User-Supported News Commentary Hosted by Craig Crawford
It’s Official
It’s summertime* and you know what that means … hijinks in high and low places.
*June 20, 2025, 10:42 p.m. EDT
Author: patd
“But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.
"Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad."
"How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice.
"You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
View all posts by patd
A gold thumb, a crushed Statue of Liberty and satirical quotes are all part of a new statue generating a buzz along the National Mall.
The artwork is called “Dictator Approved” and is scheduled to be on the part of the Mall closest to 3rd Street until Sunday, according to a National Park Service permit.
The statue includes a gold thumb appearing to crush the top of the Statue of Liberty. There are quotes from various world leaders on gold plaques along the sides, including a quote from Russian President Vladimir Putin that said President Donald Trump “is a very bright and talented man.”
The new artwork is in almost the same location as a poop-covered desk “memorial” for Jan. 6 rioters that popped up in October before the election.
“It’s just a sign of today’s political climate,” Diane, a woman walking in the Mall, said. “It’s crushing liberty, that’s what it says to me.”
It’s unclear who the artist is, and the NPS Permit said “Military parade on 6/14 will feature imagery similar of autocratic, oppressive regimes, i.e. N. Korea, Russia, and China, marching through DC. This statue will call attention of that imagery by linking our American traditions of freedom of the actually praising these types of oppressive leaders have given Donald Trump.”
The permit file is called “Veterans First Initiative” permit, but it’s also unclear whether the Haymarket, Virginia-based group is behind the statue. A security guard will be watching the artwork 24/7, the permit said.
Kevin Hong said the statue is personal because “my family has worked against communism in Korea, China, Vietnam over the past 70 years, and now it feels closer to home than ever.”
Cheryl Regan, who said she likes and respects President Donald Trump, called the artwork amusing.
“It doesn’t offend me, but it’s kind of funny,” Regan said.
The statue also features quotes from Viktor Orban, Kim Jong Un and Jair Bolsonaro.
“It’s saying that Donald Trump is crushing liberty, which I completely agree with,” said one person walking by Tuesday who asked not to be named. “He wants an authoritarian regime, and he’s taken every step to have it very similar to what was occurring in the 1930s in Germany.”
Pamela Hemphill, who was convicted of a crime for her involvement of Jan. 6 but declined a pardon from President Donald Trump, called it “the most perfect statue I’ve ever seen, because it’s by Putin.”
A government worker, who asked not to be named, said the piece is “an emblem that maybe counters what it is that we should stand for.”
side view
The president tried to halt observances of the Juneteenth holiday but Americans celebrated anyway, the FDA is scrapping guidelines on daily alcohol limits, we’re in for a very hot weekend across the country, and Trump announced he’ll take the next two weeks to make a decision about bombing Iran.
a lazy, languid version in honor of the longest day
roger miller is sorta forgotten. nice to see him again.
Roger liked to say he was about 2 weeks ahead of his time.
Roger and Glen -two exceedingly talented guys. Glen would have been one of the few Wrecking Crew members who could not read music, but could do a terrific job of making it.
Ya gotta love Dana…after recounting Dumbass’ incoherent ramblings about his lack of plans in the middle east and flagpoles, he pointed out this…inconsistency.
Trump, citing the conflict in Iran, abandoned world leaders at the G-7 meeting before it ended. He said he wanted to be back in Washington in the crisis “because I don’t believe in telephones.” (The anti-phone comment came shortly after the Trump Organization rolled out its latest hustle, “Trump Mobile,” a plan to sell “Trump phones.”)
Welcome to the equinox
He dodged, she decked. 🥊 Slotkin’s real question: Would you obey an order to shoot protesters?
And Hegseth blinked.
Ringo joked one time….faced with the possibility of doing a some kind of huge concert anywhere in the world, etc after batting it around, they finally said screw it and just held it on the roof.
When searching for the cover of Abbey Road they finally just said screw it, let’s just go outside and walk across the street.
Yesterday, Rep. Jasmine Crockett said the “donor class” was coalescing around a couple of Dems, and they are white men, because…
I’m wondering if one of them is the guy sitting next to Slotikin? Astronaut Kelly?
