Trump signs the Iran MOU at Versailles and tells the G7 "I'm the boss." Plus: the study admitting remote work made us miserable, the feds' war on jobless-fraud, and Europe votes to send them back.
No. But I'll let you guess why Trump delayed the release of the MOU.
It was to get the Ds and the Pravda to demonstrate they have no idea what's going on, thereby exposing them as frauds, anti-american, imbeciles & liars.
Brilliant. But easy for a person paying attention to understand the strategy.
It gives one cause to remember the very many voices all claiming, in tones of terror, "this deadly disease" (stress increasing on the middle word). So many different voices. So many voices speaking the same message.
I wonder too if the Trump admin leaked different details about the when and how of the signing to catch another leaker (similar to the Camp David meeting leak a few weeks back).
On that note today he issued an executive order under the national defense appropriations act: get busy making stuff for next round. Another for to put together.
If TAW, then TNL. They Never Learn. One might think that having watched Caracas' China-Russia (wanted to write "Sino-Soviet") sky shield rendered useless before the helis landed, and their own drones et alii (same source) intercepted and destroyed, they'd question the wise use of funds to purchase materiel from Russia. But their ignorance is our gain. Probably no money changed hands anyway.
He certified a fraudulent election. He committed treason and should face justice,...unless he was playing a role at Trump's request. Anything's possible.
More likely, Pence was a plant by the Establishment Republicans' to keep eyes on Trump and report back! Much like they did with Reagan/Bush as VP and Nixon/Ford as VP.
They almost always pair an outsider with an establishment person. I remember when Lieberman wasn't allowed the running mate he wanted. Still, Pence could have taken a deal or flipped.
I think Pence could not take the heat of Trump's 'kitchen'. Like most Republicans he has no appetite for risk. Tepid is the word. And now he has to construct mental castles to defend his faint heartedness.
Trump keeps everyone guessing. What will he do next? I figure if I know then the enemy does too. This is war...Good vs Evil. And all's fair in love and war.
I'm not surprised he plans to read the MOU on Friday. People are busy on the weekends and the liars won't get to spin it to nearly as many people.
In reading this I was struck with another thought: what if the point of this was to get Congress to ENDORSE a continuing war against Iran, rather than opposing it?
Holy cow I hope you’re wrong. We have been at war my entire adult life. Enough young people’s physical and mental health has been sacrificed. We need to be done.
I used to "feel" that way too. But now i trust the the Pres knows what's actually possible.
And HOW to get there. Trust Jeff to break it down. Sometimes he scares me at first, but he usually helps me to calm down when I don't get everything I wanted right up front.
It took 47+ years (really since brits grabbed Persian oil in 1908) of them killing Americans and driving up energy costs...making it harder for regular people everywhere to be blessed.
Does that sound like God's plan? Harder to be blessed? I don't think it does.
Hitler was empowered by England and Europe's murderous starvation (i.e. Churchill as Lord of the Admiralty insisting on maintaining the blockade AFTER the treaty-6 months i believe) of Germans post-WW1 among other problems with the treaty.
If, like Trump, we were builders and NOT first thinking like destroyers, then we would probably have NEVER experienced either world war.... would've never happened.
We live in a broken, fallen world. There will always be war somewhere. Until Christ returns and brings lasting peace, we will have put up with evil ruling in the hearts of greedy leaders.
AnnieMarie has it right…..there will always be war somewhere until the Prince of Peace comes ruling with a rod of iron.
Until that time, it would likely be beneficial for some of today’s young people to go into military service and learn to be productive and accountable in their lives which would enhance their mental (and even physical) health.
Even better than that would be to begin attending a Bible teaching church.
You’re exactly right…I grew up Southern Baptist, which almost ruined me on organized religion as I’d watch these dudes repent on Sunday and go right back to being sorry SOBs again until they came back and updated their redemptive status. What a bunch of crap!!!
It's not so much that he speaks...it's that the MSM reports it. Why? Who cares about his thoughts on anything besides maybe his wife (no) or his kids (no)?
I remember back then they were calling him (Pence) - Judas, and adding: …at least Judas Iscariot had the decency to off himself.
I do not agree with him offing himself as they meant it, but he should get “off” the world stage and political realm, and go “off” to some obscure place and become a broom salesman or chicken farmer or something. JMO
Thanks Frenchy, I furiously threw up me hands, knocked over a vase of flowers, sent me iPad crashing to the floor when I started to read Pence’s rubbish!
Jeff, this was a sharp roundup. One of the reasons your work hit early during covid is that you’ve always had a good instinct for where the real machinery sits—coercive overreach, incentive distortion, and the administrative‑state cracks most people don’t see until they’re standing in them.
If we zoom out one level, the pattern across all these stories is the same: incentives shifted, cost‑bearing returned, and the underlying structure snapped back into alignment.
Iran: the MOU isn’t a peace deal, it’s a tempo device—pause the conflict, run out the midterm leverage, reset the field.
Remote work: technocrats externalized the downstream costs; once institutions had to bear those costs again, the narrative collapsed.
Unemployment fraud: emergency‑era throughput incentives created a crack; reintroducing friction closes it.
EU migration: USAID’s shutdown removed the subsidy that kept the system distorted; once Europe had to carry its own weight, policy flipped overnight.
Different domains, same mechanism: remove the subsidy → collapse the crack → the system reverts to sanity. And by “crack,” I mean the place where incentives misalign — the gap where someone extracts value without bearing cost. Close the crack and the system snaps back to coherence.
That’s the real through‑line here. Not ideology. Not personalities. Just structure reasserting itself after a long extractive cycle. The story isn’t just that things are turning around—it’s why they’re turning around. When the incentive field changes, the politics follow like iron filings.
Great breakdown Paul. I retired full time just prior to Covid. Then found a parttime job. I worked without a taking any time off for Covid. I watched former employees totally abuse work from home. I also found many people around me start to "substance abuse". Amazing with all the shutdowns, liquor stores were booming.
I want to see the turn around. I want to see people communicating without the "which side of Covid are you on" and are you Pro or Anti Trump.
Sadly, it will take time, but I am seeing movement.
"Amazing with all the shutdowns, liquor stores were booming."
That was part of the design of the program. You recall liquor stores were "essential businesses" - but churches were not. Walmart was "essential", but the local Mom & Pop stores were forced to close.
🎯 Many were working 2 full time jobs and not doing well at either one. Those employees were fired when exposed. There is even mouse toggle programs to determine if an employee was working or not. Others had software to determine this as work wasn't getting done. Was this Big Brother? Or was it businesses just protecting their profit line that was obviously being abused.
Never was a small business owner, but theft is theft. whether it's stealing an item or claiming you are working when you are not. There were some or maybe many that abused the work at home. IMHO an employer has the right to use whatever means to protect the bottom line.
I love work from home. I retired before covid, but my husband no longer had to commute 100 miles a day, to sit in his office, alone, working. I'm supposed to believe that just having people in other offices around him makes him mentally healthy? Standing around the water cooler? Oh, that's right, everyone carries their own plastic bottle of water nowadays.
I'm pretty sure that his mental health was not affected by working from home. I call bs on that claim. It's right up there with "Video games cause heart attacks".
As someone who had to commute to work my entire career, I can tell you that sitting in traffic for an hour, after you've worked all night, fighting sleep, is no recipe for mental health. It is exhausting and miserable.
I am a physician so my work life was unchanged during Covid. I still went to the office M-F. There were some patients who stayed away from the office but others came in for seemingly minor things. I think it was more for the social interaction. People were starving for human interaction. We are not meant to be isolated.
There are many jobs that happen behind keyboards and phone meetings/zoom. My concern would be for those in locked-down Cities with no land of their own to give them access to the earth, sun, birds, pets.
Back in the 2000's after completing a 9 month remodeling project, of which I designed and oversaw crews, made most decisions and choices, I sank into a cocoon of comfort next to a remote controlled gas fireplace. Now this was a much deserved Winter rest, but come Spring, the home across the street and to the right of mine, both began projects that lasted more than a year. So, no peaceful gardening (no vitamin D production), a continual array of Strangers in trucks, jackhammers, nail guns, concrete trucks, etc.,(noise 8 hours /day, 5-6 days per week).
I emerged from that with depression, likely induced by giving up outside time in my garden, which was also exercise! Couple that with my walking partner taking a more demanding job and the kids becoming more independent.
I can definitely see how the isolation and lack of peaceful access to nature can cause depression!
Please …..quit trying to fit all people into your idea of the right way ! We're all different and one size does not fit all . That works for you but not all !
I still love my solitude too, Mrs. RW. Our closest neighbor is a mile away who leaves for 3 months in the winter so we are the only people on our road during that time. The nearest town is 35 minutes away. We work on our house, enjoy our animals, watch the abundant wildlife. Life is good as that's all hubby and I need.
One of my closest friends who worked with me as a remote RN is the opposite of me. She loved working from home but craved being around people so she and her husband bought a doublewide on a lake to be close to others. She could get off shift and immediately go boating with her hubby and neighbors. We're all so unique and different.
ha ha, I'm with you Mrs RW. I thoroughly enjoy my solitude. If I need to see people, I'll head on out to the brew pub for a pint and watch them from my table.
