Battleship Turning?

Check This Out

The Council on Criminal Justice, a non partisan, independent think tank, just released some eye-opening stats.

Murders in the US dropped by 20% in 2025 from 2024.

Spurred by drops of 30% in Chicago, 20% in NYC, 31% in Baltimore, 26% in Atlanta, 33% in Oakland, 31% in our Nations capital.

Motor Vehicle theft - is down 25%

Robberies - down 18%

Violent crime arrests - up 100%

Gang disruptions - up 210%

Illegal Border Crossings - down 99%

Overdose deaths - down 21%

Identification of Child abuse victims - up 22%

Espionage Arrests - up 35%

Arrests of FBI Top 10 Most Wanted - Same number in 2025 as last 4 years under You Know Who.

Anybody want to guess why? Is there a common denominator?

Well, it's sure not climate change or DEI. Or the "tough on crime" policies of the governors of California, Minnesota or Illinois. So, it must be the intrepid mayors and DA's in BLUE major cities, right? Hah.

No - inarguably, it's the guy at the top and the policies his Administration is implementing. Including, of course, the efforts of ICE and our National Guard. Don't think for a minute the threat of the Guard doesn't strike fear into leftwing mayors.

By the way, don't bother going to CNN or NBC or ABC to verify. To them, if Trump cured cancer, cancer would be the victim.

Didn't See This One Coming

Baltimore recorded a sharp drop in homicides in 2025, continuing a decline that city prosecutors say is the result of tough on crime policing of repeat violent offenders. Homicides fell to 134 in 2025, down from 202 in 2024, 263 in 2023 and 334 in 2022.

"You know, when I came into this office, we'd had eight consecutive years of 300-plus murders," Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates stated. "The only way you're going to focus on violent crime in Baltimore City is you must put repeat violent offenders in prison."

Bates, who took office in January 2023, said his administration shifted the office’s approach to enforcing mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders, which he says was inconsistently applied previously. State data show that in 2022, police arrested 1,577 repeat violent offenders. Of those, 869 were convicted, but only 267, or 31%, were sentenced.

Under Bates, the percentage of repeat offenders sentenced has risen sharply: 58% in 2023, 69% in 2024 and 65% in 2025. "This year alone, out of the 1,160 repeat violent offenders, 682 were found guilty of that offense. We sent 443 of them to prison," Bates said. "That's 65% of them."

In addition to sentencing changes, Bates pointed to increased cooperation with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and neighboring Baltimore County. Through the city’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) and through partnering with the federal government to disrupt drug trade within the city. "The silent partner has really also been the federal authorities," he said. "We're able to take down large drug organizations in a manner and a way we haven't been able to do."

Didn't even have to send in the Guard. All required was for elected officials to apply the law and local LEOs to be "green lit" to cooperate with the Feds. Proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Iran Insider Perspective

An Iranian friend with family currently in Tehran shared the following perspective with me just this weekend:

"As an Iranian, I’ll say this: it’s worse than what’s being reported, especially because so much can’t get out during blackouts. Families don’t know where their kids are, arrests are often unacknowledged, and deaths are undercounted. Fear and uncertainty are constant.

What often gets missed is that these protests aren’t about left/right politics or foreign ideologies—they’re about basic dignity, freedom, and survival under a brutal system. People are risking everything because living quietly has become impossible."

Well said, I thought.

Last week in my friend's conversation with her brother in Tehran he reported at least 40,000 murdered with 20,000 more to be executed shortly.

Engineered Chaos

Here's What We're Up Against

The skirmish that led to Saturday's fatal shooting of an agitator by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis and the response that followed were driven by a complex network of far-left organizations with a wide range of causes.

A coordinated web of encrypted chats, street alerts and tracking of ICE "Abductors" in a sophisticated database shows that agitators were already mobilized at the scene where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was killed minutes before any shots were fired. 

ICE and Border Patrol agents were there to arrest an illegal immigrant criminal, and Pretti and others were there, outside a donut shop, to meet them as part of a strategic pattern of organized interference with law enforcement operations.