Newsom will be a tough sell, because of his shirttail relationship with Pelosi, and his marriage to Don Jr.’s ex-gargoyle (would she spill or make up dirt on him?), and honestly, has he gotten really quiet since Saturday?
Both Josh Shapiro and Jon Ossoff are impressive orators, but I’m not sure if a Jewish person can get support because of Gaza, even if they aren’t on board with Bibi.
(If anyone wants to support Senator Ossoff now, I’m sure he could use some support in his re-election bid.)
Walz was popular, but Repugz will never let him live down the military service, which is just weird and nitpicky…but they were hammering him on it when he appeared with Hochul and Pritzker last week, for a Senate hearing.
I really like Pritzker, but he’s an actual billionaire and that won’t play well.
It’s ridiculous and sad to thing the big donors are going to pick someone who’s middle of the road, when we need to move toward democratic socialism like the rest of the counties approved for travel and immigration, and who have written off the US because guns, lack of healthcare, lack of higher education and parental leave being covered by tax dollars.
I fried French Fries in Dorito pork chop grease.
The raccoons are mobilizing.
today’s meme…
meme #2…
Have spent the major part of today driving across Nebraska. I thought Kansas had cornered the market on wide open spaces.
Mojave desert is rather wide-open
An anxiety-filled trip driving through that
Omg it feels like the Mojave desert everywhere today
Mad dogs, Englishmen, and me, apparently 😒
Just a nice summer day around here. Perfect working weather.
Interesting thing, Omaha NE, a 6 hr drive north of me is 100, where as where I’m at, it is 88
Normally I would be 10 degrees warmer than Omaha. A 20 degree flip.
Jack
what’s in Jack’s garden?
Some of the most extreme weather changes occur in the Omaha world. The only worse spot is probably central Asia. The farther you get from the oceans the more likely you will see extreme heat and cold. . Life on the great plains gotta love it.
Jack
Picked my first green beans today, been chowing down on cabbage, beets, green onions. In the near future, yellow squash and cucumbers. I was slow getting my tomatoes out so no tomatoes before the 4th.
Jack
Nice, we’re at about the same spot. i sowed tomatoes direct from seed so they are about ready, they will like the heat
Ahhhh, Nebraska……I have Nebraska-ed to a fare-the-well. Seems to me it looks a lot like Iowa.
And Kansas. And Indiana-Illinois. And Ohio.
The glitter bomb idea came from an old TV show. Life imitating art. For some reason, it’s like an urban legend and I can find zero news articles about activists marking “ice” bounty hunters with glitter.
ps – Birds are eating the peas!
I only recently began using reading glasses at age 75. The doctor keeps sending me for tests, heart tests, lung exams, blood tests for everything, but they can’t find anything wrong that’s sort of over the top. Type 2 now for 31 years, my slow weight loss regime shredded 157 pounds away, but I am still trying to lose these last 8 pounds, which I will do. Trying to lose weight via exercise never worked for me, I just must curtail all food intake. I mean, my size 58 jeans now make me ripe for a weight loss ad, as I now can wear a 38 inch waist pant. Yesterday the neighbor lady was sunning and yelled at me , asking if I “was alright, because you lost so much weight”.
I wanted to say it’s that damn tapeworm that unfortunately didn’t die in my brain like Kennedy’s did, but was ravaging my guts. I didn’t, I am the king of small talk so I humored her with the boring truth. I lost 24 pounds since last Juneteenth so she noticed. I try to avoid her and her family, they are loud and they irritate me. Her son makes his motorcycles loud as possible and the noise rattles my windows. Cops? Yeah, right! They don’t care about such bullshit.
Rejoice, Detroit denizens, as your Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball, by far.
The Pistons failed, Washington’s young skinny QB destroyed the Lions , but these Tigers are for real. Here’s old age kicking in: I was invited to a Tigers game recently and had to decline. I don’t walk at all without canes and/or a rollator. I just believe I might fall and ruin the day for my friends.
