Update from the Heartland
No.1241
20.10.25 – 26.10.25
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
What matters is the 18 million American citizens who voted in 2020 and chose not to vote in 2024, decide to vote in 2026 and 2028. The MAGAts and ihr Anführer are a minority within the United States of America. They vote! As along as a substantial number of the rest of us choose not to vote for whatever reason, we will get another wannabe dictator in some other form. The MAGAts will decide.
No one can be forced to vote, as least so far in the devolution of this once grand republic. I will continue to contend and advocate for the sense of obligation to vote as a constitutional duty—an obligation of citizenship. I acknowledge that many others assert that people vote for a candidate they like, that inspires them, that gives them something to vote for. I understand and truly appreciate that conundrum, but the fact remains, those who vote decide the direction of the nation. Unfortunately, we have a wannabe dictator or king because the MAGAts voted, and a good chunk of everyone else did not. I, for one, will vote the best person on the ballot. I want a decent human being in that office first and foremost—a person with humility, compassion, good leadership qualities, and respect for others.
Now, for the midterm elections next year, we need a Congress that will do its job as an equal branch of government rather than a bunch of sycophant minions who abdicate their constitutional responsibilities. Every representative and one third of all senators must stand for re-election next year. Some will not seek re-election for whatever reason. Our current employee in the Oval Office has violated the Constitution in myriad ways, not least of which is his direct interference in the judicial process, and his multiple violations of the Emoluments Clause. He should have been impeached (again) months ago. We need a 60+ majority in the Senate to convict him and remove him from office. I do not like the number two in line of succession, but almost anything would be better than what we have. There is always hope that J.D. Vance will rise to the occasion once he is out from the shadow of [the person who shall no longer be named; AKA no name, the orange one, the Felon, et al. There is always hope, until there isn’t.
Last Saturday, the People staged the ‘No Kings’ protest rally in multiple cities across the country. Free people around the globe joined in to denounce fascist and autocratic governments around the world. Of course, no name could not let that be and called for a ‘show of strength’ counterdemonstration. His lackey at the Department of Defense ordered Marine artillery to fire across Interstate-5 that goes through the Camp Pendleton reservation, prompting the state to issue warnings to motorists travelling to and from on the interstate that live artillery was being fired overhead. It was an absolutely bonehead thing to do. The Marines had never done such a thing, and they reportedly thought it was a really bad idea, but they had their orders.
Robert Reich saw the event for exactly what it was and wrote an exceptional assessment.
“The Other Demonstration on Saturday”
by Robert Reich
Published: OCT 20 [2025]
To which, I wrote my opinion. I think that was exactly what it was. No name sought some aggressive counterdemonstration, and he specifically chose California because of the large anti-no name contingent in the state. The Marine Corps has safely conducted valuable artillery training at MCB Camp Pendleton since WW2, well before I became a Marine. This was a dangerous, un-called-for event to feed no name's ego as a strongman dictator. This is the kind of risky thing that malignant narcissism does to the rest of us.
The orange one is seeking US$230M from the USG for the DOJs investigations and indictments of him regarding the Russian influence investigation, the J6 investigation & indictment, and the classified documents investigation & indictment. He is betting that most of us will not remember those violations of law that induced those investigations. I have not forgotten. I have to believe our justice system will see his lame effort at vindication as the travesty of law that it is.
Another interesting and thought-provoking article came this week from Robert Reich.
“The Mamdani Moment – And the Future of the Democratic Party”
by Robert Reich
Published: OCT 24 [2025]
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-mamdani-moment
Generally, I agree with Reich’s opinions, but this one was different. One sentence struck resonance with me. Reich stated, “Better dysfunctional than a fascist cult like the Trump Republican Party.” Abso-f***ing-lutely! So, compared to our current employee, our pool guy would be better than what we have today. The endorsement of Andrew Cuomo by the orange one is the kiss of death from my perspective. There are numerous stated positions of Zohran Mamdani that I do not agree with, but he would be infinitely better than the Felon or any of his minions or associates. The mayoral election in New York City is a limited snapshot, but it may be a bellwether of what is to come next year.
Comments and contributions from Update no.1240:
Comment to the Blog:
“I’m glad the spacecraft at least fulfilled its mission. Those things cost taxpayers a great deal of money.
“I haven’t studied the morning’s news yet, but the Gaza ceasefire seemed to be falling apart already as of last night.
“John Bolton’s central mistake was serving Agent Orange. It appears most of the high officials in DC handle information carelessly.
“The No Kings Day 2 protests deserve your attention for several reasons. They drew at least 7 million protesters in 2700 locations, which is a record, and more people turned out overseas in support. Not one of the USA protesters was arrested, although a few violent MAGA counter-demonstrators were. I sent you separately Robert Reich’s column on JD Vance’s counter-demonstration, which had a dramatic flaw of interest to Marines.”
My response to the Blog:
Yes, they are expensive. Travelling to the Moon, Mars, and beyond is expensive. But, look at what we are learning and what we are going to learn in the process. Perfecting interplanetary travel is quite akin to building steamships, the transcontinental railroad, and commercial grade aircraft—the evolution of human mobility.
Yes, there are signs the ceasefire is under considerable strain, not least of which events of Hamas trying to re-assert its dominance (governance) of Gaza and difficulty of disarming Hamas. If the Hamas leadership and soldiers remain, it does not take much to rearm them. The establishment of a peaceful government and especially a robust law enforcement system must be activated and operated, similar to what was done in Germany and Japan. I am grateful they got the hostages home and some of the deceased returned. The hard part, as in all wars, will be winning the peace. They are a long way from that state.
Certainly, hindsight validates your statement, and I would agree. I think most high officials handle classified material properly, but far too many apparently feel the law and rules do not apply to them—the orange one being the most prominent offender.
