Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

DeWitt Bacon

Frank and Lester, I think the comments on hyperbole might come from not understanding Trump's mind. I don't claim to have a sharp and intelligent mind like Trump, but I understand some of his thinking. I believe that some of his hyperbole is meant to frustrate the left. In the case of Zelenski and the war in Ukraine, President Trump probably wasn't aware of all the facts pertaining to the war. Remember, The Biden administration cut off his ability to receive intelligence. They did not want him to know what was going on. Trump's administration is working day and night on closing the border, Sending the illegal aliens back, ending the 'BIDEN' wars, cleaning up the fraud and waste of OUR money, and a lot of the other evils of the past administration. Give him a chance.

DeWitt Bacon

My EMAIL TO DOGE.

Email

to: DOGE

From: Lazy Democrat

Subject: 5 things I accomplished last week.

1. Clocked in 5 minutes late and went to the break room for coffee.

2. Stared at my computer for an hour playing video games.

3. Took a coffee break.

4. while in the break room, gossiped about those F***ing Republicans and that despicable Trump

5. Watched the clock tick down the final minutes of my shift.

Cheryl Faulkner (Sucato)

Jack,  We really only connect these days on our birthdays and his is next week so I'll get an update for you.  Steve and his wife Susan live in Colorado but have a home here as well.  Since their grandchildren have arrived they, like all of us, are totally wrapped up in them and I don't think they're here very often.  

Frank Wiley

Now this would be funny if it wasn't so sad.  Sheldon Whitehouse is the Senator from Little Rhode (nickname) you know it as Rhode Island.  He has always been a thorn in the side of anything Republican.  He is (or maybe now was) one of the biggest critics of Elon Musk.  Turns out he, through his wife got a "Beach cleanup company contract" with a Biden Government in the millions based on the "Green New Deal".  Elon just might get to TWO TRILLION?  I hope any politician, Republican or Democrat gets exposed (and burned) for stealing our money!!

Lester Cox

From the BBC:

Ukraine official says minerals deal  agreed with US. 

Trump is getting closer to what he wants and the US gets refunded. 

Jim Coats

It makes me feel good to see In Memory comments for classmates who have passed on.  I have talked with some dear friends recently about Being Remembered.  The truth of the matter is that unless "we" are famous, memories will fade pretty soon except for family and very good friends usually.

With that in mind, I have tried to make some In Memory comments even if I didn't know the classmate personally.  It might be nothing more than I had observed them in some context and my brain formed an "opinion."  I have made some of my comments on the off chance that the surviving spouse or friends might look at that section of our website and maybe it will make them feel good, even if just for a moment, to know their "person" is not forgotten.

Just a suggestion.

Mary Powers (Evans)

Nice "In Memory" suggestion Jim

Frank Wiley

Good one Jim!  I briefly scanned through our "In Memory" Classmates and two, John Hughes ('69) and Bob Ewald ('68) were both Veterans and they were killed in Vietnam?  Bob Ewald was a Lance Corporalin the Marines and John Hughes was in the Army.

Frank Wiley

Howard Lutnik (Trumps new Commerce Secretary) was just on with Brett Baier on "Special Report".  You may have heard that the Postal Service is going to go under the umbrella of the Commerce Department.  Howard has come up with a brilliant idea.  Every few years our Government does a census.  We hire over a million people and it costs us in the billions by the time we pay for their gas and expenses.  Howard suggested to President Trump that Letter Carriers go to most Americans houses on most days.  Why not let them do the Census saving us in the billions.  Are there possible glitches?  Of course, but isn't it refreshing to have people in the Government looking for ways to save our money?

Bill RIHS

Ex CEO of USAID spoke at a Congressional hearing and more than verified the fraud, waste and abuse in spades. Teirvitcdown build back like it was originally intended. Jay tapper writing a book on the media coverup of JB, buy that book and prove you are an idiot.