I believe the study showed that specifically people who live ALONE had significantly negative impact: “Remote workers living alone spent entire days without human contact,” the summary stated, “and their mental distress, use of mental healthcare, and antidepressants increased acutely.” This would exclude people like your husband who obviously had human contact every day despite his working from home. I myself think that there are people who would do just fine living alone and working from home but I am sure there are many who would be better off with at least one person eyeballing them every day to make sure they are still okay. We are social creatures, and human contact is good for us for the most part.
Our daughter had finally worked her way and earned the credentials to land a GS 14 working for the Coast Guard. Her dream job. All they asked of her was to make sure any and all regulatory issues were cleared when they came up. Otherwise, show up and just amuse yourself. She was not happy that she was not included in their meetings, like HR was excluded too. . She wanted the social interaction so much she was looking for another job after less than 2 months. Then she blew her brains out. People are different , so I can vouch for at least one person who both refused to take a job where she always worked from home, or have a job without being part of the group. And this was before the Covid lockdowns . .
I've seen this with many women who go from working to staying home when they have kids. We started SAHM groups and tried to scoop up the ones with newborns even before they gave birth. Our best one was a fitness group that met 3x weekly plus on weekends once a month. It's a very isolating exsistence if you don't have friends/family around you, helping you and giving you someone to talk to. It was very concerning when everyone suddenly went to WFH with no support.
I agree! I'm not much of a joiner, but I stayed involved in the kids' school, with PTA, music programs, fundraising, field trips and other filling other creative needs the school community had need of. The trouble comes when the kids age out of parent participation requirements. Then it helps to find p/t work.
My SAHM friends—early 80s— had a ‘Stitch and Bitch’ group in the basement of a church where the toddlers and babies could roam while the moms bonded. We are all grammas now and cherish our friendships. Do not know where I would be without my group of 12 girlfriends!
Rolandttg, I am so sorry for your loss. We are all different indeed. Many elderly & retirees also struggle if they have been accustomed to having contact with many then suddenly, there is no one around and they feel there is nothing to strive for.
Most heart felt condolences, rolandttg. Any of us who have had a child die before us, share a heartache others do not. I am thankful many do not have that sorrow to bare as some days, it feels unbearable.
Oh Rolandttg, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard enough to lose a child but this way is even more heartbreaking. I pray for the repose of her soul, may she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Our Lord comfort you and your family.
Indeed 😞 A terrible illustration that isolation is very very detrimental to some people’s mental health. Yes there are people who enjoy solitude but there are a whole lot of people who don’t do well with it at all 😞
Agreed, Mrs. RW! I worked for 14 years as a remote telephone triage nurse. We had 400+ practices, were available 24/7/365. This was before working remote was fairly popular. I loved it! Had my own small home office, could focus entirely on my patients with very little distraction. Only a rare time of my dog needing to go out or having to mute my phone when UPS showed up. We had Instant Messaging to keep in touch with co-workers, could work in jammies or not much else during the hot summer months. Fortunately, I retired before Covid so I was able to see the insanity without working in it.
Well stated Mrs. RW. The same people struggling by working at home were probably struggling just a little less in the office. The only difference is the social pressure to keep up is removed when not surrounded by cometition.
That’s true for some - it obviously depends on the circumstances and the individual. But there’s no doubt that for many, WFH was awful for their mental health.
Not all workers are married with a spouse/partner at home for company. If you are single and live alone and then don’t have any social interaction from a work environment, it does take a toll. Individuals are different and work site environments vary greatly. So I don’t see it as black or white, which is better. I’ve worked from home for 14 years with my husband working out of town for much of that. It’s easy to become isolated and not even realize just how much of a hermit you’ve become. I did fine but also made myself reach out to friends to ensure I was getting interaction.
All of Europe has been subsidized by the US. We have paid for their defense, NATO, the UN, USAID and all the open border insanity, etc. that has allowed them to be open borders, have socialized medical programs, free universities, etc., etc., etc. Now that all of our financial support is ending and they are facing the bills and the consequences of the One World agenda, they are changing their tunes. Finally!!! It is a slow but sure reclaiming of their own national identities and some measure political correction going on to support their own citizens and cultures.
Now we need to continue the work here to ensure free and fair elections and tightening our own borders and clearing judicial house so we can be a nation following our amazing Constitution!
I think the US policy (for the longest time) was to protect our European vacations (all is like Epcot/Disney) and all those lovely, varied cultures. But now I don't get the same kick out of a visit to the Top of Switzerland only to have my lower-quality Rösti meal made and delivered by central Africans. Eurodisney no longer.
I know personally about one tiny example of what I consider unemployment fraud, so if this could happen imagine the magnitude of what is out there. In 2020 this then 67 year old non-working woman who has not worked since 1995 when she was 42 (she just stopped working and after that lived with her mother, and then when she was 62 she got early social security to live on) applied for "unemployment" and got it with virtually no effort. I was astounded because not only had she not worked for 25 years, she wasn't even looking to work, so I couldn't figure out how on earth she got all that money. I went to the government website and took a look at the application she filled out. The one and only question she had to answer was whether or not Covid was making it difficult to look for and find a job. Yes or no. That's it. Nothing else was asked, not things like "what was your previous job" or "when did you lose your job", nothing. That was it. She had answered "yes" to that question, filled in her name and all relevant information, there was no interview with anyone, no follow-up of any kind, no verification process, and the money started to flow in. I figured she raked in over $10,000 on that program. Disgusting.
Good Grief! In your frist few sentences, I thought you were describing my older sister! That is until you said, "she was collecting Social Security". We tried to get her to fill out the forms, even printed them for her! She has been living off our elderly Mother's meager benefits and using Mum's vehicle, though refusing to take Mum anywhere.
The vehicle is being sold this week and the money cut off next month! When she was told this, she gives the "deer in the headlight", look of disbelief. These people are complete narcissists!
You should definitely report the fraud! These types actually think that others owe them a living.
Trump's critics, including Pence, do not understand how Trump makes deals, how he establishes peace, how he always wins in spite of naysayers, or how he had all his pieces lined up MONTHS in advance of beginning the Iran operation. I'm glad he didn't wait to sign the MOU on Juneteenth. He likes the number 17, for some reason.
I am fine, thank you, very pleased to get off of one of the two blood pressure meds I’ve been taking. I went through the hassle of changing doctors to get in with one of the “good ones” in my small town, recommended by church friends. So far, so good - he listens and seems willing to respect my wishes for as few drugs as possible, and no unnecessary procedures! However, they have those posters in the exam rooms from the CDC, pushing the freaking flu vaccine! Arrghh.
Totally agree! Barbara and Susan are my heroes! More of us need to contribute to their needful work. Thank you, Dave aka Geezermann, for bringing that up! https://www.prometheanaction.com/
If you’ve read Sun Tzu’s the Art of War, you can understand Trump’s strategy. One is to not do total destruction.
Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
One big piece that he obviously didn’t have lined up in advance was the closing of the strait, despite our generals warning him about it ahead of time.
Unless the USG is going to permanently insure these ships , this is only a temporary interruption of Lloyd’s money.
So you’re saying Trump purposely let the strait be closed knowing that it would raise the prices of gas, food, and other products on Americans right before the midterm elections, all so that we could temporarily deprive Lloyds of some cash and break the Europeans budgets on Ukraine?
And why would we care about their budgets for Ukraine? I think they’re buying weapons off of us for Ukraine.
You don't see all of Europe changing their tune now? Singing tunes of MAGA policy for their own countries?
Do you honestly think that's because they planned all along to completely reverse course on so many policies exactly when "I'm the boss" Trump told them to?
I notice Jeff mentioned gas prices dropping, that's good, but will it continue? Yesterday even Trump mentioned 4 weeks of reserve. I don't think Jeff mentioned that; sort of like mentioning Versailles without citing the WWI connotations.
I think people are assuming, now that some ships are moving through the strait, all is back to normal. From what I'm reading, normal is months away. A lot of supposed experts are saying it will get worse before it gets better. I hope they are wrong but I'm living like they are correct.
Which is why he should have filled them up BEFORE he went to war when the prices were low. Planning ahead doesn’t seem to be one of Trump’s strong suits.
I read or heard the same thing. It’s going to take time to get the damaged and shut down wells operating again. In the meantime countries reserves are running out.
Not so. The idea was to have the straight closed, Lloyd's of London (Financial City of London) stop insuring anyone, and have the US take over and deprive the globalists of their oil fear premium.
The terror premium. I don't blame you for being behind, but you need to watch Promethean Action. Someone posted a You-Tube link above. It's usually 3 times a week, Thursdays are long, but most of their videos are 15 minutes. You will understand everything about Iran in one sitting. The "City of London"---the bankers and Lloyds of London have imposed the terror premium around the Strait of Hormuz for decades & made wild money doing it. Trump is asserting the American Sustem & dismantling globalism right in front of their eyes.
Lloyds stopped issuing insurance for ships passing through the straight , so no income from that. Lloyds is Financial City of London (one of the 3 pillars of the globalists) No brainer that globalists know ahead of time what Lloyds is going to do, so they can short or buy puts on oil and make money on that too. Trump took all that away by them freezing themselves out of the market.
By Trump using the USG to insure ships going through the Strait & using the US navy to escort them through. Bypasses Lloyds & that's MAJOR cash that every country has paid for decades for EVERY ship that passes through to pick up oil. See it now?
Well, I know this may "feel" counter-intuitive especially when we are being bombarded on all sides by war propaganda but Iran did NOT close the Strait. The US closed the Strait. Iran never wanted the Strait closed as that was their income. Also, if the Strait is closed too long, that will begin to degrade and destroy their oil fields and their oil production infrastructure.
