HUMANITARAIN PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER DIED

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING FOR CARTER

By: Derek Varsalona

In sad news, former President Jimmy Carter has passed away at the age of 100. The Centurion was a humanitarian through and through. The flags are flown at Half Mass in honor of his public service to the nation.

President Jimmy Carter was a true Humanitarian in almost every sense of the word.   The one issue I disagree with him on is abortion.  He was a flip-flopper.  Although he was personally opposed to abortion he threw his values out the door on the issue and supported Roe V. Wade.  I am happy that Roe V. Wade is overturned.  

The man came from humble begging. He started out as a peanut farmer and grew an amazing political career from humble beginnings. He was a Humanitarian and a world leader. He was a big member of Habitat for Humanity.   

In honor of his passing, Flags will be flown at Half Mass for thirty days.  This marks thirty days of mourning for the President of the United States.  I wish his family well.  As always comments are accepted.

Jimmy Carter Passing

Source: ABCNews.com " Biden Marks Jimmy Carter Death with National Day of Mourning, Amid Sweeping Tributes." December 30, 2024. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/political-leaders-pay-tribute-carters-character-compassion/story?id=117182871

SOUTH KOREAN JUJU AIRLINES PLANE CRASH

DEADLIEST SOUTH KOREAN PLAN CRASH

By: Derek Varsalona

In a sad state of affairs, a South Korean plane crashed killing at least 174 people on board. This was cited as the deadliest plane crash ever.  The name of the airline was Jeju Airlines a South Korean company.   It was attempting to land at 9 am.

This is unfortunate news that 174 people died.  But this is the second time in a week that a plane crashes.  Planes do not just fall out of the sky unexpectedly without mechanical failure.  Yet no mechanical failure is being reported for the crash.  This leads me to suspect that either the Russians or North Koreans took down the plane.

This is the deadliest crash ever.  We know how the North Koreans and Putin love to add terrorism to their resume.  Look planes do not just fall out of the sky without just cause most likely a technical failure.  No mechanical failure is mentioned.  That leads me to believe that terrorists were involved.  As it was a South Korean plane, I suspect Kim Jung Un was behind it.  As always comments accepted.

Jeju Airlines plane crash
Image: ABC-CBN.com
Yon Hap
Dec 29, 2024

Source: Ju-Min Park. " Fiery Crash Kills At Least 174 in Worse Airline Disaster in North Korea." Reuters.com Muan County, South Korea. Reuters.: December 29, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/plane-drives-off-runway-crashes-airport-south-korea-yonhap-reports-2024-12-29/-

THE GOVERNMENT BAN ON TIKTOK VIOLATES FREEDOM OF SPEECH

THE FIGHT FOR TIKTOK

By: Derek Varsalona

I stand with President-Elect Trump in stopping the ban on TikTok. I am on TikTok and acquire many of my political discourse views on that site. But banning TikTok goes against Billions of users' right to freedom of speech. 

I do not think the government should force a sale of TikTok, either. The sale should be negotiated with the Chinese. China is also right to deny or accept the sale of TikTok.

Banning TikTok goes against the First Amendment, which guarantees users' right to freedom of speech. For so many, banning TikTok would be as detrimental as banning the TV when it first came out, or even worse, banning Color or Satellite TV.

The fact is that TikTok is a part of Americans' lives right now.  The fact that they want to ban it is the since freedom of speech is a threat to the US government since it gives opposing viewpoints and freedom of speech reigns supreme.  The government is afraid of what it is that they can not control.  The government can not control the internet or Tiktok.  As always comments accepted.

Government can not control Tiktok

Source: Bernard Debusman, JR. " Trump Urges US Supreme Court to Delay Tiktok Ban." BBC.com Washington, DC: Saturday, December 28, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4r1qrqw2vo

THERE WILL BE CHAOS IN SOUTH KOREA

CHAOS IN SOUTH KOREA

By: Derek Varsalona

I predict chaos in South Korea in the coming days. Today, South Korean President Han Duck-Soo was impeached for not filling government positions.

This is a perfect situation for North Korea to take over the South region in a war. America must not let that happen. America must negotiate with the South Koreans but leave the decision up to them in a free and fair election. America's role should be to help make the transition easier for South Korea and ensure that North Korea does not jeopardize the process.

I am afraid that North Korea is going to take advantage of this and move in militarily. Look for there to be riots in the streets and riots in parliament.  This will be a chaotic scene but America should not use its iron fist to nation-building.  As always comments are accepted.

Chaos in South Korea

Source: Julian Ryan. South Korea: Acting President Impeached.: DW.com Seoul: Friday, December 27, 2024. https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-acting-presidents-impeachment-extends-upheaval/a-71169216

AMERICA MUST STAY OUT OF SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

DEADLY AMBUSH CHALLENGE NEW SYRIAN REGIME

By: Derek Varsalona

In most cases, in America, regime change is peaceful unless you take January 6 by Trump Supporters who did not get their way.  In other countries, it is usually done at the barrel of a gun.  America should not get involved in regime change abroad ever.

A New Syrian leader faces mounting pressure to resign.  This is not the time for America to stick its nose in the problem and ask for a takeover.  America and President-Elect Trump should not be talking about regime change.  President Trump should also not be trying his own regime change of trying to take over Greenland.  That is what a dictator does. 

The Islamic Group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is in charge right now.  But America can ill afford to get involved in this fight.  America must stop nation-building to try and cause peace.  What Nation Building has caused was it caused September 11, 2001.  14 members of the new regime were killed by the old regime. 

President Trump must not get involved in this quagmire.  Let the Syrians fight it out.  As always comments accepted.

