Reality Check
On The State Of Things
Introduction
These are my observations on the state of the world at the moment. You know what I will be talking about.
The State Of Things
There are various things I want to make some points about. People keep saying that Donald Trump has the lowest opinion poll for any post-war US president, but the point is that he is still the US president and can get away with almost anything he wants.
The Democrats were in for four years, and despite Trump's thug army attacking the Capitol, no provisions were put in place to stop a convicted felon from becoming president. Now he's back, the only ones that suffered from that heinous attack are the policemen (and their families) that Trump's thugs murdered and hospitalised.
He is crashing the economy to allow billionaires to do insider trading while he imposes and withdraws tariffs, and the only people who pay for that are the ones who pay taxes.
People say he'll be gone in four years, but remember, part of his campaign to get in was "Vote for me and you will never have to vote again".
A big problem is that his opposition plays by the rules while he ignores them and does what he wants, like a school bully with the backing of the headmaster.
Trump can only get away with what he gets away with because of whoever is manipulating him behind the scenes, which may have been Musk or Putin or both, or someone else.
So, Trump may have very low approval ratings, but he is still in power when he should be behind bars.
Then we come on to Elon Musk. We get daily updates about the huge amount of money he is losing, but when it all comes down to it, he is still a billionaire; he can afford to lose big, it doesn't affect him really.
The only time we can celebrate Elon Musk's demise is he he is declared bankrupt (although Trump has had at least six and he became president of the USA).
Like many bullies, we are told they will get their comeuppance through the correct procedures, but people like this ignore the correct procedures and are not held accountable for anything because "It's just the way they are".
If most people break the law, they are held to account, arrested, tried, fined, jailed or whatever, but they do pay for breaking the law.
In the UK, we have the thrift shop Trump Nigel Farridge (that's how it is pronounced, not the French Farage) who was instrumental in destroying the UK economy by removing it from the biggest trading bloc in the world. He did this with the help of the incompetent right-wing Tories, and now he is back with a rebranded Nazi party, Reform, full of xenophobes and mysoginists.
Winston Churchill famously said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others.
The problem with democracy is that every right-wing, racist moron's vote carries the same weight as mine.
Since the 1970's wage suppression has become the norm, and when people don't have enough money, many look for someone to blame, and thanks to the media, it is seldom the employers, so they blame immigrants, refugees, the sick, the old, the poor.
David Mitchell recently wrote about a poll in the UK that stated that "Gen Z" (19-27) thought a dictatorship would be good. This is a link:
Conclusion
Thank you for reading, I know it's not great reading but there are countries that are getting it right. Canada elected Mark Carney (who fought against Brexit as the head of the Bank of England), and France banned the right-wing Le Pen from standing for President for embezzlement (a lesson for the USA there).
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Two Wounded in a Shooting with U.S. Federal Agents in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, once again found itself at the center of a national debate after two people were wounded in a shooting involving U.S. federal agents in early January. The incident, which unfolded in a residential area of Southeast Portland, has raised serious questions about the role of federal law enforcement in American cities, the use of force during immigration operations, and the growing divide between federal agencies and local governments. As investigations continue, the shooting has become more than a single law-enforcement encounter. It now symbolizes deeper political, legal, and social tensions that have been simmering for years in Portland and across the United States. What Happened in Portland According to initial reports, the incident occurred during what federal authorities described as a targeted enforcement operation. Agents from the Department of Homeland Security, including officers connected to Customs and Border Protection, attempted to stop a vehicle in Southeast Portland. Federal officials claim that during the stop, the situation escalated rapidly. They allege that the driver attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon, placing agents in immediate danger. In response, at least one federal agent discharged a firearm, striking two individuals inside the vehicle. The wounded individuals later sought medical assistance, prompting local Portland police to respond. Importantly, city police confirmed they were not involved in the federal operation itself and only became aware of the incident after emergency calls were made. Both individuals were transported to a hospital and were reported to be in stable condition. One of the wounded was later taken into federal custody following treatment. Conflicting Narratives and Unanswered Questions As with many high-profile law-enforcement shootings, competing narratives quickly emerged. Federal authorities framed the shooting as a matter of self-defense, emphasizing that agents faced a life-threatening situation. They also suggested that the individuals involved may have been connected to organized criminal activity, though these claims have not been independently verified in court. Local leaders and civil rights advocates, however, expressed alarm. Portland officials questioned why heavily armed federal agents were conducting operations in residential neighborhoods without coordination with local law enforcement. Critics argue that such actions increase the risk of violence and undermine public trust. At the heart of the controversy is transparency. Many residents are demanding the release of body-camera footage, clear explanations of the agentsā authority, and answers about whether de-escalation tactics were used before gunfire erupted. Reaction from City and State Leaders Portlandās city leadership responded swiftly. The mayor and several city council members publicly called for a pause on federal immigration enforcement operations within city limits until a full investigation is completed. Oregonās governor echoed those concerns, describing the shooting as ādeeply troublingā and emphasizing the need to protect community safety while respecting the rule of law. The state attorney general announced an independent review to determine whether the federal agents acted within legal boundaries. This pushback reflects a long-standing tension between Oregonās state policies ā which emphasize sanctuary protections ā and federal enforcement strategies that prioritize aggressive immigration operations. Community Response and Public Protests The shooting sparked immediate protests across Portland. Demonstrators gathered near federal buildings and downtown streets, holding signs calling for accountability and chanting against what they described as the āmilitarizationā of immigration enforcement. For many community members, especially immigrants and people of color, the incident intensified existing fears. Advocacy groups warned that federal operations conducted without local oversight can create a climate of fear, discouraging residents from reporting crimes or cooperating with authorities. Protesters also linked the Portland shooting to a broader national pattern, citing other recent incidents involving federal agents and civilians. To them, the shooting was not an isolated case, but part of a systemic issue demanding national attention. A Broader National Debate The Portland incident comes at a time when the United States is deeply divided over immigration policy and federal power. Supporters of strong federal enforcement argue that agents must be allowed to act decisively to combat serious crime, including gang activity and human trafficking. They contend that restricting federal operations would leave dangerous individuals free to operate. Opponents counter that aggressive tactics often blur the line between law enforcement and military action. They argue that without accountability and local cooperation, federal agents risk violating civil liberties and escalating routine encounters into deadly confrontations. Legal experts also point out that holding federal agents accountable can be challenging due to complex jurisdictional rules and legal protections, further fueling public frustration. What Happens Next Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, with federal and state authorities reviewing evidence, witness statements, and operational protocols. Whether disciplinary action, policy changes, or legal consequences will follow remains uncertain. What is clear is that the shooting has reignited a conversation Portland knows well ā about who holds power, how it is exercised, and at what cost. For now, the city waits. Residents, activists, and officials alike are watching closely, aware that the outcome of this case could shape the future of federal enforcement not only in Portland, but across the country.
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (5)
Totally agree with you Mike, but right now I live with my sister who is a Trump supporter to the hilt. Good job.
š¢š¢š¢ Living this reality now! Sad and scary!
Finally, someone tells it how it is. I still can't get over how you can have a convicted felon as a President.
And I live in Kansas where expressing such opinions can get you lynched--at the very least figuratively if not literally. I don't talk much around here. My autism is mostly just an excuse.
We have to keep speaking out. I am really worried about the future of this country.