Trump closed the Strait. That weapon struck at the very heart of Iran's economy. Of course, he would like to shift the blame for high gas prices onto Iran... especially with mid-terms approaching. As to why he closed the Strait, that may be a deeper question than most realize. And I'm very skeptical of Promethean's narrative. They have the slick feel of a deep state intelligence network.
I'm sure you also noticed Trump never said he was really going after the Financial City of London. Promethean Action is not the only one saying that, not by a long shot. I trust no one implicitly , and neither should anyone.
Trump closed the Strait for vessels to and from Iran, but allowed vessels from other ports to go through. Iran then allegedly mined the Strait to prevent those vessels, and used their speed boat ‘Navy’ to try to attack them.
I think Iran closed the strait, it's still closed to US Navy.
As for all of the other theories, we will have to wait and see. I know nothing about Promethean Action, if it's on utube and nowhere else it must be compromised because utube censors anything outside approved narratives. I suspect, but can't say authoritatively that Promethean Action mixes fact with fiction to make it believable. If it is available outside of utube I would listen to see what it's about.
You can follow them on X as well, it is not just YouTube. I disagree, if you have not watched multiple episodes of Promethean action, your assessment that they are mixing fact and fiction is I think wrong in every way. You don’t have to respond, just go watch them. They are historians.
In the fog of war, nearly everything we are told, by all sides, is just war propaganda. Ask yourself, could such a threat even be carried out IF the US was protecting the Strait? Then ask, why would Iran want to blow up it's only income source? Doesn't add up, does it?
I'll just throw this out there for those who have a bandwidth capable of handling more than just "TAW". This is a very informative exchange between Michael Yon and Alex Jones. To cut to the chase, go to minute 45 and begin listening there....
It’s been as low as 2.89 in my area but has gone up a slight bit to about 3.29 in the past few days. Our governor decreed a gas and excise tax holiday so that has helped a lot.
Yep I haven’t even seen any of his comments because I blocked him some time ago. Johnny O got me started on a block fest at the end of March when he made a rude and callous comment on my post about my brother. Then I just decided that I was tired of giving all of these people who are rude and condescending and repetitively negative, the time and consideration they have NEVER given me!
Yes, whatever we do, let's make sure that the guy telling truth here is canceled. This must be a congregation of Democrats!
The truth hurts and it seems many here cannot deal with it. You all react like those college students who Charlie Kirk spoke to and debated. The crazed Dems ended up shooting him. I'll be sure to duck from y'alls anger.
But, the truth hurts. My comments are all spot on. They expose the stupidity and bully-boy cowardice of Trump and the utter lack of coherent thought among this Cult of Childers here. You are apparently running for assistant tattle tale of the Cult.
This is the greatest example of TACO we have ever seen.
I love the evening shows. Most are MAGA, and Gutfeld makes me laugh.
Also, I refuse to watch the other legacy networks, and I know I can count on Fox to keep me informed of the b.s. they are peddling because they constantly highlight it. 🙄 So it’s a “tool.” Sort of how Jeff informs us of what the NY Times is up to so we don’t have to wade through their slop ourselves.
I prefer the other conservative outlets’ reporting, but use Fox to stay informed about the libtard lunacy.
I don't believe I directed that comment to you. Since I don't permit ad hominem attacks from quarrelsome people and bots, I am now blocking you. I don't have time to play games with you.
Awful as it is to read, I hope that the UK Rape Gang Inquiry coming out is another reason the EU is swinging anti-immigration. It’s been all over X, nothing in mainstream media, of course. Thread on X here: https://x.com/mattvanswol/status/2066974274368180556
This is another instance where I am so thankful for Elon Musk purchasing Twitter and allowing this information top finally be shared freely. He has also been very loud about this story himself.
I'm pretty sure that the reason the EU is sending migrants back "home" is that the Kiev regime is running out of meat for the grinder, and the EU wants to keep the grift that is "Slava Ukraine" going.
So they will send more men back to die, while Ursula's slush fund keeps slushing.
A horrifying read. And decades(!) in the works. I am really without words for the deliberate non-action from multiple UK admins. A clean sweep, as in eradication of all previous parties, must ensue. Otherwise -- civil war.
It’s so disgusting and depraved, and horrifying to think about what those poor children were made to endure and how almost NO adults were willing to try to help them!!!! 😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬
Sad part of the UK Muslim rape gang news is that this has been known about for over a decade… those poor victims and people who were silenced or imprisoned for speaking out. I know justice works slowly, but I hope they are learning the lesson. It’s never too late.
Guess I'm an outlier. I've never been happier than I have been working remotely. Being in- office was what caused me depression and anxiety and painful headaches and had me using all manner of otc pharma to cope. I was also far less inclined to stand up and move a bit since i was always sure I would get in trouble for taking that moment from my work, even though they like to say they want you to stand up every hour or so. Working from home fixed all my problems and made me healthier and more productive.
Studies usually agree with whatever corporate America wants to do regardless of reality on the ground, imo. Usually just a vehicle to manufacture consent and justify an unpopular position by creating something that can be pointed to to make the majority think they are an unrepresentative minority. Or just plain crazy.
With one working car, possible aspergers, environmental semsitivity, frequent need to keep an eye on my nieces over the summer, and taking care of an elderly mom with heart failure, working from home has been a literal miracle and no studies can ever prove otherwise to me.
I know several people who transitioned to working from home 6 years ago and they still cannot adjust, they really struggle. It’s 100% their fault too, they are just too lazy or stubborn to adapt.
If you want to be with people but you work from home you have to make a small effort to go out into the world to be with people. Very simple. One guy I know has put on at least 50 pounds. In the office he was always walking around and moving constantly and now he just sits all day. I told him 5 years ago to go to the SPCA, adpot a dog and walk it twice each day no matter what. 50 pounds later he still doesn’t listen.
My advice to most people struggling is 1) get a dog and walk it and 2) go take a martial arts class, preferably Jiu Jitsu. You’ll get plenty of exercise and be around people 2-3x per week. Zero people who are struggling have taken that advice. Stubborn and lazy.
Here's something that parents and young people should think about.........................................
More Evidence Skilled Labor Is Rising in Value
....Young people are beginning to realize that practical skills tied to energy, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and infrastructure may offer far greater security than unstable corporate office jobs increasingly threatened by automation. Many of the highest-paying opportunities no longer require sitting behind a desk pretending to answer emails all day.
The labor force built on debt, speculation, and endless financial manipulation has had enough.
If not for my mom and our one car and my disinclination to leave an elderly woman with heart failure alone with two kids and no car, I'd be looking into those classes at Home Depot on carpentry. I've always been interested in that and electrician work.
I'm quite sure that you are a hard worker and take pride in your work. I am too. Work was always a point of my credibility as a human. The last job i had before I retired required that I work remotely. Everyone at the company (tech) was remote. However, I must say that there are many who need to be supervised, and working from home is a recipe for problems. While I was successful working from home, there were many times I felt that working in an office had benefits for employees AND employers. There are a lot of incredibly lazy people out there who have no business working from home. While good employees work hard, take pride in their work, and do very well, unsupervised people can cause problems. Just my two cents.
My company is pretty respectful of employees and we don't even have any of those nanny apps to plague us. But they track work just the same as when we are on site, or were anyway, and have made it clear that if we aren't getting the work done, individually, we can be required to work on site again. They did call back some departments just because they needed them on site again, but have left others remote which I express gratitude for having that option every time they have an employee survey!
The problem with the work from home, it only really relates to single people working from home. Those that have a spouse that works from home as well do just fine (well, most of them). That coupled with those single folks that prefer work from home (introverts, those with toxic offices) also do just fine. This study to me is an example of a generalization of a specific set of people to poo-poo on WFH. Personally, I believe that if you are NOT seeing customers and you are NOT needed to physically do work on site (repairs, monitor machines, etc) then WFH SHOULD be an option that the person can chose. It shouldn't be only WFH, nor should it only be On-Site. Literally, let the employee chose. Some people not only work better, but save a lot of $ not commuting daily, as well as a lot of time, and love being able to spend that extra time and $ on their family...
Have there been studies on productivity, or customer service satisfaction? I pretty much agree with you, but I've had a few calls with babies screaming in the background, (though call centers can also have loud background noise). A relative of mine does a hybrid schedule where she goes to the office twice a week, which can be a good option.
I can only say that when my husband was working (before they workforce reduced him out after 20 years) from 2020-2023 they were all excited over how much MORE productive their employees were working from home instead of being in the office. In late 2023, they did an abrupt 360 on that, not citing declining productivity but stating that they needed people back in offices. My guess, they had $ invested in offices and they didn't want to pay for them being empty. But that's just info from one one major company.
My daughter is single, but she had a dog and two cats that were thrilled to have her home, instead of them being abandoned all day. She was happy to work from home, because her boss was a jerk, always coming into her office to demand the impossible. At home, he could call her, but at least he wasn't in her face.
I think that "experts" will say whatever the bosses want them to say, and I agree that it probably has something to do with real estate values, not human mental health.
as ok as you can be doing interviews and still not getting a job. We keep scratching our heads over ones like the last one where he had all the qualifications, was even a supervisor doing that exact type of job. They didn't hire him and re-posted the job listing. HR will not call back or take calls. I can only guess it's age related since he has the qualifications and nothing in his background. He is getting about 10 hours a week of gig work digging ditches, but it's hard on him at his age especially since he's been in an office behind a computer his whole life and not out doing manual labor in the FL heat. I wish we had a network or someone we knew who could tip the scales in him getting a job, but no dice.
