The home front in question being, of course, this place . . .

. . . or what’s left of it:

But let’s try to overlook the sacrilegious external devastation for now, and see what’s going on indoors, even as its principal occupant is traveling in the Far East, making life difficult for yet another segment of the world’s population.

First, there has been more talk — mainly from former insider Steve Bannon — about a plan for Donald Trump to run for the presidency again in 2028, when he will be 82 years old, presumably even more demented than he already is, and Constitutionally ineligible for another term.

“Impossible,” you say? Maybe . . . but Trump himself doesn’t seem to think so, having raised the subject more than once. Aboard Air Force One a couple of days ago, however, he said — not quite truthfully, but what else is new? — that:

“I haven’t really thought about it. But I have the best poll numbers that I’ve ever had.” [Bernd Debusmann, Jr., BBC, October 27, 2025.]

Seriously . . . Where does he get this stuff?!! According to The Economist, his net approval rating as of today is -17%. That’s minus 17%, down half a percentage point since last week. The polls show a 39% approval rate, 56% disapproval, and 5% uncertain (or simply too tired to care).

But Bannon, who inexplicably continues to support his former boss, remains unmoved. Ignoring the statistics, he told The Economist:

“Trump is going to be president in ‘28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that. At the appropriate time, we’ll lay out what the plan is.” [Id.]

*. *. *

All right, enough of that nightmare scenario.

In other delightful news, ICE has taken into custody British author and commentator Sami Hamdi, who has been in the U.S. on a speaking tour. He spoke at a gala of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Sacramento, California, on Saturday, and was about to travel to another CAIR event in Florida when he was detained at San Francisco International Airport. His visa has been revoked, and he has been told he would be deported rather than be allowed to continue his scheduled tour. His crime? Speaking out against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Following Hamdi’s detention, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin posted on X:

“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country.” [Reuters, October 26, 2025.]

CAIR issued the following statement:

“Abducting a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator on a speaking tour in the United States because he dared to criticize the Israeli government’s genocide is a blatant affront to free speech.” [Id.]

But this is not a unique event; it is just one of numerous cases of visitors’ visas being revoked for speaking out against the late Charlie Kirk, and of holders of student visas or green cards being deported for criticizing Israel or voicing support of Palestinian causes since January. It has become standard government policy to silence those who dare to disagree with Trump.

And it is no different than this man’s modus operandi:

Vladimir Putin was elected to his first full term as president of Russia in 2000, when that country’s Constitution provided for two consecutive four-year terms. But by ramming through Parliament — which, of course, he controls absolutely — a series of Constitutional amendments extending those terms, he has remained in office for a quarter of a century, and is good to go for at least one more six-year term. Because that is how dictators operate.

And thousands of journalists and political dissidents are currently languishing in Russian prisons and penal colonies, charged with specious crimes but in reality for having committed the simple act of speaking out against Putin’s war in Ukraine, or criticizing any of his oppressive laws and policies. Because that, too, is how dictators roll.

So I ask you: Other than physically, what difference is there between these two?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/28/25