And also, Black Lung is in the news, as the administration has rolled back measures of harmful coal dust in mines, forcing miners to work in brutally unsafe areas. And…pollution standards for smokestacks nationwide are being reduced , enabling much more pollutants into the air we breathe.
Coal mining areas voted for Trump.
And do not worry about the USA and Iran…Trump will have it solved “in 2 weeks”.
Heard that 2-week shit before? Craig posted a short on it.
I have blithely used “Two Weeks” for years in the cabinet biz. It s a near-perfect increment of time.
Dex, I’m doing the Mounjaro thing, for diabetes and hopefully the weight loss side effect. Will report any progress
Former President Joe Biden criticized “ongoing efforts to erase history” during a Juneteenth Celebration Service at a historic African Methodist Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas — and appeared to take a shot at his successor, President Trump.
Biden called Galveston “the city where freedom rang out 160 years ago.”
In 2021, Biden signed into law a measure that made June 19, or Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Called the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, the bill passed the House with overwhelming support and was approved by unanimous voice vote in the Senate.
In at least two moments, Biden seemed to reference Mr. Trump, though not by name. When speaking about attempts to erase history, he referenced “this guy” before giving himself the sign of the cross — drawing laughter from the audience.
“Darkness can hide much but can erase nothing,” the former president said.
Several speakers recognized Biden during Thursday’s service, including Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, who presented Biden with a plaque noting his role in making Juneteenth a national holiday.
“I still consider our special guest, President Joe Biden, as my president,” Brown said to applause.
Home from the range. One town registered 102 on my phone’s thermo meterer.
The E-4B Nightwatch aircraft landed at the military facility in suburban Washington, D.C., as speculation grows over potential U.S. military action in Iran.
In a national emergency or loss of ground command, the aircraft “provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities,” the U.S. Air Force said.
It was used during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The use of an atypical callsign—”ORDER01″ instead of the usual “ORDER6″—fueled speculation about the nature of its current mission.
It’s unclear whether it latest flight from Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana, to Joint Base Andrews was a routine operation, or a precautionary move, but Newsweek previously reported that it is most likely no more than a show of force.
The E-4B Nightwatch can remain airborne for extended periods, capable of refueling mid-air. Protected against electromagnetic pulse attacks, and capable of surviving a nuclear blast, the plane is equipped with advanced satellite communications, shielding technologies, and can accomodate more than 100 people.
meme #3…
glad you’re home safe Ivy
Just dropped my cooked chops in crushed Doritos and forgot how civilization works.
Thank you, Craig. Good to be back.
Craig, you’re the busiest Lazy Man out there❗️
Ha, Ivy, I stay lazy in theory. It’s the execution that gets weird.
US President Donald Trump took credit Friday for a peace deal negotiated in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda — and complained that he would not get a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
“This is a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World!” Trump said in a Truth Social post confirming the breakthrough.
But his triumphant tone darkened as he complained that he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo.
He also demanded credit for “keeping peace” between Egypt and Ethiopia and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aiming to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Indian officials have denied that he had any role in its ceasefire with Pakistan.
And the Republican greatly exaggerated the significance of the 2020 Serbia-Kosovo agreements, which were statements of intent thin on detail and that quickly unravelled.
Trump’s claims for the Abraham Accords being able to “unify the Middle East” have also yet to be realized, with war breaking out between Israel and Iran, and no end in sight to the conflict in Gaza.
Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal lawmakers over the years.
side view
The president tried to halt observances of the Juneteenth holiday but Americans celebrated anyway, the FDA is scrapping guidelines on daily alcohol limits, we’re in for a very hot weekend across the country, and Trump announced he’ll take the next two weeks to make a decision about bombing Iran.
a lazy, languid version in honor of the longest day
roger miller is sorta forgotten. nice to see him again.
Roger liked to say he was about 2 weeks ahead of his time.
Roger and Glen -two exceedingly talented guys. Glen would have been one of the few Wrecking Crew members who could not read music, but could do a terrific job of making it.
Ya gotta love Dana…after recounting Dumbass’ incoherent ramblings about his lack of plans in the middle east and flagpoles, he pointed out this…inconsistency.
Welcome to the equinox
He dodged, she decked. 🥊 Slotkin’s real question: Would you obey an order to shoot protesters?