Thanks, I'll forward him this link. I know he went to a job fair (1.5 hrs away in a major city) and they said his resume and cover letter was perfect. So we know that isn't an issue.
If your husband is 55, be prepared for the fact that most any company can hire 2 or 3 youngsters for what they would have to pay him. This happened to my husband. He tried for 2 years to get hired. No dice. So we had to decide to create our own business. So glad we did. Lasted until he could claim full benefits from SS. Give it a thought! When God closes one door, he opens others.
He's not being picky on what the job pays, something is better than nothing. Right now he gets about $200 a week, but that isn't enough to survive on even with the pittance I make. It's not about hiring someone they can pay less when he's willing to take less. They just won't hire him, period. I mean we have 3 teens....can't feed them hungry caterpillars enough right now lol
Digging ditches by hand? Sounds like it, I wouldn't call using a trencher manual labor. It's awesome he would actually do that, he's a rarity these days. Especially in a FL summer. I wonder how his fitness will fare. Digging by hand is great exercise up to a point. All day every day might wear you down, rather than build you up, for an older person.
OK, sounds more reasonable. As a 75 year old who does a lot of manual labor by choice (dismantling a massive oak with 40 inch logs into firewood at the moment, all by hand (well, I do use a chain saw), I've noticed real manual labor isn't something you see much of these days. Heavy manual labor is great, but I'm glad he's not digging by hand all day. That would be way too much.
Since he's the 'new guy' he gets the grunt work of digging the ditches for the install lines, especially around the bushes. The more seasoned workers get the use the trencher. He also has to dig up and around the broken heads back to wherever the pipes have busted so they can repair those...lots of digging actually. The other guys get to lay pipe and replace sprinkler heads lol
Hoping everyone has a blessed day! Thank you Jeff for your excellent reporting on what might be happening behind closed door. Keep praying for our country and leaders!
"Anyway, the Trump Team is now threatening to suspend or cancel transfers to states that can’t or won’t get their unemployment fraud under control.
The real question is: why did this take so long?"
I think the real question is: Why is he only threatening? Why not just lower the f'ng boom on them, then raise the boom if they do get it under control? Use the stick FIRST, then the carrot.
"I would reframe “trust the science” as “constrain the experts.” YES! Please!!
I REALLY wish people who say "trust the science" knew what "science" actually is. Besides never settled, in this day and age it's usually paid for partisans who, amazingly, always seem to get the results that would make them happiest. THAT ain't science, y'all. It just ain't.
Does anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, give a rats ass what Pence thinks at this point?!? He’s not a has been, he’s a wished he was that’s never been.
No. But I'll let you guess why Trump delayed the release of the MOU.
It was to get the Ds and the Pravda to demonstrate they have no idea what's going on, thereby exposing them as frauds, anti-american, imbeciles & liars.
Brilliant. But easy for a person paying attention to understand the strategy.
not coincidental, methinks, that Pence and the Guardian used the same phraseology "what's not in it."
Can anyone say "Wankers"?
Wankers!!!!!
Almost like they got the same talking points ... 🤔
Almost.
It gives one cause to remember the very many voices all claiming, in tones of terror, "this deadly disease" (stress increasing on the middle word). So many different voices. So many voices speaking the same message.
Exactly
I wonder too if the Trump admin leaked different details about the when and how of the signing to catch another leaker (similar to the Camp David meeting leak a few weeks back).
Yes. Almost certainly.
Bingo!
Good point!
And if he stalls until after the mid terms it gives us time to rearm. Them to but I bet we rearm better. TAW.
On that note today he issued an executive order under the national defense appropriations act: get busy making stuff for next round. Another for to put together.
If TAW, then TNL. They Never Learn. One might think that having watched Caracas' China-Russia (wanted to write "Sino-Soviet") sky shield rendered useless before the helis landed, and their own drones et alii (same source) intercepted and destroyed, they'd question the wise use of funds to purchase materiel from Russia. But their ignorance is our gain. Probably no money changed hands anyway.
It's known as the Chauncey Gardiner Strategy.
Yes. You nailed it. Great comment
I like to watch...
Took the words right outta my mouth!
Thar would be New Yorkskaya Pravda....
Thank you Ryan!
Nice point
He certified a fraudulent election. He committed treason and should face justice,...unless he was playing a role at Trump's request. Anything's possible.
You mean Pence, right? A pence ain’t worth much these days.
Well said
Wisely said. I too think many of these wankers are white hat doubles or flips in order to wake up the normies.
More likely, Pence was a plant by the Establishment Republicans' to keep eyes on Trump and report back! Much like they did with Reagan/Bush as VP and Nixon/Ford as VP.
you can take that to the bank
Pence was a useful idiot.
They almost always pair an outsider with an establishment person. I remember when Lieberman wasn't allowed the running mate he wanted. Still, Pence could have taken a deal or flipped.
Yeah that’s more what I am thinking too.
I think Pence could not take the heat of Trump's 'kitchen'. Like most Republicans he has no appetite for risk. Tepid is the word. And now he has to construct mental castles to defend his faint heartedness.
Point well made!
Keep it simple, you got it right when you called Pence a wanker.
Trump keeps everyone guessing. What will he do next? I figure if I know then the enemy does too. This is war...Good vs Evil. And all's fair in love and war.
I'm not surprised he plans to read the MOU on Friday. People are busy on the weekends and the liars won't get to spin it to nearly as many people.
Dont forget the markets on the weekend.
In reading this I was struck with another thought: what if the point of this was to get Congress to ENDORSE a continuing war against Iran, rather than opposing it?
Holy cow I hope you’re wrong. We have been at war my entire adult life. Enough young people’s physical and mental health has been sacrificed. We need to be done.
I understand your feelings about this, but Iran’s murderous, extreme Islamist regime needs to go … forever … by any means required. Just like Hitler.
I used to "feel" that way too. But now i trust the the Pres knows what's actually possible.
And HOW to get there. Trust Jeff to break it down. Sometimes he scares me at first, but he usually helps me to calm down when I don't get everything I wanted right up front.
It took 47+ years (really since brits grabbed Persian oil in 1908) of them killing Americans and driving up energy costs...making it harder for regular people everywhere to be blessed.
Does that sound like God's plan? Harder to be blessed? I don't think it does.
Hitler was empowered by England and Europe's murderous starvation (i.e. Churchill as Lord of the Admiralty insisting on maintaining the blockade AFTER the treaty-6 months i believe) of Germans post-WW1 among other problems with the treaty.
If, like Trump, we were builders and NOT first thinking like destroyers, then we would probably have NEVER experienced either world war.... would've never happened.
It will be destroyed Judith, along with the nations that join Iran. Timing is unknown but victor is known, and it's not the US or IL.
We live in a broken, fallen world. There will always be war somewhere. Until Christ returns and brings lasting peace, we will have put up with evil ruling in the hearts of greedy leaders.
Valerie:
AnnieMarie has it right…..there will always be war somewhere until the Prince of Peace comes ruling with a rod of iron.
Until that time, it would likely be beneficial for some of today’s young people to go into military service and learn to be productive and accountable in their lives which would enhance their mental (and even physical) health.
Even better than that would be to begin attending a Bible teaching church.
😎☝️🙏🌴❤️
Obviously. I don’t know why y’all both felt the need to comment. Doesn’t make me any less tired of our country being at war.
So you are *29 as I?
Pretty close, lol
Right? Congress still doesn’t understand reverse psychology
Affirmative YUP.
The traitor Mike Pence? Absolutely not! It infuriates me every time he inserts himself into national events.
Him and Obama
and Hillary.
Last week, I thought Pence was just trying to scare up some cash selling books. Today, I think he’s running for president in ‘28.
Jerri said “ Today, I think he’s running for president in ‘28.”
Maybe but considering that Pence made more enemies than friends in BOTH parties, does snowball’s chance in hell ring a bell?
His voice and condescending tone alone makes me want to vomit.
This is just my opinion of course: He reminds me of the false prophets in Bibical text, outwardly seeming so pious all the while deceiving the people.
It's called a Pious Fraud...
You’re exactly right…I grew up Southern Baptist, which almost ruined me on organized religion as I’d watch these dudes repent on Sunday and go right back to being sorry SOBs again until they came back and updated their redemptive status. What a bunch of crap!!!
Another recovering Baptist here.
I think the fly on his head said it all.
Some kind of fruity hair gel.
Flys 🪰 are attracted to 💩.
Probably. He thinks he’s something special obviously. And has zero self awareness.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
My opinion, the Pence name is occasionally floated to measure the mood and energy of the nation.
Woe unto us if we sink that low in that yellow bellied traitor’s life time!
It's not so much that he speaks...it's that the MSM reports it. Why? Who cares about his thoughts on anything besides maybe his wife (no) or his kids (no)?
I agree.
The fly was right. 💩
Lol 😆 💩
All other reasons aside, his weak leadership in running the Covid task force should disqualify him from having a say about anything.
It’s worse than that - he is Judas Prnce
Uniparty talk.
Best description of Pence I have ever heard. I may have to steal it.
‘Just two weeks to flatten the curve’, lying SOB!
