCmyKBr6p pic.twitter.com/eheIVtGvqO

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

The only constitutional direct federal tax (without apportionment) is the income tax by the 16th Amendment. Apportioned state tax assessments are complex. pic.twitter.com/xUz5kBM4Nh

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

I think we should all send Melania a sympathy card. Imagine waking up to that in the morning...

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

No. He's a prosecutor without judicial experience.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

I can't hear the clip, but Trump sucks at being an inspirational speaker. He lives in a petty, black & white world who seems inarticulate without some convenient scapegoat. As an IT professional I've inherited innumerable messes over the years but never bitched about it. https://t.co/5dGtAQQEwZ

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

This is Soft Rock America. Time for vintage Cheap Trick: https://t.co/r2uhztC7L1 https://t.co/HwSxKFwohM

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 5, 2026

OMG. How embarrassing is it to be an American with Trump as POTUS? The Cheater-in-Chief pushed FIFA to waive a 1-game suspension for an American soccer star. Real Americans play by the rules like everyone else. https://t.co/fFK3f7ra1P

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

McCartney reportedly sang "I want to hold your hand" for the first time in 60 years at the wedding of a football player and some female entertainer. Forget the wedding; I want to see the performance

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

Why ae so many people hateful about babies? Are we really going to ban fertile women from visiting the US? https://t.co/0fLxdtpNpw

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

No! The American heresy of nationalism and imperialism, personified by the evil Teddy Roosevelt, who Trump hero-worships, was a dark moment in American history Trump wants to revive. https://t.co/pKLwAAh3os

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

Trump needs to go back on his meds. He's trying to make Joe McCarthy relevant again. He's resorted to his juvenile tactic of name-calling because with a 40% approval rating, his party is facing a second midterm ass-kicking. The dude who invested the US in INTC is talking commies? https://t.co/CVTrz2QMf7

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

Real Americans engage in sportsmanship, not rule-bending jingoistic nationalist rubbish. It is embarrassing that the corrupt political whore Trump is trying to intimidate FIFA.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

Bringing bankruptcy to the common folks, so everyone can go bankrupt 6 times, not just Trump! https://t.co/EYfw9aXRd7

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

So a politically desperate Trump and Congressional GOP leadership before a likely midterm ass-kicking is trying to abuse the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process. Election rules are obviously pollcy not budgetary, so any competent Senate parliamentarian will deny it.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 6, 2026

I'm glad to see Trump's corrupt attempt to rig the soccer World Cup in favor of the US ultimately failed.
Trump has humiliated and disgraced the US with his unsportsmanlike behavior. pic.twitter.com/YUj2WRUDiQ

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

Good. Trump has stolen money from the American public with his unconstitutional tariffs and wars, and all the GOP Congress has done is kiss his ass. Reump must be held accountable for his misconduct.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

It's sad when the J6 pipebomber is arguing that he qualifies for Trump's pardon for violent J6 criminals. Apparently, Trump's JD is arguing that the bombs were planted before the riots, and so he doesn't qualify. Apparently, beating Capitol police is more equal than bombs. pic.twitter.com/lzA7gAcRON

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

What motivated the exchange? pic.twitter.com/H2SMfoxFmq

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

The political whore Trump had nothing to do with Walmart's price cuts. In fact, it was Trump's unconstitutional tariffs that led Walmart to increase prices earlier this year. Customers respond to price increases and tight budgets with fewer purchases, the law of supply & demand. https://t.co/xYJeuOUXTu

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

I don't know why Trump is comparing himself to Taylor Swift. Upset over not getting an invitation to her wedding, which outdrew all 3 of his own? And if McCartney performed at a Trump event, I bet he would sing "The Fool on the Hill". https://t.co/6YHxUommsr

not gtting

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

WWE is beyond predictable. Given big rumors of a Rhodes/Punk clash at upcoming SummerSlam, new WWE champ Zayn was set for a rematch with ex-champ Rhodes. Rhodes gets taken out. We're in Chicago, the home base of Punk, who hasn't wrestled since losing the World title at Mania.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

No to Trump's unconstitutional imperialistic designs on Greenland and elsewhere. I'm fine with reducing our overseas base footprint and Europe taking the lead on regional defense. Trump's diplomatic bullying and incompetence continue to erode America's global image. pic.twitter.com/yV8VnAfSaZ

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

"A CNN poll ranks Donald Trump as the worst U.S. president, placing him last at 47th out of 47 presidents."

X has been debunked by Google. CNN does not do historical comparative surveys. Maybe a few pairwise comparisons, e.g., with Barry Obama. pic.twitter.com/bdovbAiJVA

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

Despite stable borders with neighboring countries, the country has been at war almost continuously for over a century. Trump has spent trillions on defense more than the combined resources of the next highest countries, and he uses that money unlawfully. "America First", my ass! https://t.co/V0GroyWZmT

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

We need to embrace immigration and reject toxic Trumpkin xenophobia.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 7, 2026

My latest essay looks at 3 recent SCOTUS decisions that didn't go Trump's way.https://t.co/tgsgbOQwv1

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 8, 2026

Actually, Trump is routinely wrong about everything. He has competed in 3 elections, never winning a majority. He lost the 2020 election, no matter what the sore loser insists to his minions. It's a fact, confirmed by over 60 lawsuits & the official Electoral College results. https://t.co/8NXsVtIRl2

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 8, 2026

He was wrong about Mexico paying for his wall. He's convicted of passing hush money to a porn actress as a business expense. He was impeached twice, convicted of sexual abuse, charged over his illegal interference in the GA election & charged in 2 multi-count federal indictments. https://t.co/68ZwvjwdQO