And Hegseth blinked.
Ringo joked one time….faced with the possibility of doing a some kind of huge concert anywhere in the world, etc after batting it around, they finally said screw it and just held it on the roof.
When searching for the cover of Abbey Road they finally just said screw it, let’s just go outside and walk across the street.
Yesterday, Rep. Jasmine Crockett said the “donor class” was coalescing around a couple of Dems, and they are white men, because…
I’m wondering if one of them is the guy sitting next to Slotikin? Astronaut Kelly?
Newsom will be a tough sell, because of his shirttail relationship with Pelosi, and his marriage to Don Jr.’s ex-gargoyle (would she spill or make up dirt on him?), and honestly, has he gotten really quiet since Saturday?
Both Josh Shapiro and Jon Ossoff are impressive orators, but I’m not sure if a Jewish person can get support because of Gaza, even if they aren’t on board with Bibi.
(If anyone wants to support Senator Ossoff now, I’m sure he could use some support in his re-election bid.)
Walz was popular, but Repugz will never let him live down the military service, which is just weird and nitpicky…but they were hammering him on it when he appeared with Hochul and Pritzker last week, for a Senate hearing.
I really like Pritzker, but he’s an actual billionaire and that won’t play well.
It’s ridiculous and sad to thing the big donors are going to pick someone who’s middle of the road, when we need to move toward democratic socialism like the rest of the counties approved for travel and immigration, and who have written off the US because guns, lack of healthcare, lack of higher education and parental leave being covered by tax dollars.
I fried French Fries in Dorito pork chop grease.
The raccoons are mobilizing.
today’s meme…
meme #2…
Have spent the major part of today driving across Nebraska. I thought Kansas had cornered the market on wide open spaces.
Mojave desert is rather wide-open
An anxiety-filled trip driving through that
Omg it feels like the Mojave desert everywhere today
Mad dogs, Englishmen, and me, apparently 😒
Just a nice summer day around here. Perfect working weather.
Interesting thing, Omaha NE, a 6 hr drive north of me is 100, where as where I’m at, it is 88
Normally I would be 10 degrees warmer than Omaha. A 20 degree flip.
Jack
what’s in Jack’s garden?
Some of the most extreme weather changes occur in the Omaha world. The only worse spot is probably central Asia. The farther you get from the oceans the more likely you will see extreme heat and cold. . Life on the great plains gotta love it.
Jack
Picked my first green beans today, been chowing down on cabbage, beets, green onions. In the near future, yellow squash and cucumbers. I was slow getting my tomatoes out so no tomatoes before the 4th.
Jack
Nice, we’re at about the same spot. i sowed tomatoes direct from seed so they are about ready, they will like the heat
Ahhhh, Nebraska……I have Nebraska-ed to a fare-the-well. Seems to me it looks a lot like Iowa.
And Kansas. And Indiana-Illinois. And Ohio.
The glitter bomb idea came from an old TV show. Life imitating art. For some reason, it’s like an urban legend and I can find zero news articles about activists marking “ice” bounty hunters with glitter.
ps – Birds are eating the peas!
I only recently began using reading glasses at age 75. The doctor keeps sending me for tests, heart tests, lung exams, blood tests for everything, but they can’t find anything wrong that’s sort of over the top. Type 2 now for 31 years, my slow weight loss regime shredded 157 pounds away, but I am still trying to lose these last 8 pounds, which I will do. Trying to lose weight via exercise never worked for me, I just must curtail all food intake. I mean, my size 58 jeans now make me ripe for a weight loss ad, as I now can wear a 38 inch waist pant. Yesterday the neighbor lady was sunning and yelled at me , asking if I “was alright, because you lost so much weight”.
I wanted to say it’s that damn tapeworm that unfortunately didn’t die in my brain like Kennedy’s did, but was ravaging my guts. I didn’t, I am the king of small talk so I humored her with the boring truth. I lost 24 pounds since last Juneteenth so she noticed. I try to avoid her and her family, they are loud and they irritate me. Her son makes his motorcycles loud as possible and the noise rattles my windows. Cops? Yeah, right! They don’t care about such bullshit.