Over the following hours, a national network of socialist, communist and Marxist-Leninist cells in the United States leveraged the tragic fatality into a nationwide protest operation. The network's real-time rapid response, using short sensational video clips and emojis as weapons of propaganda, offers a window into the disciplined logistics, messaging and coordination of far-left warriors fomenting insurgency-like confrontation with authorities.

Today, Jan 30: Neville Roy Singham, a China-based millionaire with ties to the CCP is reported to have bankrolled the MN protests. Singham is a Chinese Communist Party advocate traced to a multitude of dark money organizations known to fuel far-left, CCP-influenced extremism in the U.S. and across the globe.

Americans Don't Like Ugly Pictures on Their TVs.

Over the past few weeks there has been a steady stream of unpleasant videos and images shown on TV and the internet involving the protests in Minneapolis. Americans flat out don't like "ugly" pictures on TV. They react and blame authorities. In this case the ICE agents, DHS and President Trump.

But here's the deal. 11 millions illegals allowed in the country over a few years, many of whom are criminals and do not wish America well, is an "ugly" situation. These people don't want to be deported or they wouldn't have come here in the first place. Removing them involuntarily involves unpleasant, even ugly measures.

If Americans can't tolerate ugly measures and ugly pictures then stop saying you're against illegal immigration and demand the President to do something about it.

Don't Take Your Guns to Town, Bill.

Leave your guns at home, Bill (Johnny Cash 1959)

Can anybody tell us why Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis protestor shot and killed by ICE agents after he allegedly flashed a gun, brought a loaded gun to a "peaceful protest" in the first place? Even his parents admitted he never carries a gun anywhere.

America's New "Racism"

For decades, accelerating by the Obama years, liberals have howled about racism in America. Hoping to calve off the Black vote and later the Hispanic, they took every opportunity to grab the mike and besmirch Whites, Republicans and Conservatives.

Eventually people saw through this for what it was. Identity politics aimed at staying in power through block voting.

Now it seems we have a NEW racism. Illegal immigrants, including, of course, all the criminal constituents. Siding with them is a golden opportunity for the left to denigrate the efforts of the administration to carry out the will of the majority and trash the President. Longer term, illegals help pad population rolls in Blue states, which expand representation and federal aid illegitimately.

There You Go Again

(Ronald Reagan in debate with Jimmy Carter)

Polls say the President is wildly unpopular. Same polls that assured Hilary would win and Kamala was headed for the Oval.

Tuesday, Jan. 20 marked one year since Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office. One year of executive orders, foreign policy shock waves, immigration crackdowns and a governing style that never once tried to soften its edges.

And for one year, the same headline has seemed to be everywhere: Trump is unpopular. Approval in the low 40s. Disapproval in the mid-50s. The verdict, according to the polling-industrial complex, seems clear.

But one year in, it’s worth asking a more uncomfortable question: What if the polls aren’t telling us Trump is failing? What if they’re telling us he’s delivering — and the country is just splitting in response?

Because Trump is not like other presidents. And that means we might be reading his first year through the wrong lens.

He governed exactly as he campaigned — and dared the country to react.

He promised to get tough on immigration. He did.

He promised to reverse inflation - he has.

He promised energy self sufficiency - yup, he has.

He promised to put America first, even if allies bristled. He did.

He promised decisive action over consensus. He delivered it.

You can disagree with the choices. Many do. But you cannot credibly argue that he misrepresented who he would be. And thus the basis for his clear reelection. Unlike "flip the script" opponents, with DJT - a promise made will be a promise kept.

Trump didn’t run as a unifier and then divide.

He didn’t run as a reformer and then capitulate to polls and media.

He didn’t run as an outsider and then get cozy with the Beltway.

He ran as a disruptor — and, most certainly, he has governed as one.

That doesn’t make him right nor does it make him wrong. What it makes him is...consistent. Trustworthy.

So, one year in, could it be Trump’s approval ratings are not a warning sign, but rather a receipt? Perhaps they show that he delivered exactly what he promised — and that half the country can’t stand what was delivered.

In an era built on walk-backs and reversals, Trump did something voters are told never to expect from politicians: He meant what he said. Let's hope more appreciate than despise come next November. Seems only fair since we elected him again because we chose exactly we're getting.