Wait, are you referring to Judas Pence?!
I remember back then they were calling him (Pence) - Judas, and adding: …at least Judas Iscariot had the decency to off himself.
I do not agree with him offing himself as they meant it, but he should get “off” the world stage and political realm, and go “off” to some obscure place and become a broom salesman or chicken farmer or something. JMO
I’m with ya!
Et tu, Brute’?
Yes, but only in the sense that the opposite of what he wants is likely better.
Splendid analyses, as always.
My exact thoughts. Probably the most irrelevant politician alive.
Unfortunately there are probably quite a few. FOX News types especially.
Thanks Frenchy, I furiously threw up me hands, knocked over a vase of flowers, sent me iPad crashing to the floor when I started to read Pence’s rubbish!
Jeff, this was a sharp roundup. One of the reasons your work hit early during covid is that you’ve always had a good instinct for where the real machinery sits—coercive overreach, incentive distortion, and the administrative‑state cracks most people don’t see until they’re standing in them.
If we zoom out one level, the pattern across all these stories is the same: incentives shifted, cost‑bearing returned, and the underlying structure snapped back into alignment.
Iran: the MOU isn’t a peace deal, it’s a tempo device—pause the conflict, run out the midterm leverage, reset the field.
Remote work: technocrats externalized the downstream costs; once institutions had to bear those costs again, the narrative collapsed.
Unemployment fraud: emergency‑era throughput incentives created a crack; reintroducing friction closes it.
EU migration: USAID’s shutdown removed the subsidy that kept the system distorted; once Europe had to carry its own weight, policy flipped overnight.
Different domains, same mechanism: remove the subsidy → collapse the crack → the system reverts to sanity. And by “crack,” I mean the place where incentives misalign — the gap where someone extracts value without bearing cost. Close the crack and the system snaps back to coherence.
That’s the real through‑line here. Not ideology. Not personalities. Just structure reasserting itself after a long extractive cycle. The story isn’t just that things are turning around—it’s why they’re turning around. When the incentive field changes, the politics follow like iron filings.
—Paul
Great breakdown Paul. I retired full time just prior to Covid. Then found a parttime job. I worked without a taking any time off for Covid. I watched former employees totally abuse work from home. I also found many people around me start to "substance abuse". Amazing with all the shutdowns, liquor stores were booming.
I want to see the turn around. I want to see people communicating without the "which side of Covid are you on" and are you Pro or Anti Trump.
Sadly, it will take time, but I am seeing movement.
"Amazing with all the shutdowns, liquor stores were booming."
That was part of the design of the program. You recall liquor stores were "essential businesses" - but churches were not. Walmart was "essential", but the local Mom & Pop stores were forced to close.
BIGGEST WEALTH TRANSFER OF ALL TIME.
Makes Too Big To Fail look like kindergarten for scammers
🎯 Many were working 2 full time jobs and not doing well at either one. Those employees were fired when exposed. There is even mouse toggle programs to determine if an employee was working or not. Others had software to determine this as work wasn't getting done. Was this Big Brother? Or was it businesses just protecting their profit line that was obviously being abused.
Never was a small business owner, but theft is theft. whether it's stealing an item or claiming you are working when you are not. There were some or maybe many that abused the work at home. IMHO an employer has the right to use whatever means to protect the bottom line.
I love work from home. I retired before covid, but my husband no longer had to commute 100 miles a day, to sit in his office, alone, working. I'm supposed to believe that just having people in other offices around him makes him mentally healthy? Standing around the water cooler? Oh, that's right, everyone carries their own plastic bottle of water nowadays.
I'm pretty sure that his mental health was not affected by working from home. I call bs on that claim. It's right up there with "Video games cause heart attacks".
As someone who had to commute to work my entire career, I can tell you that sitting in traffic for an hour, after you've worked all night, fighting sleep, is no recipe for mental health. It is exhausting and miserable.
And what a waste of gas it is.
Mrs. RW
I am a physician so my work life was unchanged during Covid. I still went to the office M-F. There were some patients who stayed away from the office but others came in for seemingly minor things. I think it was more for the social interaction. People were starving for human interaction. We are not meant to be isolated.
Many jobs require physical presence. Jobs that do not always make me wonder if they’re necessary at all.
There are many jobs that happen behind keyboards and phone meetings/zoom. My concern would be for those in locked-down Cities with no land of their own to give them access to the earth, sun, birds, pets.
Back in the 2000's after completing a 9 month remodeling project, of which I designed and oversaw crews, made most decisions and choices, I sank into a cocoon of comfort next to a remote controlled gas fireplace. Now this was a much deserved Winter rest, but come Spring, the home across the street and to the right of mine, both began projects that lasted more than a year. So, no peaceful gardening (no vitamin D production), a continual array of Strangers in trucks, jackhammers, nail guns, concrete trucks, etc.,(noise 8 hours /day, 5-6 days per week).
I emerged from that with depression, likely induced by giving up outside time in my garden, which was also exercise! Couple that with my walking partner taking a more demanding job and the kids becoming more independent.
I can definitely see how the isolation and lack of peaceful access to nature can cause depression!
Was WFH a conscious method of preparing the masses for job replacement by artificial intelligence?
You might be onto something!
Yes! I would go for a haircut or the chiropractor just to have contact or a hug from a living creature.
I utterly HATE the murderous bastards who did COVID to us. In every form.
I was bringing them their medical protective gear by the ton and yet I was treated as a leper, being a pilot.
We were literally imprisoned in police-run hotels in Australia, locked in your room with no key and the threat of arrest with imprisonment.
Wait for the noon door-knock wait 30 seconds then retrieve your bread and shut yourself back in...or go to prison.
And THEN they threatened to fire us all who refused the jab.
May the fleas of a thousand camels find their crotch.... its that how it goes? 🤣
I'm still all in for The Reckoning (TM)
It's like NOBODY read the book The Great Influenza.
The medical science proved after 1918 that masking and lock downs DO NOT HELP.... they make it FAR FAR WORSE.
I agree. But I also see those who are ‘a people person’ getting depressed , because they do NEED people.
This is an unfamiliar concept to me. I have my husband and I have my animals.
People who need people are not the luckiest people in the world, imo.
Mrs. RW
Please …..quit trying to fit all people into your idea of the right way ! We're all different and one size does not fit all . That works for you but not all !
I was speaking for myself, responding to the "scientists say" in a "study" that working at home causes depression claim.
There is nowhere that I claimed that everyone is like me.
Mrs. RW
I still love my solitude too, Mrs. RW. Our closest neighbor is a mile away who leaves for 3 months in the winter so we are the only people on our road during that time. The nearest town is 35 minutes away. We work on our house, enjoy our animals, watch the abundant wildlife. Life is good as that's all hubby and I need.
One of my closest friends who worked with me as a remote RN is the opposite of me. She loved working from home but craved being around people so she and her husband bought a doublewide on a lake to be close to others. She could get off shift and immediately go boating with her hubby and neighbors. We're all so unique and different.
ha ha, I'm with you Mrs RW. I thoroughly enjoy my solitude. If I need to see people, I'll head on out to the brew pub for a pint and watch them from my table.
That works for you and no one is disputing it ! It does not work for the majority !
I believe the study showed that specifically people who live ALONE had significantly negative impact: “Remote workers living alone spent entire days without human contact,” the summary stated, “and their mental distress, use of mental healthcare, and antidepressants increased acutely.” This would exclude people like your husband who obviously had human contact every day despite his working from home. I myself think that there are people who would do just fine living alone and working from home but I am sure there are many who would be better off with at least one person eyeballing them every day to make sure they are still okay. We are social creatures, and human contact is good for us for the most part.
Accountably is very important.
I agree with you. I love working at home, but I have a wife & kids around & I try and go out for 45 min in the middle of the day
Our daughter had finally worked her way and earned the credentials to land a GS 14 working for the Coast Guard. Her dream job. All they asked of her was to make sure any and all regulatory issues were cleared when they came up. Otherwise, show up and just amuse yourself. She was not happy that she was not included in their meetings, like HR was excluded too. . She wanted the social interaction so much she was looking for another job after less than 2 months. Then she blew her brains out. People are different , so I can vouch for at least one person who both refused to take a job where she always worked from home, or have a job without being part of the group. And this was before the Covid lockdowns . .
I'm so sorry for your loss. That is horrible.
I've seen this with many women who go from working to staying home when they have kids. We started SAHM groups and tried to scoop up the ones with newborns even before they gave birth. Our best one was a fitness group that met 3x weekly plus on weekends once a month. It's a very isolating exsistence if you don't have friends/family around you, helping you and giving you someone to talk to. It was very concerning when everyone suddenly went to WFH with no support.
I agree! I'm not much of a joiner, but I stayed involved in the kids' school, with PTA, music programs, fundraising, field trips and other filling other creative needs the school community had need of. The trouble comes when the kids age out of parent participation requirements. Then it helps to find p/t work.
My SAHM friends—early 80s— had a ‘Stitch and Bitch’ group in the basement of a church where the toddlers and babies could roam while the moms bonded. We are all grammas now and cherish our friendships. Do not know where I would be without my group of 12 girlfriends!
When I lived in San Jose, there was a group of SAHM called Las Madres.
Yes, I did hang out with them, mostly for my kids, though. The kids played and the moms talked. It was nice.
Mrs. RW
Oh God……..I am so, so sorry.