Rejoice, Detroit denizens, as your Detroit Tigers are the best team in baseball, by far.
The Pistons failed, Washington’s young skinny QB destroyed the Lions , but these Tigers are for real. Here’s old age kicking in: I was invited to a Tigers game recently and had to decline. I don’t walk at all without canes and/or a rollator. I just believe I might fall and ruin the day for my friends.
And also, Black Lung is in the news, as the administration has rolled back measures of harmful coal dust in mines, forcing miners to work in brutally unsafe areas. And…pollution standards for smokestacks nationwide are being reduced , enabling much more pollutants into the air we breathe.
Coal mining areas voted for Trump.
And do not worry about the USA and Iran…Trump will have it solved “in 2 weeks”.
Heard that 2-week shit before? Craig posted a short on it.
I have blithely used “Two Weeks” for years in the cabinet biz. It s a near-perfect increment of time.
Dex, I’m doing the Mounjaro thing, for diabetes and hopefully the weight loss side effect. Will report any progress
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-juneteenth-speech-galveston-texas/
Former President Joe Biden criticized “ongoing efforts to erase history” during a Juneteenth Celebration Service at a historic African Methodist Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas — and appeared to take a shot at his successor, President Trump.
Biden called Galveston “the city where freedom rang out 160 years ago.”
In 2021, Biden signed into law a measure that made June 19, or Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Called the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, the bill passed the House with overwhelming support and was approved by unanimous voice vote in the Senate.
In at least two moments, Biden seemed to reference Mr. Trump, though not by name. When speaking about attempts to erase history, he referenced “this guy” before giving himself the sign of the cross — drawing laughter from the audience.
“Darkness can hide much but can erase nothing,” the former president said.
Several speakers recognized Biden during Thursday’s service, including Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, who presented Biden with a plaque noting his role in making Juneteenth a national holiday.
“I still consider our special guest, President Joe Biden, as my president,” Brown said to applause.
Home from the range. One town registered 102 on my phone’s thermo meterer.
Back in our own paddock tonight.
golden hour in the garden ❤️
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-doomsday-plane-spotted-flying-2087848
The E-4B Nightwatch aircraft landed at the military facility in suburban Washington, D.C., as speculation grows over potential U.S. military action in Iran.
In a national emergency or loss of ground command, the aircraft “provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities,” the U.S. Air Force said.
It was used during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The use of an atypical callsign—”ORDER01″ instead of the usual “ORDER6″—fueled speculation about the nature of its current mission.
It’s unclear whether it latest flight from Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, Louisiana, to Joint Base Andrews was a routine operation, or a precautionary move, but Newsweek previously reported that it is most likely no more than a show of force.
The E-4B Nightwatch can remain airborne for extended periods, capable of refueling mid-air. Protected against electromagnetic pulse attacks, and capable of surviving a nuclear blast, the plane is equipped with advanced satellite communications, shielding technologies, and can accomodate more than 100 people.
meme #3…
glad you’re home safe Ivy
Just dropped my cooked chops in crushed Doritos and forgot how civilization works.
Thank you, Craig. Good to be back.
Craig, you’re the busiest Lazy Man out there❗️
Ha, Ivy, I stay lazy in theory. It’s the execution that gets weird.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-confirms-dr-congo-rwanda-deal-gripes-about-nobel-snubs/ar-AA1H7XKW
US President Donald Trump took credit Friday for a peace deal negotiated in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda — and complained that he would not get a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
“This is a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World!” Trump said in a Truth Social post confirming the breakthrough.
But his triumphant tone darkened as he complained that he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo.
He also demanded credit for “keeping peace” between Egypt and Ethiopia and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aiming to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Indian officials have denied that he had any role in its ceasefire with Pakistan.
And the Republican greatly exaggerated the significance of the 2020 Serbia-Kosovo agreements, which were statements of intent thin on detail and that quickly unravelled.
Trump’s claims for the Abraham Accords being able to “unify the Middle East” have also yet to be realized, with war breaking out between Israel and Iran, and no end in sight to the conflict in Gaza.
Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal lawmakers over the years.
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