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 8, 2026

This Congress has done nothing on fiscal reform; we still have a baked-in $2T deficit; senior entitlements are closer to reserve exhaustion and automatic benefit cuts. Johnson has done nothing to stop Trump's tariffs or illegal wars. https://t.co/zK3I3M3uKK

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 8, 2026

Sigh. He's just like the leftists who threatened to leave the US if they lost the election. I don't think I've ever heard a single track of his. I won't miss anything.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 8, 2026

This is Soft Rock America. One of my favorite vocalists, Bonnie Tyler, has passed. I once compared her raspy voice to a female Rod Stewart. Best known for the 80's megahit "Total Eclipse of the Heart", my personal favorite:https://t.co/Qj5rT425Gl

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 9, 2026

Trump is an ignorant bastard, and you don't need my 2 math degrees to understand his percentage figures are rubbish. No, Trump's illegal protectionist policies don't work; charging American patients more for foreign drugs hurts price competition. Lower barriers to entry! https://t.co/HhpB5sMeBc

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 9, 2026

Can we stop the insanity of using public funds to put narcissist Trump's brand on everything from public buildings to savings accounts and prescription portals? Like I would trust a moron who once spitballed whether we could inject something like cleaners to cure COVID.

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 9, 2026

Trump is a born liar. Debunking him is like playing a game of Whac-a-Mole. He recently claimed that he has negotiated the lowest drug prices in the world. pic.twitter.com/AoYL1mnJDV

— raguillemette (@raguillemette) July 9, 2026

Post #7763 M: Trump’s State Fair Not “Packed to the Brim” ; McClanahan on The Anti-Federalists Were Right!...Sorta; Why Europeans Are WRONG About America

 Quote of the Day

In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, 

but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson

Trump’s State Fair Not “Packed to the Brim” 

McClanahan on The Anti-Federalists Were Right!...Sorta

Why Europeans Are WRONG About America

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Political C\artoon

Courtesy of M. Wuerker via Politico

Musical Interlude: 1964 Top 100 Hits

Leader Of The Pack - Shangri-Las

Post #7762 J

Endemic Report

Latest CDC stats (deaths not updated)

The Sick Times:

Well, we definitely see a slight uptick, with infections spreading beyond the Southeast, including TX, PA, and CA, although aggregate stats are barely off multi-year lows. Probably the biggest news story was Friday's deadline for taxpayers penalized during the pandemic disaster relief period to file for refunds.

COVID news items include:

• "Long-term ocular symptoms following COVID-19 linked to immune dysregulation, dysautonomia and peripheral neuropathy"
• "JN.1 and KP.2 COVID-19 Vaccines Yield Similar Antibody Responses"
• "New study: COVID-19 vaccines cut hospitalizations by more than 50%"
• "Symptom-Based Rehabilitation Program Improves Quality of Life in Post–COVID-19 Condition"
• "Same-Day COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Does Not Raise Adverse Event Risk, Large VA Study Finds"
• "COVID‑19 Cicada Variant Spreads"
• "Maternal Immunization Boosts Infant Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake"
• "SARS-CoV-2 Infection May Increase Short-Term Risk for Type 1 Diabetes"
• "COVID-related healthcare costs drop sharply 3 months after acute infection, study suggests"
• "Expert: Most COVID-19 cases now mild despite QC spike"
• "Diabetes worsens long Covid complications"
• "Paxlovid safe for children age 6 and up, new data reveal"
• "US life expectancy on the rise thanks to sharp drop in overdoses, COVID-19 deaths"
• "Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Does Not Affect Early Childhood Neurodevelopment"
• "Cognitive Rehabilitation May Help Treat Long Covid, Study Says"
• "Metformin Fails to Reduce Long COVID Risk in Low-Risk Adults"
• "Researchers develop diagnostic model to detect COVID-related eye problems"
• "Vaxart Reports Topline 12-Month Safety Data From the 400-Participant Sentinel Safety Cohort of the Phase 2b Clinical Trial of Its Oral Pill COVID-19 Vaccine"
• "Study links mild COVID-19 to severe long-term eye damage"
• "Mexico expects to have its Covid-19 vaccine ready before the end of the year"
• "Moderna (MRNA) Settles Vaccine Patent Case With $950 Million Upfront Payment"
• COVID relief fraud/other crimes:
• "Former state senator, casino owner accused of misusing COVID-19 relief funds pleads guilty"
• "Concord Casino Owner Admits Misusing $255K In COVID-19 Relief, Pleads Guilty To Federal Theft Count"

• Political/legal issues:
• "RFK Jr. plans to create list of injuries caused by Covid-19 vaccines"
• "Cal/OSHA Wins Bid for $185,000 Covid-19 Fines Against Restaurant"
• "Ramaswamy’s misleading COVID attack ads on Acton omit his own pandemic advocacy"
• "Judge to weigh competing requests in COVID bar shutdown lawsuit"
• "FBI Workers Denied Class Status in Vaccine Mandate Challenge"
• "47% Suspect COVID-19 Vaccine Was Deadly for Some"

Other Notes

The blog continues to see elevated pageviews, perhaps a new normal. I published my first July essay (on recent SCOTUS decisions), and I expect to soon write a rant on Trump's meddling during the World Cup. . On Twitter/X, followers are a few off, and oddly, I noticed that I got the most impressions on my comment of Trump comparing himself to Taylor Swift on TikTok. 

I've finally lost 3 pounds below my low while I was in rehab following a medical issue last year. It isn't that hard to lose weight on hospital food with dietary restrictions and strict portion control. But on your own, and dealing with a lower metabolism as you age, weight loss can be challenging, but I'm back to my weight range in the 90's when I had and used a gym membership in the Chicago suburbs. I'm still well over the range while I served as a Navy ensign, my biggest target.