White House Ballroom, Who Is Stupid?

Trump and his administration think the American people are really stupid.  Or at least dumber than they are.

When asked if they consulted anyone for permission and guidance before destroying the East Wing of the White House, their answer was they were told you don't need permission to tear something down.  You only need permission for "construction — vertical build".  So by that rationalization Trump wouldn't need permission to tear down the entire White House?  He'd just need permission to construct a new White House?  You mean the new gold plated "Donald Trump Executive Mansion"?

The "vertical build" is not some technical jargon, it is word shit to keep the paving of the Rose Garden and the erection of the new White House flag poles out of the discussion.

Trump claims that he and some of his friends will pay for the new ballroom (originally estimated to cost $200 to $250 million).  He may extort money from his "friends", but I don't believe he will put any of his own money into the venture.  Trump also just filed for a $230 million payment for the suffering he took because of his two indictments for the January 6 riots and the national security documents he stole and hid at Mar-a-Lago.  Indictments that he would have probably been convicted on if he hadn't won the 2024 election.  He filed the suits knowing that he and his surrogates have the sole legal authority to authorize the payment to him (you can't make this stuff up).  Does the $230 million sound close to any current project Trump might like to fund?  If it is not needed for the ballroom, he can take a tax deduction and give it to his presidential library to cover the expenses of flying around in his Qatari jet until it is needed to go in the library. 

When asked about what the new ballroom would be called, Trump said something like he hadn't really thought about it, but probably  "The White House Ballroom".  BS!  The whole purpose of  the new ballroom is to get his name on it.

Trump claims the country needs the new ballroom so Presidents don't have to erect big tents on the South Lawn every time for the large, lavish dinners required for a foreign leader's state visit.

I did some checking.  I could only find about a dozen such events in the last 10 years.  I also checked about roughly how many venues there are in DC that could house 800 people.  The estimate was about 30 to 60 locations.  Even many more if you include the areas surrounding DC. 

I can understand there might be some security issues using some building not on the White House grounds, but they hold national political conventions in public buildings.  And there are some government buildings that are already big enough.

How much more would it cost to build a dedicated national ballroom at a different location?  The ballroom could then more easily be used for other large governmental events.  It might also make it easier to implement another of Trump's goals for the new building.

My instinct is, as Deep Throat said, "Follow the money".  I've got to believe Trump has got some plan to monetize the new ballroom.  Imagine how much magettes would pay to be able to say, I had my wedding, wedding reception, birthday party, bar/bat mitzva, funeral, etc. in "The Donald J. Trump White House Golden Ballroom". Cha-ching!

To Win War, Promise Trump The Peace Prize

President Zelensky may now have an opportunity to win the war with Russia.

It is widely believed that Trump was able to get a cease fire in Gaza and the return of the hostages because he put maximum pressure on all leaders in the Middle East, especially Israel and Hamas . He put the pressure on these leaders not because he had some altruistic goal to end the fighting and suffering. He did it because he so badly wants a Nobel Peace Prize. The fact that he didn't win this year may have provided an opening for a new approach to the issue.

President Zelensky should contact the Nobel Peace Prize Committee and tell them they have a chance to not just reward people working for peace after the fact, they can actually encourage peace themselves. Zelensky should talk to the Committee and ask for a commitment to give Trump the peace prize if he gets Putin to agree to and implement the following:

• Complete cease fire and removal from all hostile troops from Ukraine.

• Return all Ukrainian territory Russia has taken. That includes Crimea and the areas taken before the most recent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

• Return all the Ukrainian children that were kidnapped.

• Allow Ukraine security measures like joining the European Union and NATO, and allowing U.S. and European troops to train in Ukraine.

Zelensky could then go quietly to Trump and explain if he can get Putin to agree to these four items, the Nobel Committee has committed to give Trump the peace prize. All the parties can agree to keep the agreement secret if that is needed.

Trump's ego will demand that he make whatever effort is needed to accomplish the task.  Full sanctions on Russia.  Unlimited funds.  Cruise missiles and other sophisticated equipment.

Given Trump's declining mental abilities, I think he should be warned that starting a nuclear war with Russia will invalidate the whole agreement.  

Zip Ties For Children

This cartoon is not intended to be funny.  It may seem disingenuous and outrageous, but not if you've been following the news.

ICE agents stormed an apartment house in Chicago the other night.  They were allegedly looking for two gang members.  From what was reported, they had no warrants.  They broke down doors for each apartment, stormed in and rousted people from their sleep, beds and apartments.  They dragged people, including children, outside.  Some were in pajamas, some were naked.

People were handcuffed.  Children had their hands zip tied together.  Many were kept outside for hours.  Included were U.S. citizens.  Citizens were released only after ICE independently confirmed that they actually were citizens.  In some cases that took hours.  I guess you have to keep your passport in your pajama pocket.

When you couple that with Trump telling our top generals and admirals that they should consider using U.S. cities and citizens for military training, the cartoon doesn't look so outrageous.

Maybe ICE should get some hand ties made just for kids so they won't be so traumatized when they are cuffed.

The sooner Republicans wake up and demand Trump be removed from office, the better off our country will be.

Would You Accept Tickets To White House UFC Fight?

What idiot decided it is a good idea to hold a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) at the White House?

Oh yeah, our idiot king.  Oops, I meant our idiot president, but why?  And are there no adults in the White House that can tell Trump this is a bad idea?  Are there no Senators or Representatives who love and respect our country and our White House enough to speak up and try to stop this?  So far it looks like they are all expecting ring side seats.

I've heard the fighters are going to walk out of the Oval Office on their way to the ring.  What The Hell!

I think that Trump is a very sick man and I am worried about the damage he is doing to our country.  

If you were offered a seat at this UFC fight, would you say "Yes" or "No" or "Hell No!".

If you said "Hell No", please call and/or write your Senators and Representative to tell them they need to speak up and help save our country.  We really need Republicans and MAGA to stand up and say "Enough is enough".  The app "5 Calls" will help you with understanding issues and contacting politicians.

There is another nation wide protest on October 18th.  Please attend a protest and let MAGA know Trump is hurting the country much more than he is helping it.  We don't need or want a king.  I've got to believe much of MAGA knows this and it is not what they signed up for.  The country needs their help now.

One more thing, I read the purse for the fight is $100 million.  Where is all the money to stage this event coming from?  There better not be even one cent from the U.S. government.  How much is the U.S. going to receive for use of the White House and the grounds?  Who is going to pay for any damage done to the White House or the grounds?  How much money will go to Trump or his family or his friends?  Again, the "not one cent" rule should apply (lot's of luck with that).  

Who is going to pay for the damage done to the reputation of the United States of America, once known as a super power and the leader of the free world?  I hope that will be Trump and Republicans in November, 2026.