Open thread 6/17/2025
Seen recently on a walk:
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Teacher’s union head Randi Weingarten resigns from the DNC
Raise your hand if you knew Weingarten was on the DNC in the first place. I certainly didn’t. But she’s apparently been a member of that group for 23 years. That’s a while. Her stated reason for leaving: Among those … Continue reading →
The UN’s role in Israel’s attack on Iran
I don’t think much of this author’s observations on Trump, and I think he somewhat overstates the influence of the UN in the matter, but the following part is nevertheless intriguing and I would guess mainly correct: One person is … Continue reading →
Israel continues to pound Iran
Israel is not fooling around this time: Israel on Sunday attacked dozens of sites in Iran — including energy sites, radar systems, and ballistic missiles and their launchers — and killed Iran’s top intelligence officers on the third day of … Continue reading →
Vance Boelter, the Minnesota killer, taken into custody
He was taken alive, which surprises me: Vance Boelter was arrested Sunday evening in a field near Green Isle in Ramsey County, only about nine miles away from one of the shootings. Boelter was wearing dark clothing, had a backpack, … Continue reading →
Open thread 6/16/2025
Happy Father’s Day!
[NOTE: This a slightly edited version of a previous post of mine.] Father’s Day. A sort of poor stepchild to Mother’s Day, although fathers themselves are hardly that. They are central to a family. Just ask the people who never … Continue reading →
In Minnesota, a “politically motivated assassination”: but why?
A vile act in Minnesota: Vance Luther Boelter is accused of killing [Rep. Melissa Hortman] and her husband and seriously wounding Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Both Hoffman and his wife have had surgery and are expected … Continue reading →
Iran hits Israel
It was absolutely expected that Iran would retaliate against Israel, and that some of the missiles would get through and cause damage and deaths. And that’s what has happened – eight are dead, twenty missing, and many more wounded as … Continue reading →
Sebastian Haffner on how quickly things can change
I’ve written quite a few times before about Sebastian Haffner’s excellent book Defying Hitler. I suggest everyone read it. Haffner, a young man when Hitler came to power, describes Hitler’s rise in harrowing and insightful psychological detail. Right now I’ve … Continue reading →
It’s Flag Day, Trump’s 79th birthday, and the 250th anniversary of the US Army
So let’s have a parade: On June 14, 2025–the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday–the nation will honor its legacy with a grand military parade in Washington, D.C. President Donald J. Trump will join veterans, active-duty troops, wounded warriors, Gold Star Families, … Continue reading →
Israel shows Iran some consequences
I wonder what it would take to get Iran to give up on the idea of annihilating Israel, short of an Iranian regime change. At the very least, the events of the past few days should have convinced them that … Continue reading →