Jim Coats

Today's Oval Office meetine with Trump & Zelenskyy showed us how the sausage is made.

Please read my Post #15076 dated 2/23/25, paragraph #1.  Zelenskyy really blew it today by poking Trump.  He should NOT have done that in the Oval in front of media.

I hope Zelensky swallows his uneducated pride and apologizes to Trump and the USA.  As I said in my Post #15076, Get the Rare Earth Metals deal done and let America have "workboots" on the ground in Ukraine.  I think that would be a long-term solution that would keep Russia from further incursion.  I'm pretty sure Russia would not want to provoke Trump militarily.  Putin was obviously not cowed by Biden.

After the agreement is signed, then move on to Cease Fire agreements And associated long-term solutions.  Ukraine will Never defeat Russia.  Putin doesn't care about human life and he will continue to throw thousands of his troops into the meat grinder.  Just go back and look at WWII and how many troops Russia lost.  Ukraine needs to survive and this is the best way....IN MY OPINION.

Thoughts anyone?

Bill RIHS

Jim, I agree with your opinion!

Frank Wiley

Hi Jim, you asked for opinions.  If the United Nations was worth a shit they would offer the Security Army to Ukraine.  The United Nations must be OK with the invasion because I have heard almost nothing from that worthless group.  American tried to bring the world together after WW2 to try to agree to stop WW3.  The UN has done virtually nothing except bring a GIANT pain in the butt to Our Country.  Talk about insulting people.  We agreed to be the host to this idea and built a beautiful building in New York City.  America has historically tried to support underdogs.  Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Ukraine we have lost BLOOD and Treasure (I did blood in all caps on purpose) all over the Globe.  It's time to say no, we're done.  We have done our share.  More than our share!!  I don't know if you're done, but I am.  Maybe I have a different opinion than you but I have (I'm not bragging) skin in the game.  I have come off operations in Nam and seen the body bags.  They are green rubberized with the bodies of 17-25 year olds (a few older) American Patriots.  I have carried the bodies of Marines who died for Our Country.  I'm done with trying to please any of our so called allies.  I'm sorry I had to vent but I'm tired!!!  God Bless America!  God Bless Americans who SERVE Our Country!  And God Bless Donald Trump!

Lester Cox

Jim: Amen

Bill: Amen

Frank: Amen Amen!

DeWitt Bacon

I watched with dismay as the two world leaders argued before the press. Zelenski did that while the press was there to ensure the world would hear his point. In my opinion, Trump should have dismissed the press as soon as that started. Zelenski acts like an ungrateful child. Trump sent weapons and ammunition to Ukraine when Russia began amassing troops at their border. Biden sent billions of dollars (much of which has not been accounted for) to Ukraine. Zelenski seems to want the war to continue killing thousands more of his people. Putin doesn't care how many of his men are killed. His goal is to take over Ukraine. The only solution is for our 'NEGOTIATOR IN CHIEF' to intervene and find a peaceful solution. It's true that Communists cannot be trusted, but with Trump holding Putin's feet to the fire, there can be peace.

Jim and Frank, point well made.

Michael Kelly

In my opinion, after watching the meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Vance, it is nothing to be proud of. It was a setup to get Zelensky to look bad, and give Putin License to do the grab bag on the  Ukraine. Zelensky kept asking for guarantees, because it was "Sign this deal, and then we willl let you know..... " rhetoric. No kind of so called Deal at all. Hegseth had already said NATO membership is out of the question. Trump said you aint getting Donbas back, same with Crimea, and if you don't  sign this "Deal" What was left for Zelensky to say or do. How does he know what to tell Ukrainians. I've thought about this alot. Seems to me it was a SetUp so Zelensky could be made to look bad, like a "Spoiled Child" as someone called him. And then JD Vance giving him a you've been a bad boy lecture, and attacking him about his clothing, which he wears because that is what the Troops in the Trenches are wearing fighting for Ukraine. I think this was not another 'brilliant demonstration of the Art of the Deal": I think it was intended to be a GCF so that Putin would get the go ahead signal to screw Ukraine into the ground, kill old people, babies, and families so he can regain his Private Image of what Russia was like under Catherine the Great however many long years ago, back about the time of the American Civil War. I don't think this is going to work out well for anyone now, only the Hand of God can change it now. No, I haven't become a simpering Democrat, but I have been in enough Situations in Law Practice so that I can recognize when people are Sincere, and when they are :"Just Gaming the System" 