Update on New Gov in Virginia

Within days of Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger being sworn in, members of her party introduced a flurry of amendments looking to end mandatory minimum sentences for various crimes within the state. 

According to Jason Miyares, the former Republican attorney general, House Bill 863 includes proposals to effectively eliminate minimum sentencing for manslaughter, rape, possession and distribution of child pornography, assaulting a law enforcement officer and other repeat violent felonies.

Looks like crime won't be going down in VA any time soon.

Virginia Democrats in the state’s House of Delegates introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would establish a task force to investigate the Virginia Military Institute and determine if the historic military college should continue to receive funding. The move is the latest of Virginia Democrats’ efforts to reinvigorate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy in the state after much of the DEI mandates and policies were revoked when President Donald Trump was elected in 2024.

Hot Off the Press - Along with a boatloads of new taxes, the Death Tax coming. The epitome of double taxation. Buy stock in Virginia U Hauls.

As Reagan said...you can't be for big government, big taxes, big bureaucracy and be "for the little guy". To liberals the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.

And Here's ... the (FAKE) News

Last week the ongoing Anti-ICE saga in Minneapolis provided yet another example of the breathtaking dishonesty of local media. It was reported that ICE had kidnapped a 5 year old as "bait" to lead them to his father, an Ecuadorean national here illegally.

Now we find out what really happened...

Upon seeing ICE approaching, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias fled leaving his 5 year old son, Liam, in his car. ICE agents stayed with the boy afraid to leave him in the freezing temperatures. When they found his mother and tried to place the child in her care, she refused to take him.

ICE officers stayed with the child. They cared for him. Took him to get something to eat from a drive-thru restaurant and spent hours ensuring he was taken care of. ICE Executive Assistant Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Marcos Charles told reporters. "Again, my officers did that, not his father ... his family refused to open the door and take him back."

It is reports like this and the staged protests in all likelihood paid for by people like George Soros that have polls showing such vitriol toward the efforts of the DHS to enact the people's will.

Immigration enforcement is a federal duty. The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause means that federal law overrides state law. No governor or mayor, no matter how left-wing their own policies, can refuse to allow federal agents to do their duty.

(Caution: If you have ties or deep sympathies for our "neighbors" to the north you may wish to hit fast forward).

Bite the Hand that Feeds - Free riders to the North

At Davos (the annual excuse for bankers and plutocrats to feed themselves and their egos in lavish settings) this week, Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney took to the stage to read America and President Trump the riot act. Without having the courage to name names.

He characterized Canada as a "middle power" and said the middle powers must stand together against the "two hegemons", thereby casting us with the Chinese. He went on to extol Canada's virtues and never once acknowledged the US role. He called Canada an "energy superpower". Yeah, one who sells the majority of its oil to the US and now wants to sell to China using the seas that American Navy keeps open and safe. He proclaimed his support and fealty to NATO while failing to mention Canada can't even meet the 2% GDP minimum for military funding. He talked about Canada's "submarine fleet". Yeah, a whopping four and the newest is from 2015. He talks about standing with Denmark and Greenland while the Golden Dome we plan to build will protect him, the 42 million Canadians and their paltry 2.4 trillion GDP. He didn't mention the $62 billion trade surplus his country enjoys with the US.

What a hypocrite. And here's the ironic part. He owes Trump for his job. By threatening tariffs and inviting Canada to become the 51st state, Trump unwittingly handed the election to Carney, who was far behind at the time. And you thought Trudeau was a clown.

Call Them by the Right Name

Those throwing rocks, vandalizing vehicles and properties, assaulting ICE agents are not protestors. They are insurrectionists. Paid, organized insurrectionists.

Speaking of insurrection no doubt you have read that President Trump may be considering invoking the Insurrection Act to stop the unlawful obstruction of immigration enforcement. Of course, this possibility provoked the usual cries of fascism, dictatorship, blah, blah, blah in every blue city across the country. So maybe a little history is in order.

Invoking the Insurrection Act would hardly be unique. It would hardly be the first time.

• Jefferson used it in 1807, which is when it was passed.