My former dil is very outgoing. She was not living close to any family. WFH almost destroyed her.
Rolandttg, I am so sorry for your loss. We are all different indeed. Many elderly & retirees also struggle if they have been accustomed to having contact with many then suddenly, there is no one around and they feel there is nothing to strive for.
I am so sorry for your loss. You are right, everyone is different.
I hate meetings.
I'm sorry she couldn't find another job in time.
Mrs. RW
Most heart felt condolences, rolandttg. Any of us who have had a child die before us, share a heartache others do not. I am thankful many do not have that sorrow to bare as some days, it feels unbearable.
I know this all too well. Yes, Roland, you have my deepest sympathy.
Oh Rolandttg, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard enough to lose a child but this way is even more heartbreaking. I pray for the repose of her soul, may she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her. May Our Lord comfort you and your family.
😞😞😞😢😢😢💔💔💔
Indeed 😞 A terrible illustration that isolation is very very detrimental to some people’s mental health. Yes there are people who enjoy solitude but there are a whole lot of people who don’t do well with it at all 😞
The study specifically talked about people living alone. And obviously you have no idea.
💯
Agreed, Mrs. RW! I worked for 14 years as a remote telephone triage nurse. We had 400+ practices, were available 24/7/365. This was before working remote was fairly popular. I loved it! Had my own small home office, could focus entirely on my patients with very little distraction. Only a rare time of my dog needing to go out or having to mute my phone when UPS showed up. We had Instant Messaging to keep in touch with co-workers, could work in jammies or not much else during the hot summer months. Fortunately, I retired before Covid so I was able to see the insanity without working in it.
Exactly
The 'circumstances' of life don't necessarily have to govern us. The individual is paramount.
Well stated Mrs. RW. The same people struggling by working at home were probably struggling just a little less in the office. The only difference is the social pressure to keep up is removed when not surrounded by cometition.
That’s true for some - it obviously depends on the circumstances and the individual. But there’s no doubt that for many, WFH was awful for their mental health.
Not all workers are married with a spouse/partner at home for company. If you are single and live alone and then don’t have any social interaction from a work environment, it does take a toll. Individuals are different and work site environments vary greatly. So I don’t see it as black or white, which is better. I’ve worked from home for 14 years with my husband working out of town for much of that. It’s easy to become isolated and not even realize just how much of a hermit you’ve become. I did fine but also made myself reach out to friends to ensure I was getting interaction.
All of Europe has been subsidized by the US. We have paid for their defense, NATO, the UN, USAID and all the open border insanity, etc. that has allowed them to be open borders, have socialized medical programs, free universities, etc., etc., etc. Now that all of our financial support is ending and they are facing the bills and the consequences of the One World agenda, they are changing their tunes. Finally!!! It is a slow but sure reclaiming of their own national identities and some measure political correction going on to support their own citizens and cultures.
Now we need to continue the work here to ensure free and fair elections and tightening our own borders and clearing judicial house so we can be a nation following our amazing Constitution!
I think the US policy (for the longest time) was to protect our European vacations (all is like Epcot/Disney) and all those lovely, varied cultures. But now I don't get the same kick out of a visit to the Top of Switzerland only to have my lower-quality Rösti meal made and delivered by central Africans. Eurodisney no longer.
I know personally about one tiny example of what I consider unemployment fraud, so if this could happen imagine the magnitude of what is out there. In 2020 this then 67 year old non-working woman who has not worked since 1995 when she was 42 (she just stopped working and after that lived with her mother, and then when she was 62 she got early social security to live on) applied for "unemployment" and got it with virtually no effort. I was astounded because not only had she not worked for 25 years, she wasn't even looking to work, so I couldn't figure out how on earth she got all that money. I went to the government website and took a look at the application she filled out. The one and only question she had to answer was whether or not Covid was making it difficult to look for and find a job. Yes or no. That's it. Nothing else was asked, not things like "what was your previous job" or "when did you lose your job", nothing. That was it. She had answered "yes" to that question, filled in her name and all relevant information, there was no interview with anyone, no follow-up of any kind, no verification process, and the money started to flow in. I figured she raked in over $10,000 on that program. Disgusting.
Good Grief! In your frist few sentences, I thought you were describing my older sister! That is until you said, "she was collecting Social Security". We tried to get her to fill out the forms, even printed them for her! She has been living off our elderly Mother's meager benefits and using Mum's vehicle, though refusing to take Mum anywhere.
The vehicle is being sold this week and the money cut off next month! When she was told this, she gives the "deer in the headlight", look of disbelief. These people are complete narcissists!
You should definitely report the fraud! These types actually think that others owe them a living.
Blame it on the seniors?🤣🤣🤣
That is a cogent argument. Thank you for expressing it.
Other people’s money.
I am using that now: IFP -- Iron Filings Politics.
Well said!
EXCELLENT.
✝️✝️✝️
You drew near when I called on You;
You said, “Do not fear!”
O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause;
You have redeemed my life.
— Lamentations 3:57-58 LSB
✝️✝️✝️
Good morning to you all at C&C!
Another glorious day in America. Thanks be to God!
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Douay-Rheims Bible
Trump's critics, including Pence, do not understand how Trump makes deals, how he establishes peace, how he always wins in spite of naysayers, or how he had all his pieces lined up MONTHS in advance of beginning the Iran operation. I'm glad he didn't wait to sign the MOU on Juneteenth. He likes the number 17, for some reason.
I'm watching Promethean Action's breakdown of this MOU right now. They have the transcript and are discussing it. Barbara and Susan are brilliant.
I love those Promethean ladies! At the dr again, waiting…looking forward to their takes later
I hope your day goes well. Later when you watch them, be sure to start at the beginning of the show. They are addressing all the uninformed criticism.
I hope all is well
I am fine, thank you, very pleased to get off of one of the two blood pressure meds I’ve been taking. I went through the hassle of changing doctors to get in with one of the “good ones” in my small town, recommended by church friends. So far, so good - he listens and seems willing to respect my wishes for as few drugs as possible, and no unnecessary procedures! However, they have those posters in the exam rooms from the CDC, pushing the freaking flu vaccine! Arrghh.
I am glad to hear this both regarding your new MD & your health.
Here's the link. It's always a good watch.
https://www.youtube.com/live/fpc3UaagCWc
Thank you!
Totally agree! Barbara and Susan are my heroes! More of us need to contribute to their needful work. Thank you, Dave aka Geezermann, for bringing that up! https://www.prometheanaction.com/
If you’ve read Sun Tzu’s the Art of War, you can understand Trump’s strategy. One is to not do total destruction.
Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
Q
The number 17 is a prime number.
In Italy, the number 17 has the same reputation as our number 13.
One big piece that he obviously didn’t have lined up in advance was the closing of the strait, despite our generals warning him about it ahead of time.
He knew. He had everything in place, waiting . This was planned long before and he knew they would close the Strait.
The thing you don’t seem to understand is that he was lining up ALL the pieces in the Gulf before. He was ready.
Are you saying he was ok with the strait being closed?
Ever wonder why the US Navy was in the Gulf of Oman? Trump, Hegseth, etc, understood all the variables that might occur, and planned for each of them.
Yes! But LONDON closed it (Insurance).
But Trump planned it and then kept it closed to build pressure on Europe and London...along with tariffs to break their budgets on Ukraine.
.
** But FAR BETTER, to wrest control of oil (i.e. global peace and security) from the City of London.
We have won massively over the British Empire and their perpetual war machinery.
Look at Europe now...actually voting to begin to save themselves.
Its ALL only because of Trump's leverage.
Unless the USG is going to permanently insure these ships , this is only a temporary interruption of Lloyd’s money.
So you’re saying Trump purposely let the strait be closed knowing that it would raise the prices of gas, food, and other products on Americans right before the midterm elections, all so that we could temporarily deprive Lloyds of some cash and break the Europeans budgets on Ukraine?
And why would we care about their budgets for Ukraine? I think they’re buying weapons off of us for Ukraine.
Did you get this theory from Promethean?
You don't see all of Europe changing their tune now? Singing tunes of MAGA policy for their own countries?
Do you honestly think that's because they planned all along to completely reverse course on so many policies exactly when "I'm the boss" Trump told them to?
"C'mon man!?"
I notice Jeff mentioned gas prices dropping, that's good, but will it continue? Yesterday even Trump mentioned 4 weeks of reserve. I don't think Jeff mentioned that; sort of like mentioning Versailles without citing the WWI connotations.
I think people are assuming, now that some ships are moving through the strait, all is back to normal. From what I'm reading, normal is months away. A lot of supposed experts are saying it will get worse before it gets better. I hope they are wrong but I'm living like they are correct.
If you need to refill the reserves, it's better to wait until the price drops.
Which is why he should have filled them up BEFORE he went to war when the prices were low. Planning ahead doesn’t seem to be one of Trump’s strong suits.
Good point
I read or heard the same thing. It’s going to take time to get the damaged and shut down wells operating again. In the meantime countries reserves are running out.
Including our own.
Not so. The idea was to have the straight closed, Lloyd's of London (Financial City of London) stop insuring anyone, and have the US take over and deprive the globalists of their oil fear premium.
Exactly. And he lined up our naval ships, our subs, the marines, the air force before they closed the strait.
“ and have the US take over and deprive the globalists of their oil fear premium.”
What does this mean?