I recognize and support your observations of the “No Kings” protests last weekend. The fact that the MAGAts referred to the protests and ‘hate America’ efforts says far more about MAGAts than it does about the ‘No Kings’ protesters.
Another contribution:
“Thank you for your efforts/energy/time to put together your Update. Distributed on this side.
“The John Bolton book The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir (2020 publish date), was, from my own understanding, part of the reason he may have become a target in addition to something many people don't know about Bolton's copious note taking, during meetings discussing national security classified content, or going over materials. Bolton liked to use the classic lawyer legal pads and had done that for decades while serving for various administrations then for Trump's NSA. I had read a mainstream kind of article (sorry, don't recall the source) that Bolton mishandled those legal pads by not destroying any/all classified content he had note taken, and he was storing those either at his home or office. I need to read the indictment I sent last week and see if they make mention of those legal pads. I believe many of us, when we hear a high-level cabinet appointee is charged with harboring classified materials, we think they removed printed DOCS from the W.H. on purpose and had nefarious motives. While Bolton might have been slacking or careless, I don't think he was operating with bad intentions.
“Bolton strikes me as being detailed and careful. Some suggest he was part of the foundation for a ‘Deep State.’ I don't know. I know in the past two decades, I was critical of Bolton due to my perception of him being exceedingly a war hawk. I know Israel loves Bolton and Bolton loves Israel (‘Not that there is anything wrong with that’).
“I have the book mentioned above by Bolton, I need to read it. It was subject of much controversy because during the first term of Trump, it was alleged Bolton revealed national security secrets in the book. I am not sure if it was vetted and cleared to publish, or if parts were redacted.
“I have heard some AM talk hosts say that the W.H. did not influence the decision-actions of AG/DoJ to prosecute Bolton. I just cannot accept that, we saw the Biden administration influence DoJ (FBI under DoJ), and no doubt Washington operates the same way it has since Edgar Hoover was running the FBI, though I am hopeful the level of Hoover corruption has been cleared out.”
My reply:
Thank you for your contribution. It seems to have stimulated a few additional comments from your network that I intend to respond to separately through you, so you can control the exchanges.
I have not read Bolton’s book, and I probably will not do so. To my knowledge, Bolton followed the prescribed USG process for vetting such works. Further, as noted elsewhere, his book was investigated by the prior administration, and the DOJ decided there was insufficient evidence for probable cause, set aside beyond a reasonable doubt. The current administration effort may have uncovered additional information. The federal courts will establish probable cause, not the grand jury. Given no name’s penchant for blatant lying and the blind MAGAt minions currently leading DOJ, I suspect the court will not be impressed with their indictment against Bolton. That said, if the DOJ can present new evidence in a court of law “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Bolton violated the law, then he should be convicted and punished. If that is what happens, then I want the earlier case against no name reinstated once he is no longer protected by his employment; he deserves to be tried, convicted, and sent to prison as well.
That is how Bolton strikes me also. I have never been a fan of his politics, but I do respect his experience and knowledge. I do not support the “Deep State” conspiracy theory and will not comment further.
The current administration is striving to resurrect the old J. Edgar Hoover intimidation and coercion techniques. The courts will have to stop it. Congress is currently impotent by choice.
[The following is a compilation of responses to Update no.1240 through a separate network.]
Contribution A:
“[The Bolton] case was filed and began under the Biden administration. having the current administration cancel it would be a political disaster.”
Contribution B:
“You know –
“Considering how many have come after Trump, and in every imaginable way, and how he pretty much kicks their ass, and then comes back to kick their ass again – why don’t we just agree that he is a very capable and remarkable person?
“He has finally learned how to pick his staff. If there’s two presidents in a room, doing some kind of deal – do you want Trump or the other guy?
“It is remarkable how accomplished Cap is to be so unable to just say Trump is superior to all others before him. Its much more fun to be on the side of a winner. Cap is just a whiner – just sayin.” [redaction mine]
My reply to Contributions A & B:
Apparently, an indictment against Bolton was obtained by the Biden administration DOJ, but I have been unable to find that indictment. To my knowledge, charges were never filed. The no name administration filed its own indictment without reference to any earlier legal actions. The Garland DOJ chose not to prosecute due to insufficient evidence to achieve “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The Bondi DOJ has gone beyond the Garland effort. It will be interesting to see what an experienced federal judge thinks of the Bondi indictment. If Bolton committed a crime, he deserves to be labeled a felon and punished. So far, no name has escaped punishment, but he is still a convicted Felon.
Prosecutors came after no name because he committed crimes or offenses against other citizens. So far, he has avoided punishment by virtual of the Supreme Court’s interpretation of qualified immunity as president. The law decided his fate, not some political hack.
Why don’t we agree? Because he is not as you say. He suffers severe malignant narcissism induced by his father. History will certainly record his presidency, but I highly doubt it will be in the glowing terms you expect. We are all flawed human beings, but he amplifies those flaws to epic proportions made far worse by his employment (qualified immunity and a compliant Congress).
Lincoln and Roosevelt knew how to pick a cabinet to gain the best counsel in trouble times. No name is a very long way from and well below that threshold. Simply watch and listen to one of his public cabinet meetings. His sycophants sing his praises. They do not provide honest counsel.
You can criticize me and call me names all you wish. That is your freedom of choice and of speech. No name is not a winner. He is an accomplish con-man, snake oil salesman, and huckster. I have far too much experience with men like him. So, call me what you will. I know what I know.
Have a great day. Take care and enjoy. Democracy is messy, but it is a beautiful thing when it remains a democracy. Unfortunately, it is also quite fragile and can disappear in a whiff.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
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