Syrian Civil War
Image: NYTimes.com 

Source: Omar Abdel-Baqui. " Deadly Ambush, Protest Challenge Syrian Leaders New Power." The Wall Street Journal. Damascus: December 26, 2024. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/deadly-ambush-protests-challenge-syrian-leaders-new-power-8bd3dde0

RUSSIANS TAKE DOWN AZERBAIJAN COMMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT

AZERBAIJAN AIRCRAFT CRASHES

By: Derek Varsalona

An Azerbaijan, aircraft crashed early Christmas Morning killing 30 people on board, with 25 survivors of the plane crash.  

This is just a horrible way to spend Christmas knowing that your loved one might be missing or presumed dead on Christmas morning.  I do not have many words for this as I am heartbroken.  There were 25 survivors in total and 30 deaths.   37 of the people on board were Azerbaijan nationals.   As always comments accepted.

Azerbaijan Plane Crash on Christmas Day
December 25, 2024 
FoxNews.com 

Source: Hannah Peart. " Azerbaijan Passenger Airlines Carrying 67 People Crashes in Kazakstan." Christmas Day: Kazakstan: December 25, 2024. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/azerbaijan-airlines-passenger-plane-crashes-aktau-kazakhstan-rcna183561

TRUMP THE DICTATOR IN CHIEF

TRUMP THE DICTATOR IN CHEIF

By: Derek Varsalona

President-Elect Trump is going to flex his political muscle about.  He has already claimed that he wants to take over the Panama Canal.  Now, he wants to make Canada the 51st state and Greenland the 52nd state.  Pretty soon by next week, he is going to make Puerto Rico a state and so too the Virgin Islands both US territory and British Territory.     There really is no stoping President-Elect Trump's madness.  I didn't think we would be electing an imperialist for President.

President-Elect Trump wants to reclaim the Panama Canal.  It is a great trading route.  But for a man who wants to start a trade war, maybe this is how you start a trade war with Panama.  America did not like it when it was a British Colony.  Now, that America is the most powerful nation on earth President Trump wants to throw our weight around.  

President Trump also wants to take over Greenland.  I guess Greenland has an oil reserve we can use.  But that is essentially stealing their oil.  President Trump is stealing the oil of Greenland.  If Greenland says no President-Elect Trump is just going to take it anyway.  Why because he can.

The next country on President Trump's takeover list is Canada. Well, since the United States is going to take over Canada, America can claim to invent hockey.  

I do not support this at all.  This is how the wars started. President Trump is now a dictator-in-chief and not a commander-in-chief. As always, comments are accepted.

Trump the Dictator in Chief
Image: BBC.com
December 24, 2024
Greenland

Source: Dave Lawler. " Trump's Dream of Empire Expansion." Axois.com Washington, DC: December 24, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2024/12/24/trump-buy-greenland-claim-panama-canal

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR DEATH ROW INMATES

PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMUTES MOST DEATH SENTENCES

By: Derek Varsalona

Is President Biden a pro-life President?  Well, not quite, he still supports the death penalty in cases of abortion and he still supports the death penalty in cases of hate-motivated mass murder and terrorism which is wrong.  It is still wrong to put those people to death.  The better solution would be to commute those death penalty cases of terrorist and mass murders to a life sentence without the possibility of parole so that the criminal can live the rest of their life in jail and think about what they have done.

I applaud President Biden for commuting the death sentence of 37 individuals.  But the effort does not go far enough.  All life is sacred from conception until natural death.  I hope President Biden will have a change of heart on abortion and all death penalty cases in this Christmas season.  

I applaud President Biden for wanting a fairer justice system.  Some say our justice system is racist.  Yes, more minorities commit crimes but when you look at it they are committing crimes to survive.  The better option would be to get a legal working job pay taxes and come out of the shadows of the black market. 

I applaud President Biden for his change of heart.  But it does not go far enough.  If he can change his mindset by saying out loud that abortion is in fact murder I will be happy.  Until then I am not impressed.  As always comments are accepted.

President Biden commutes death sentences
Image USAToday.com
December 24, 2024

Source: President Joseph R. Biden. " Fact sheet: President Biden Commutes the Sentences of 37 Individuals on Death Row." WhiteHouse.gov: Monday, December 23, 2024. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/12/23/fact-sheet-president-biden-commutes-the-sentences-of-37-individuals-on-death-row/

TRUMP TO TAKE OVER PANAMA CANAL

TRUMP TO TAKE OVER PANAMA CANAL

By: Derek Varsalona

The days of free trade are gone under the Trump Administration.  President Trump is going to flex his muscles and demand action.  The latest culprit of schoolyard bully President-Elect Donald Trump is Panama.  President Trump is trying to take over the Panama Canal.

President-Eleect Trump wants to seize the Panama Canal.  I highly doubt that Panama is going to let President Trump do this.  Instead of acting like a bully, President Trump should practice a free trade agreement with Panama.  In the long run a free trade agreement will benefit both the United States and Panama. 

President Trump could do this but I advise him not to.  At this time, I do not think that President Trump is going to have the backing of NATO.  Is it possible that NATO will attack its own members?  Well, not in a military strike, not be surprised if NATO forces a trade war with the United States as punishment.

Seizing the Panama Canal is all about power. President Trump is acting greedy and wants to control the world's waterways. He is going to start with the Panama Canal. For a man who wants to decrease inflation, this is going to increase inflation. This is a stupid bonehead move by President Trump. As always, comments are accepted.

Trump to take over Panama Canal
Image: Andrea Margolis
FoxBusiness.com
Sunday December 22, 2024

Source: Gram Slattery. " Trump Says He Might Demand Panama Hand Over Canal." Reuters.com Washington, DC: Sunday, December 22, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-says-he-might-demand-panama-hand-over-canal-2024-12-22/