The terror premium. I don't blame you for being behind, but you need to watch Promethean Action. Someone posted a You-Tube link above. It's usually 3 times a week, Thursdays are long, but most of their videos are 15 minutes. You will understand everything about Iran in one sitting. The "City of London"---the bankers and Lloyds of London have imposed the terror premium around the Strait of Hormuz for decades & made wild money doing it. Trump is asserting the American Sustem & dismantling globalism right in front of their eyes.
How are we depriving the globalists of their oil fear premium?
Lloyds stopped issuing insurance for ships passing through the straight , so no income from that. Lloyds is Financial City of London (one of the 3 pillars of the globalists) No brainer that globalists know ahead of time what Lloyds is going to do, so they can short or buy puts on oil and make money on that too. Trump took all that away by them freezing themselves out of the market.
By Trump using the USG to insure ships going through the Strait & using the US navy to escort them through. Bypasses Lloyds & that's MAJOR cash that every country has paid for decades for EVERY ship that passes through to pick up oil. See it now?
Well, I know this may "feel" counter-intuitive especially when we are being bombarded on all sides by war propaganda but Iran did NOT close the Strait. The US closed the Strait. Iran never wanted the Strait closed as that was their income. Also, if the Strait is closed too long, that will begin to degrade and destroy their oil fields and their oil production infrastructure.
Trump closed the Strait. That weapon struck at the very heart of Iran's economy. Of course, he would like to shift the blame for high gas prices onto Iran... especially with mid-terms approaching. As to why he closed the Strait, that may be a deeper question than most realize. And I'm very skeptical of Promethean's narrative. They have the slick feel of a deep state intelligence network.
I'm sure you also noticed Trump never said he was really going after the Financial City of London. Promethean Action is not the only one saying that, not by a long shot. I trust no one implicitly , and neither should anyone.
Trump closed the Strait for vessels to and from Iran, but allowed vessels from other ports to go through. Iran then allegedly mined the Strait to prevent those vessels, and used their speed boat ‘Navy’ to try to attack them.
I think Iran closed the strait, it's still closed to US Navy.
As for all of the other theories, we will have to wait and see. I know nothing about Promethean Action, if it's on utube and nowhere else it must be compromised because utube censors anything outside approved narratives. I suspect, but can't say authoritatively that Promethean Action mixes fact with fiction to make it believable. If it is available outside of utube I would listen to see what it's about.
You can follow them on X as well, it is not just YouTube. I disagree, if you have not watched multiple episodes of Promethean action, your assessment that they are mixing fact and fiction is I think wrong in every way. You don’t have to respond, just go watch them. They are historians.
I agree, and I will. That's why I mentioned I knew nothing about them, I was just speculating. Thanks for the info, I'll tune them in soon. 🎯
Iran physically closed the Strait, then Trump enacted a Naval blockade kind of like a checkmate to starve Iran's oil income.
Didn’t Iran threaten to blow up ships unless they paid a toll which is essentially closing it?
In the fog of war, nearly everything we are told, by all sides, is just war propaganda. Ask yourself, could such a threat even be carried out IF the US was protecting the Strait? Then ask, why would Iran want to blow up it's only income source? Doesn't add up, does it?
"Truth is the first casualty of war."
Iran blowing up ships who have gotten oil from other countries isn’t going to hurt their income.
I'll just throw this out there for those who have a bandwidth capable of handling more than just "TAW". This is a very informative exchange between Michael Yon and Alex Jones. To cut to the chase, go to minute 45 and begin listening there....
https://x.com/i/status/2065937511344680964
Regarding the border, I'd have to hear that from some other sources before I can believe it.
Well, you can believe this. The border wall Trump promised us still does not exist.
I’m talking about the decrease in border security accusation.
Being that Trump never brags about the wall anymore, I question whether that is still being built or not.
Either Pence is too dumb to detect a strategy (even after working with Trump for 4 years) or he’s running in ‘28. Sour grapes is a 3rd possibility.
Don’t tell me the day Juneteenth falls on. I don’t know and don’t want to … easier for me since I’m retired.
Gas went from $4.89 to $3.69 in the last few weeks in my area!
$3.07 here in TX down from $3.79 a month ago
$3.39 here in NW Montana. Down from $4.79 this winter.
Here in Commiefornia, I was thrilled to finally see gas below $5. 4.99 at my local Costco.
But Greasy Gav is set to implement more gas taxes starting July 1. So celebrating will be short lived. :(
That guy is such a dick.
He'll be instating the LGBTQ105%P-word discount, as long as you can prove, um, stuff...
It was $3.58 here in E Tennessee yesterday.
It was $3.58 here in E Tennessee yesterday.
It’s been as low as 2.89 in my area but has gone up a slight bit to about 3.29 in the past few days. Our governor decreed a gas and excise tax holiday so that has helped a lot.
It went from $5.69 to $5.39 at the lowest priced gas station in my town in SoCal.
I'm sorry that you live in CA.
What was it on Feb 26, 2026?
I find it hard to believe that anyone is still listening to Mike Pence.
well apparently he has one fan in Running Burning Man
Smirk smiling.
Let’s just report all of that guy’s comments. He’s off his meds, obviously
Easier to block them which I just did. If majority do it, they will be left in their own little echo chamber.
Yep I haven’t even seen any of his comments because I blocked him some time ago. Johnny O got me started on a block fest at the end of March when he made a rude and callous comment on my post about my brother. Then I just decided that I was tired of giving all of these people who are rude and condescending and repetitively negative, the time and consideration they have NEVER given me!
It's a more pleasant experience for sure.
Yes, whatever we do, let's make sure that the guy telling truth here is canceled. This must be a congregation of Democrats!
The truth hurts and it seems many here cannot deal with it. You all react like those college students who Charlie Kirk spoke to and debated. The crazed Dems ended up shooting him. I'll be sure to duck from y'alls anger.
All about dims https://x.com/townhallcom/status/2067244217856856224?
😂😂😂
Doesn't it just burn your ass to realize that I am living rent free in your skull?
LOL…. Don’t flatter yourself…. You don’t live in anyone’s head but your own. You are annoying though.
Appears I have taken up rent-free residence in your head! Knock, knock!
Time for the 3 dot block treatment.
Certainly NOT.
Knock, knock!
seek immediate medial help for your severe case of TDA and lack of common sense
Knock, knock! That is me tapping on the inside of your skull. What a dolt you are.
well you leftist are nothing if not consistent - always go the name calling when you have nothing of substance to say and your comments are idiotic
But, the truth hurts. My comments are all spot on. They expose the stupidity and bully-boy cowardice of Trump and the utter lack of coherent thought among this Cult of Childers here. You are apparently running for assistant tattle tale of the Cult.
This is the greatest example of TACO we have ever seen.
What totally burns my ass…..FIRE about three feet off the ground
I groan every time Fox News has him on.
@Juju- Has who on? Pence?
Oh wait I’m thinking of Pompeo, another traitor
Why are you still watching FOX 🥴😳
I love the evening shows. Most are MAGA, and Gutfeld makes me laugh.
Also, I refuse to watch the other legacy networks, and I know I can count on Fox to keep me informed of the b.s. they are peddling because they constantly highlight it. 🙄 So it’s a “tool.” Sort of how Jeff informs us of what the NY Times is up to so we don’t have to wade through their slop ourselves.
I prefer the other conservative outlets’ reporting, but use Fox to stay informed about the libtard lunacy.
Exactly.
It's great, especially Gutfeld.
Just his fellow Democrats.
Dummy. I'm not a Democrat. You - just like a democrat - can't handle truth and project your own weaknesses on those who point out truth to you.
I don't believe I directed that comment to you. Since I don't permit ad hominem attacks from quarrelsome people and bots, I am now blocking you. I don't have time to play games with you.
No one is…
Awful as it is to read, I hope that the UK Rape Gang Inquiry coming out is another reason the EU is swinging anti-immigration. It’s been all over X, nothing in mainstream media, of course. Thread on X here: https://x.com/mattvanswol/status/2066974274368180556
This is another instance where I am so thankful for Elon Musk purchasing Twitter and allowing this information top finally be shared freely. He has also been very loud about this story himself.
God uses all kinds, and I am grateful for that.
I'm pretty sure that the reason the EU is sending migrants back "home" is that the Kiev regime is running out of meat for the grinder, and the EU wants to keep the grift that is "Slava Ukraine" going.
So they will send more men back to die, while Ursula's slush fund keeps slushing.
Mrs. RW
Wonder how Ursula (and England, France and Germany) voted.
I think that Ursula wrote it. I might be wrong.
Mrs. RW
The traitors who were running Ops out of USAID all need to be hung.
and then pissed on.
The main reason why Starmer and the British establishment in general will not take action is this: https://www.frankwrighter.com/p/epstein-files-the-rotten-state-of
Love Frank, he is spot on!
Isn't he just?
A horrifying read. And decades(!) in the works. I am really without words for the deliberate non-action from multiple UK admins. A clean sweep, as in eradication of all previous parties, must ensue. Otherwise -- civil war.
It’s so disgusting and depraved, and horrifying to think about what those poor children were made to endure and how almost NO adults were willing to try to help them!!!! 😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬
It makes Starmer's "save the kids" social media ban even more disgusting and two-faced.
Sad part of the UK Muslim rape gang news is that this has been known about for over a decade… those poor victims and people who were silenced or imprisoned for speaking out. I know justice works slowly, but I hope they are learning the lesson. It’s never too late.