This alleged attempt at making Peace in the Ukrainian Russian War was just giving Putin another excuse, and believe me, if no one else, Putin will use it. It's a Shame. And I voted for Trump, supported him, sent him money, but in my opinion he tripped on his own ----!!!!!

Frank Wiley

I respect your opinion Michael but Ukraine has always been (maybe not now) the Country with its hand out to the highest bidder.  Remember when Biden was Vice President and told Ukraine to fire the lawyer who was investigating Burisma (Hunters cash cow) or they wouldn't get the money?  (I think it was 6 billion).  Biden actually Bragg about it.  That was after Russia took Crimea.  I like Zelensky but he should have kept his mouth shut and if he had questions he should have ironed them out in private discussions before or after (preferably before) the news conference. Even though he speaks pretty good English there are still miscommunication issues.  I don't know if you saw the interview with Brett Baier after the disaster news conference but twice he needed a translation of Brett's questions.  

Bill RIHS

Well guys, as a result of yesterday's meeting the EU/NATO including Canada are rallying around Ukrain. So maybe they can get their sh-/ together and do something besides letting us spend our treasures(2/3) of all support to Ukrain. I don't think anyone can guess what Trump's end game is. Let's wait and judge at the end. Having said that, Jim, Mike and Frank all have made great points/observations.

Michael Kelly

Frank W.  Burisma was the Energy  Company in Ukraine, which my brother Kevin did some research on, and it is a Subsidiary of a Russian Energy Company. Humter Biden was on the Board of Directors for Burisma, and that was at 88 Thousand a Month Salary, with no Energy Experience, but he had the Biden name, and we all know Pops had a Ten Percent Interest in all things Hunter, so Obama sends Biden with 1.6 Billion to aid Ukraine in Defending against a Russian Invasion of Cirmea, and Biden finds out Sonny Boy is being investigated by Ukraines Attorney General. This was in 2014, so Biden, ever the honest, forthright politician, tells the Ukrainian Prime Minister you don't get the 1.6 Billion Ive got in my Poke right here, unless Sonny Boy is dropped from the Prosecution. We all know what happened, Ukraine got the money to fight to keep Crimea and Sonny Boy walked and Joe bragged about it in front of God and everyone else. Yeah, I remember.  Ukraine has been, and still may be again one day, the World's fifth largest  supplier of Wheat and other Grains, but they wont be if Russia takes them over, then everyone will have to kiss Russias ass to get food, and Africans will begin starving to death again as almost always. 

