Maslow's Political Blog

OK, a review of my predictions for 2025.  Bold are 2026 comments . Trump: I think Trump's presidency will be a lot like his first: chaotic without many constructive achievements (Tarrifs) . Most achievements will be the undoing of things (Reducing vaccination requirements . Unless you are an undocumented immigrant, your life won't be made worse. If you want to, do what you can to protect the undocumented immigrants you know. Mass deportation is so difficult I don't think it's going to happen. The administration will focus on criminals (as in they've been caught because of non-immigrant laws) and preventing more crossings. The border may become much more dangerous (E.G. more armed guards with more permissive rules of engagement).  If you know someone trying to enter this country, help them do it legally even if that means they have to wait.  You can reach out to your congressperson for help, too - such as the person you know is trying to join the rest of their family...

Man I am so glad 2025 is over so I can now stop doing this.  It was interesting but making these monthly lists was definitely a chore.  It helped me realize, though, how little of the year's news was all that important to my life.  Obviously there are some people for whom much of it was important, but I am not an illegal immigrant in America, a Ukrainian, a Russian soldier, or an Israeli soldier, or a Palestinian.  I'm going to guess that is less than 2% of the world population.  Most of the things that impact me are through higher costs, which is bad for me, but not going to kill or capture me - and certainly not violently. Well, let's wrap this up.  Following through is important.  What were the MAIN things that mattered in December?  What was, and wasn't, worth our valuable attention? Major: Very important, will be impactful. Flu spike !  Getting sick is terrible and affects you directly, and worse if you don't have sick-time to use f...

What were the MAIN things that mattered in November?  What was, and wasn't, worth our valuable attention? Major: Very important, will be impactful. Nothing.  Hope you enjoyed the fall weather and had a great Thanksgiving! Appreciable: Good context to keep in mind, but don't sweat the details. Was and remains  appreciable : The ongoing genocide in Sudan and China. Incidental: Good to know, but of limited use beyond its own topic. Trump's court lossess.  It's good to see the law working as we want.  There are now appeals to the Supreme Court, so it ain't over yet, but the process is, so far, working against Trump. Trump's response to the attack on 2 National Guard members.  I don't think there's a large number of Afghan's trying to come to America, but those that are - and those already here - probably have some connection to the US military, and therefore are in danger as long as they remain in Afghanistan.  We should want locals who supp...

Before we get started, I want to highlight something Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, because as a guy who wants to be known as tough, it's odd.  He's speaking of the suspected drug smugglers we've been killing (murdering?) in the ocean: “These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda,” the defense secretary tweeted on Tuesday, “and they will be treated the same.” Obviously, he's invoking Al-Qaeda because they are a modern classic American enemy. Who likes those guys? Easy sympathy points! But if these narco-terrorists have killed more Americans (putting aside whether that's the best measure of badness) shouldn't our reaction against them be greater? He's got a pundit's mind but he is in a practical job. A qualified Secretary of Defense would have spoken more precisely, not for tough-guy theatrics. OK, now to the main event!  What were the MAIN things that mattered in October?  What was, and wasn't, worth our valuable atte...

What were the MAIN things that mattered in September?  What was, and wasn't, worth our valuable attention? Major: Very important, will be impactful. September 10th-12th, the time between the assassination of Charlie Kirk and arrest of Tyler Robinson.  When a political assassination happens and the assassin remains free, that's got to take center stage.  A society that ignores  political violence is one that will not survive long.  But now there's nothing to do but wait for the trial. Appreciable: Good context to keep in mind, but don't sweat the details. Tarriffs!  The details depend on your spending.  But whoever you are and whatever you think we all buy things and many of those things involve at least a bit of importing, so those prices will go up.  But also maybe the courts will say something like 'these have never been legal' . Was and remains  appreciable : The ongoing genocide in Sudan and China. Incidental: Good to know...

What were the MAIN things that mattered in August?  What was, and wasn't, worth our valuable attention? Major: Very important, will be impactful. Nothing Appreciable: Good context to keep in mind, but don't sweat the details. Tarriffs!  The details depend on your spending.  But whoever you are and whatever you think we all buy things and many of those things involve at least a bit of importing, so those prices will go up. Was and remains  appreciable : The ongoing genocide in Sudan and China. Incidental: Good to know, but of limited use beyond its own topic. Trump trying to fire Lisa Cook is a major issue if he can do it.  But if he is prevented, then whatever.  But right now we don't know the result.  So it's appreciable because if it happens it'll impact the economy a lot like tarriffs will - we all buy stuff and price changes impact us all.  But given its a legal battle I struggle to see what we can do, and if we can't do anythin...