• Jackson to resolve a border dispute in 1831

• Lincoln to fight the Civil War against slavery in 1861

• Grant to crush the KKK

• Fast forward - Eisenhower to enforce integration in Little Rock

• JFK to protect black students in Mississippi.

• Bush to quell the Rodney King riots in LA

• In all 30 times.

Interesting isn't it. Many of the times the Act was used was to protect Black Americans when their rights were being abrogated in violation of federal law.

As organized, well-funded protests have now turned violent, indeed deadly, and are aimed directly, inarguably at interfering with law enforcement which is the federal government's #1 responsibility, is it not time to consider a 31st time?

Anybody Seen These?

The 10 Oscar Nominees for Best Picture for 2025 have just been released. I have not seen one although I did hear of one. F1. And I like (used to) going to theater. Comfy recliner chairs. Big bag of buttered popcorn, Diet Pepsi - large. That's the way to spend a dreary Sunday (except in football season, of course). Last movie I saw in a theater was Reagan in 2024. Seems rumors of Hollywood's demise might not be so far fetched.

Need A Pathway

Want to come back briefly to a suggestion made months (years?) ago. Trump needs away to diffuse this ICE issue. I think the best one would be to champion a pathway to citizenship for anyone who's been illegally for at least 10 years and kept their nose clean. Assimilated, shown a desire to become a patriotic American citizen. Or, at least, hasn't murdered or child trafficked or run drugs.

At the same time, reform birthright citizenship and chain immigration - but quietly.

Have a feeling that could take the wind out of the Left's protests - for a while at least. Hopefully until after the midterms.

Affordabili-teee Crisis?

Ever see that famous clip from 2001, when Coach Jim Mora, in a press conference after his New Orleans Saints turned the ball over 5 times, was asked about making the playoffs. He shrieked, "Playoffs? Playoffs? Don't talk to me about Playoffs. I just hope we can win another game. One game."

These days when I see the prices of airline tickets and hotel rooms and yet every seat and room is booked. Or sporting events where $100 seats are selling for thousands, I think...Playoffs? Affordability Crisis? Don't talk to me about Affordabili - teee!

A recent report said that Gen X'ers and Millennials will inherit $4.6 trillion. A massive wealth transfer over the next 10 years. Wait a while, then you can afford.

 Affordability is a matter of value and choice, not birthright. I choose to fly Spirit because I cannot afford a Dassault Falcon 70X like Taylor Swift. I just don't create enough value.

I heard one story about a youngish woman who was always complaining about not being able to save enough to buy a house. She and her boyfriend flew to Seattle - across the country - for the weekend to go to a sports bar and watch Sunday's playoff game. Probably wasn't on TV where she lived. Reminds me of all those kids who think they should be able to live in Manhattan when they are only worth a salary of $35,000 a year. Get real.

U Haul States

Leaving (in order of most)

1. CA

2. IL

3. NJ

4. NY

5. MA (Don't rule MN, VA out just yet)

Moving to -

1. TX

2. FL

3. NC

4. TN

5. SC.

And it ain't just because of blue politics, taxes and weather. Oh sorry - it is.

I Agree with Kid Rock

Never thought I'd say that. It's one thing for an individual who buys a few tickets to put them online and make a few bucks. It's another for a broker to game the system, buy thousands of tickets and scalp them. C'mon Donald put a stop to this. No one can buy more than 4. Or you go to prison for life.

Here's another gimmick that needed to be trumped. CAW is killing horseracing. CAW is Computer Assisted Wagering.

If you've ever wagered on horse racing and wondered how the horse you bet at 4 to 1 a minute before post time clicks down to 7/5 immediately after the horses break from the starting gate and wagering has closed - that's CAW. Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) refers to the use of sophisticated algorithms, real-time data processing, and automated betting systems by high-volume professional wagering groups to place large-scale bets on horse racing. CAW players are typically granted rebates, direct data feeds, and betting access that far exceed what’s available to the average bettor.

No wonder horse racing is in steep decline. Foals have dropped precipitously. Tracks that used to race 6 days a week are down to 4 or even 3. Tracks and breeding farms have closed. Races that used to fill with 10 entries now have 5. CAW is just one factor. Illegal doping is another.

Hope you have a nice weekend and stay warm.