You guys have knocked Trump before, and I was somewhat surprised, and defended him. Right now, after what he did with Vance to Zelensky, I would like to punch him and Vance in the nose. As you say, Zelensky gave an interview to Brett Baier right after the RCF on the NEWS, If anyone is owed an Apoloty, it is Zelensky. Why? Well, as any Leader of a Country would do, if he was asked to sign over the Mineral Rights to a Foreign Country, he's going to ask for some Guarantees. The last time Ukraine got into one of these So called Agreements, in 1994, with the same Suspects, ESPECIALLY RUSSIA, THE US, THE UK, THE GERMANS, THE FRENCH, THE ITALIANS, AND SOME OTHERS TOLD UKRAINE "JUST GET RID OF YOUR NUKES, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOUR NEVER ATTACKED, AND WE WILL DEFEND YOU OF YOU ARE" AT THAT TIME UKRAINE HAD THE SECOND LARGEST NUCLEAR STOCKPILE IN THE WORLD, BEING GOOD NATURED SLAVIC PEOPLE, THEY GAVE THEM UP. WHO BROKE THAT TREATY, MORE THAN ONCE, MANY TIMES, GOOD OLD MOTHER RUSSIA. So what Zelensky requested wias very Reasonable, even in the Point of View of Donald J. Trump in his Book "The Art of the Deal" Zelensky asked for some Assurances about what he would not have to give up. NOBODY WANTED TO TELL HIM, HE JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH PERSONAL ATTACKS FROM TWO GROWN MEN WHO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. POLICY WISE, THIS WAS A DISASTER AND WE ARE NOT NEAR ALL THE FALLOUT FROM IT YET. TRUMP NEEDS TO  RE-READ HIS OWN BOOK, UNLESS IT WAS GHOST WRITTEN, AND HE BETTER READ IT. DIDN'T  DUDLEY DORIGHT HAVE  TO SAVE NELL FROM BEING TIED TO THE RAILROAD TRACKS, BECAUSE SNIDELY WHIPLASH GOT HER TO SIGN OVER HER RANCH, AND THEN WHEN SHE WANTED SOME DINERO, HE JUST TIED HER TO THE TRACKS. Zelensky does not want to be tied to the Railroad Tracks, he wants assurances, and so would I.if I were in his Shoes. And thats the Rest of the Story. 

Frank Wiley

Michael, I agree with you.  I don't want American Boots on the Ground!  Security for Ukraine is a perfect job for the worthless United Nations and troops from Germany, France, and the U.K. If the U.N. won't do it.  It's time for  the E.U. To pressure the U.N. To do it.  

Frank Wiley

I got a call from Paul Sparks and he wanted me to mention that Frank Erickson who is deceased now served in the Army and was on President Nixons Military Honor Guard.  

Michael Wetzel

Michael Kelly,

I agree with you 100%. What I witnessed was a travesty. I would punch those two jerks out myself ! In front of the whole world no less. I bet the front of putin's pants were wet, after witnessing that debacle.........

Michael Kelly

Michael W. Frank W., et/ al. I dont think Trump or Vance are right about what they did to Zelensky, and it looked to me like a setup. I don't think it does any good to try to "make a Deal" with Putin. He's a Sociopath and never will do anything without assuring  himself that his love, Mother Russia, which is himself, gets some kind of benefit from said arrangement. As I discussed yesterday, not maybe in pointed language, Putin is in Breach of the so called Deal that the Union of Soviet Socialist  Republics made with  Ukraine way back in 1994 when Billy Boy Clinton was reigning in his glory, and collectively the World got Ukraine to Give up its Nukes, of which they had a bunch. Now Putin will say if asked, why aren't you sticking to that deal, and he  would blithely reply "I represent Russia, not the  USSR". Kinda Like saying What the meaning of is, is? Word Games, typical of a Sociopath The reason to go into this elaborate explanation is to get across the point. Which Zelensky expressed real Concern about. How does Ukraine know whether this  Sociopathic Killer will Keep his Word? Michael W, you hit the nail on the proverbial Head, Putin and his promises is not the Basket  you wanna put your eggs all in, especially at the cost of eggs, billions of Dollars, when you already know the damned Basket has got no Bottom to it, and your'e a Fool to think it does. Zelensky is a HERO for Sticking to His Guns, especially in the face of Big Red and Tont

I think Trump and Musk are doing a damned good Job in hunting out Swindler, Cheats, and Scammers. Maybe General JAck Keane should be placed in Charge of the Peace Negotiations and then it could be labelled the 

TRUMP, ZELENSKY, PUTIN PEACE DEAL  NO WARRANTIES WRITTEN OR IMPLIED INTENDED.

General Jack Keane not to blame if this falls apart in the next five minutes.

Lester Cox

Bill O'Reilly today:

Michael Kelly