News and Views on the Global Stage

TDS
My Take

Trump Trumps Himself with His Post That Rob Reiner Died from Trump Derangement Syndrome

When I criticize President Trump, it’s not because I oppose the man or his policies. I voted for him three times. However, his words and actions may now be sinking Republican chances not only in 2026 but in 2028 as well. His immigration policies and what has been termed an affordability crisis have been the most visible catalysts not only in his approval rating’s tanking but also in recent Republican losses by wide margins in gubernatorial, mayoral, and other races. Trump has now added disrespect for someone whom a family member apparently murdered to probable causes for voter disapproval and distancing themselves from the MAGA movement. I’m referring, of course, to the weekend death of Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner, whom Trump suggested died due to the effects of Trump derangement syndrome. Reiner was an outspoken critic of the president, as well as a lifelong liberal advocate and donor to Democrat candidates and causes. Upon hearing of Reiner’s death (whose wife was also murdered), Trump took to Truth Social to write that Reiner’s death was “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT

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Candace
My Take

Erika Kirk, Responding to Speculation about Her Husband’s Burial Location, Cites a Media ‘Mind Virus’

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has created one of the greatest catchphrases ever coined — “mind virus.” My hat goes off to Ms. Kirk for creating this epithet. I stand in awe. “Mind virus” perfectly describes today’s media, although in Erika’s case, she was referring to social media and podcasts more than traditional media. The phrase stems from Ms. Kirk’s and Turning Point’s hesitance to reveal where Charlie is interred. Some say he is still unburied. Podcaster Candace Owens, whom I’ve always respected, says he was interred as a Catholic, though he always claimed to be a Protestant. When asked on Fox News where Charlie is interred, Ms. Kirk responded: “Can I have one thing? Can my children have one thing? Everything was public. We will be building the most beautiful memorial for my husband at Turning Point USA, and it will be for the world to see.” When pressed further about the burial site, she tersely replied: “This is not okay. It’s not healthy. This is a mind virus.” I agree that the media, in whatever form, should let the widow grieve in her own way and handle her husband’s remains in any respectable way

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ZZ
Currently...

Zelenskyy Claims He Lacks the Authority to Cede Territory to Russia — a Public Vote May Be Necessary

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are currently in Europe for negotiations over a possible peace deal in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is present, but no one from Russia is to be found. Russia has indicated that the terms proposed by President Trump — rejected without directly saying so by both Ukraine and European leaders — is a decent starting point. Clearly, Russia wants more. As Putin stated at the beginning and continues to repeat, Ukraine in his eyes is forever a part of Russia and must be retaken from interlopers. PLAY THE AUDIO BY PUSHING THE BUTTON BELOW  Two parts of the Trump proposal have leaders across the Pond worried. One is the limp — if not downright dishonest — security guarantee contained therein, and the other is the provision that Ukraine give up the whole Donbas region in the east of the country to Russia. Russian troops haven’t even occupied the entire Donbas. On X, Zelenskyy said the U.S. has yet to respond to the peace terms it submitted last week. Further, Zelenskyy said he feels that he doesn’t even have the authority to cede territory. He thinks it might require a referendum —

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Surf
My Take

‘Turf City, Here I Come’ — Jan and Dean Just Had the Wrong Destination in Their ’60s Song

I grew up near the coast in Southern California many a decade ago, and Jan and Dean (who they?) had a hit song titled “Surf City.” Part of the lyrics went: “Surf city, here we come “Surf city, where it’s two to one” For whatever reason, that song came to mind last night as I lay trying to drift off to sleep. I immediately made a modern connection to The Swamp in D.C., which I renamed “Turf City.” Dreamified, modernized lyrics can thus read: “Turf city, here I come “Turf city, where the mon is fun” Problem is, most people won’t immediately be able to equate “mon” with “money” bar some sort of explanation. “Turf” might also be a little obscure, but that’s what politicians build throughout their careers, as well as lining their pocketbooks. Anyway, hopefully you get the idea. For me, it’s back to sleep.

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Raccoon Sour
Currently...

Virginia Raccoon Goes on Drunken Rampage, Gets Sober, and Has Drinks Named After Him

A raccoon in Ashland, Virginia, climbed down a ventilation shaft on Thanksgiving weekend, knocked 12 bottles of liquor off the shelves, and imbibed. He was found the next morning, passed out in the bathroom. Animal Control to the rescue — they revived him and sent him back into the woods. Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control, the state liquor agency, brushed off the $250 loss and immediately began an ad campaign featuring the raccoon, even naming three drinks after him.

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Higgins
Currently...

Issues That Got Trump Elected Come Back to Bite GOP in Miami Mayoral Race

Immigration and inflation — two mainstays of Donald Trump’s electoral sweep in the 2024 presidential sweepstakes — have now turned in the Democrats’ favor, as recent elections, including Miami’s mayoral contest, indicate. Miami just elected its first Democrat as mayor in nearly 30 years in Tuesday’s election, as Demo Eileen Higgins (pictured) swooped into office with 59 percent of the vote. Her Republican challenger, Emilio Gonzalez, limped to the finish line with 41 percent. Trump endorsed Gonzalez. In a largely Hispanic city, voters were upset that longtime residents were being rounded up and deported. Another crucial issue was the cost of living, as prices have not only refused to go down at the grocery store, but have actually risen under Trump. “He [Trump] and I have very different points of view on how we should treat our residents, many of whom are immigrants,” Higgins said in an interview. The president, in turn, has called the issue of affordability a hoax, a designation few of modest means would agree with. He has also begun a re-emphasis on taking his policies to the people, and held a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week. Headlines from that rally focused more on the Fed

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Bulgaria
Currently...

Gen-Z Protestors Prove to Be the ‘Vox Populi’ in Bulgaria and Topple the Government

Whither Gen-Z protests? The latest in a string of youth protests has toppled its first European government, that of Bulgaria. Earlier, Gen-Z rampages have brought down governments in Nepal and Madagascar. Similar protests in the Philippines and Tanzania were met with lethal force. The Bulgarian demonstrations were brought on by corruption in government and by a newly released budget that would raise taxes and increase spending. The government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov was forced to resign before the budget could even be voted on. PLAY THE AUDIO BY PUSHING THE BUTTON BELOW  “Vox populi, vox dei,” Zhelyazkov said in announcing the downfall of his center-right government — “the voice of the people is the voice of god.” Odds are that it’s almost impossible to find a government that isn’t corrupt in one or many ways, and it’s a refreshing sign to see a younger generation willing to take on corrupt politicians and corrupt institutions. The question is, where will all this lead? Often, youth are filled with Marxist ideals. I know I was after graduation from college. Even while serving in Vietnam, I remained a firm believer in Marxism. It wasn’t until later that I realized that Marxist, i.e., communist,

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