Mike Pence's opinion is worth neither pound nor pence.....
Good one!
Shoot, his opinion is not only not worth that, it’s not even worth a baggie filled with dog poo 😡
Guess I'm an outlier. I've never been happier than I have been working remotely. Being in- office was what caused me depression and anxiety and painful headaches and had me using all manner of otc pharma to cope. I was also far less inclined to stand up and move a bit since i was always sure I would get in trouble for taking that moment from my work, even though they like to say they want you to stand up every hour or so. Working from home fixed all my problems and made me healthier and more productive.
I already replied that working from home has been a great blessing in our family.
"Studies show" is not convincing to me, at all.
Mrs. RW
Studies usually agree with whatever corporate America wants to do regardless of reality on the ground, imo. Usually just a vehicle to manufacture consent and justify an unpopular position by creating something that can be pointed to to make the majority think they are an unrepresentative minority. Or just plain crazy.
With one working car, possible aspergers, environmental semsitivity, frequent need to keep an eye on my nieces over the summer, and taking care of an elderly mom with heart failure, working from home has been a literal miracle and no studies can ever prove otherwise to me.
I know several people who transitioned to working from home 6 years ago and they still cannot adjust, they really struggle. It’s 100% their fault too, they are just too lazy or stubborn to adapt.
If you want to be with people but you work from home you have to make a small effort to go out into the world to be with people. Very simple. One guy I know has put on at least 50 pounds. In the office he was always walking around and moving constantly and now he just sits all day. I told him 5 years ago to go to the SPCA, adpot a dog and walk it twice each day no matter what. 50 pounds later he still doesn’t listen.
My advice to most people struggling is 1) get a dog and walk it and 2) go take a martial arts class, preferably Jiu Jitsu. You’ll get plenty of exercise and be around people 2-3x per week. Zero people who are struggling have taken that advice. Stubborn and lazy.
LOL... right?!
Here's something that parents and young people should think about.........................................
More Evidence Skilled Labor Is Rising in Value
....Young people are beginning to realize that practical skills tied to energy, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and infrastructure may offer far greater security than unstable corporate office jobs increasingly threatened by automation. Many of the highest-paying opportunities no longer require sitting behind a desk pretending to answer emails all day.
The labor force built on debt, speculation, and endless financial manipulation has had enough.
https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/north_america/americas-current-economy/more-evidence-skilled-labor-is-rising-in-value/
If not for my mom and our one car and my disinclination to leave an elderly woman with heart failure alone with two kids and no car, I'd be looking into those classes at Home Depot on carpentry. I've always been interested in that and electrician work.
I'm quite sure that you are a hard worker and take pride in your work. I am too. Work was always a point of my credibility as a human. The last job i had before I retired required that I work remotely. Everyone at the company (tech) was remote. However, I must say that there are many who need to be supervised, and working from home is a recipe for problems. While I was successful working from home, there were many times I felt that working in an office had benefits for employees AND employers. There are a lot of incredibly lazy people out there who have no business working from home. While good employees work hard, take pride in their work, and do very well, unsupervised people can cause problems. Just my two cents.
My company is pretty respectful of employees and we don't even have any of those nanny apps to plague us. But they track work just the same as when we are on site, or were anyway, and have made it clear that if we aren't getting the work done, individually, we can be required to work on site again. They did call back some departments just because they needed them on site again, but have left others remote which I express gratitude for having that option every time they have an employee survey!
Working from home is great, I would never return to an office setting.
Perhaps you are an introvert?
I'm an extrovert and loved working from home for 14 years. We're all different. ;o)
Wow, interesting.
“constrain the experts.”
I would even find a different phrase for experts. These folks weren’t experts, they were puppets.
Muppets and puppets with someone’s hand always up their backside.
At least put it in quotes—“experts”. 😑
The problem with the work from home, it only really relates to single people working from home. Those that have a spouse that works from home as well do just fine (well, most of them). That coupled with those single folks that prefer work from home (introverts, those with toxic offices) also do just fine. This study to me is an example of a generalization of a specific set of people to poo-poo on WFH. Personally, I believe that if you are NOT seeing customers and you are NOT needed to physically do work on site (repairs, monitor machines, etc) then WFH SHOULD be an option that the person can chose. It shouldn't be only WFH, nor should it only be On-Site. Literally, let the employee chose. Some people not only work better, but save a lot of $ not commuting daily, as well as a lot of time, and love being able to spend that extra time and $ on their family...
Have there been studies on productivity, or customer service satisfaction? I pretty much agree with you, but I've had a few calls with babies screaming in the background, (though call centers can also have loud background noise). A relative of mine does a hybrid schedule where she goes to the office twice a week, which can be a good option.
I can only say that when my husband was working (before they workforce reduced him out after 20 years) from 2020-2023 they were all excited over how much MORE productive their employees were working from home instead of being in the office. In late 2023, they did an abrupt 360 on that, not citing declining productivity but stating that they needed people back in offices. My guess, they had $ invested in offices and they didn't want to pay for them being empty. But that's just info from one one major company.
Probably more like the decline in real estate value due to a much lower rental since so many WFH.
My daughter is single, but she had a dog and two cats that were thrilled to have her home, instead of them being abandoned all day. She was happy to work from home, because her boss was a jerk, always coming into her office to demand the impossible. At home, he could call her, but at least he wasn't in her face.
I think that "experts" will say whatever the bosses want them to say, and I agree that it probably has something to do with real estate values, not human mental health.
Mrs. RW
wow! my first like by Jeff!! :D I've made it to the big time! WHEEEEEE
SYFY. Good to see you here again. How’s your husband doing?
as ok as you can be doing interviews and still not getting a job. We keep scratching our heads over ones like the last one where he had all the qualifications, was even a supervisor doing that exact type of job. They didn't hire him and re-posted the job listing. HR will not call back or take calls. I can only guess it's age related since he has the qualifications and nothing in his background. He is getting about 10 hours a week of gig work digging ditches, but it's hard on him at his age especially since he's been in an office behind a computer his whole life and not out doing manual labor in the FL heat. I wish we had a network or someone we knew who could tip the scales in him getting a job, but no dice.
Have you considered a career coach for feedback? I googled your situation and this is one link that came up.
https://www.careercontessa.com/advice/endless-interviews-landing-job/
I’ll keep praying for you both.
Thanks, I'll forward him this link. I know he went to a job fair (1.5 hrs away in a major city) and they said his resume and cover letter was perfect. So we know that isn't an issue.
If your husband is 55, be prepared for the fact that most any company can hire 2 or 3 youngsters for what they would have to pay him. This happened to my husband. He tried for 2 years to get hired. No dice. So we had to decide to create our own business. So glad we did. Lasted until he could claim full benefits from SS. Give it a thought! When God closes one door, he opens others.
He's not being picky on what the job pays, something is better than nothing. Right now he gets about $200 a week, but that isn't enough to survive on even with the pittance I make. It's not about hiring someone they can pay less when he's willing to take less. They just won't hire him, period. I mean we have 3 teens....can't feed them hungry caterpillars enough right now lol
Digging ditches by hand? Sounds like it, I wouldn't call using a trencher manual labor. It's awesome he would actually do that, he's a rarity these days. Especially in a FL summer. I wonder how his fitness will fare. Digging by hand is great exercise up to a point. All day every day might wear you down, rather than build you up, for an older person.
Yea, he's basically helping with installing and repairing irrigation systems.
OK, sounds more reasonable. As a 75 year old who does a lot of manual labor by choice (dismantling a massive oak with 40 inch logs into firewood at the moment, all by hand (well, I do use a chain saw), I've noticed real manual labor isn't something you see much of these days. Heavy manual labor is great, but I'm glad he's not digging by hand all day. That would be way too much.
Since he's the 'new guy' he gets the grunt work of digging the ditches for the install lines, especially around the bushes. The more seasoned workers get the use the trencher. He also has to dig up and around the broken heads back to wherever the pipes have busted so they can repair those...lots of digging actually. The other guys get to lay pipe and replace sprinkler heads lol
Agree!! Because people are all different, with different needs, situations and personalities! What works well for one might be terrible for another.
Hoping everyone has a blessed day! Thank you Jeff for your excellent reporting on what might be happening behind closed door. Keep praying for our country and leaders!
"Anyway, the Trump Team is now threatening to suspend or cancel transfers to states that can’t or won’t get their unemployment fraud under control.
The real question is: why did this take so long?"
I think the real question is: Why is he only threatening? Why not just lower the f'ng boom on them, then raise the boom if they do get it under control? Use the stick FIRST, then the carrot.
LTMW
Like I have any control over that?
Is the man infallible? Does he have unlimited time?
Am I not allowed to opine about Matters Trump? Is this comment section just for sharing recipes and sports scores?
Knicks in five over the Spurs, and I have a wicked apple pie recipe and a luscious chocolate chip pumpkin cheesecake recipe.
Is that better?
🤣
"I would reframe “trust the science” as “constrain the experts.” YES! Please!!
I REALLY wish people who say "trust the science" knew what "science" actually is. Besides never settled, in this day and age it's usually paid for partisans who, amazingly, always seem to get the results that would make them happiest. THAT ain't science, y'all. It just ain't.
" amazingly, always seem to get the results that would make them happiest"
I would correct one word there - change happiest to wealthy
🎯🎯🎯
Public Health “experts” are medical people who were failures in their own fields and DEI picks.