Peter Hitchens is an English author, broadcaster, journalist and commentator who, as a foreign correspondent, has in the past reported from both Moscow and Washington. In his 2010 book, “The Rage Against God,” he recounts his ideological and spiritual journey from extreme leftist Marxism-Trotskyism and atheism to right-wing conservatism and faith. He now is a proponent of a strong nation-state, and a social order grounded in Christian morality, duty, and self-restraint. [en.wikiedia.org.]

It is odd, then — being diametrically opposed as I am to nearly everything Peter Hitchens stands for — that I would stumble upon the perfect quote on any subject among his writings. While the specific work is not cited, I found this commentary on mid-20th-century tyrants on goodreads.com, and was struck by its relevance, not only to today’s Russian and North Korean leaders, but to one much closer to home as well:

“Stalin and Kim [presumably Kim Il-Sung] made human idols of themselves because they believed, as utopian idealists always do, in the ultimate goodness of themselves and the unchallengeable rightness of their decisions. There was no higher power, and so there could be no higher law. If people disagreed with them, it was because those people were in some way defective — insane, malignant, or mercenary. The rulers could not tolerate actual religion, because they could not tolerate any rival authority or any rival source or judge of goodness, gratitude, and justice.”

*. *. *

While not in itself a psychiatric or psychological diagnosis, “malignant” narcissism is considered a severe and potentially dangerous form of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), characterized by such symptoms as:

> Seeking power and control, aggression, risk-taking;
> Enjoyment in hurting others, extreme cruelty;
> Exhibiting charm but lacking remorse;
> Paranoia;
> Needing a scapegoat due to inability to accept blame;
> Dehumanization of others;
> Grandiosity, entitlement, and lack of empathy;
> Disregard for the rights of others.

NPD can appear anywhere in the world, among people of all classes. Where those people do not belong is at the head of any nation’s government; but sadly, their disorder is precisely what drives them to seek, achieve and maintain positions of supreme power.

And we all pay the price for it.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/18/25

Unfortunately, we don’t appear to have seen the bottom just yet . . . but it’s not for a lack of trying on his part.

This is Donald Trump’s brand new, gilt-framed “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the White House corridor leading to the West Wing:

If you’ve seen the pictures of the original presentation, you will no doubt notice the recent addition of a plaque — sometimes two plaques — beneath each portrait. Apparently the byproducts of some nocturnal mental spasm on the part of their creator, the plaques — which one might assume would contain brief tributes to each of the nation’s previous leaders — instead display more of his malignant narcissism and his twisted, angry, gut-wrenching jealousy and vengefulness.

A plaque at the front of the exhibit carries a mixed message, saying that it was “conceived, built, and dedicated [by Trump] as a tribute to past Presidents, good, bad and somewhere in the middle, who served our Country, and gave up so much in so doing.” [Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN, December 17, 2025.]

His own plaque, of course, runneth over with accolades for his largely exaggerated or imaginary accomplishments. He references his 2024 election victory, saying that he overcame an “unprecedented Weaponization of Law Enforcement against him, as well as two assassination attempts,” and that he has “delivered” on his promise to bring about a “Golden Age of America” by ending wars, securing borders, and deporting alleged gang members. [Id.]

And next to that lovely piece of self-aggrandizement, we come to the two plaques — because one was insufficient to contain the entirety of his vitriol — for his immediate predecessor, President Joe Biden . . . which isn’t a portrait at all, but a snarky photo of an autopen. Copied in exact detail from Trump’s original text — including his inexplicable initial- and all-caps emphasis — the Biden plaques begin with this charming honorific:

“Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States, Biden oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction.” And it ends with: “But despite it all, President Trump would get Re-Elected in a Landslide, and SAVE AMERICA!” [Id.]

Moving on, we come to . . . whoops! . . . another Trump portrait, for his first term. (The same was done for Grover Cleveland, who also served two non-consecutive terms.)

Next is President Barack Obama, whom he describes as “. . . the first Black President, a community organizer, one term Senator from Illinois, and one of the most divisive political figures in American History.” [Id.]

And, while magnanimously noting some of President Bill Clinton’s achievements, Trump couldn’t resisting adding — despite the irrelevancy — that “In 2016, President Clinton’s wife, Hillary, lost the Presidency to President Donald J. Trump!” [Id.]

*. *. *

I honestly am unable to imagine any individual being so totally consumed by hatred and insecurity that they could even conceive of doing such a thing; and I wonder whether this unspeakable malevolence — churning away at his insides as it must be doing — might even be an underlying cause of his accelerating physical decline, like some sci-fi flesh-eating demon.

In a statement to CNN, when asked for information as to who is paying for the plaques, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered this non-responsive reply:

“The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind. As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.” [Id.]

Yes, I believe he did write some of them himself — and we can guess which ones. But as for the “student of history” . . . well, I doubt that includes anything earlier than his own birth.

In any event, we can but hope that the next occupier of the Oval Office will have the decency to remove the plaques, and replace the autopen photo with an actual portrait of President Biden. Because what the White House needs, in addition to some old-fashioned courage, integrity and empathy, is the return of class.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/18/25

This was the plan:

And this is the reality:

A few weeks ago, I reported on the latest undertaking of Trump son-in-law, real estate mogul, and diplomat-come-lately Jared Kushner: a proposed $500 million, five-star Trump hotel/apartment/museum complex in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. In and of itself, it sounds like just another bigger-than-life, money-making Trump family tribute to themselves . . . until you look at the fine print.

To begin with, this project would require tearing down the historic, bombed-out General Staff building dating back to Serbia’s conflict with Kosovo . . . a proposal vehemently opposed by the people of Serbia who suffered greatly in that war and consider the site to be hallowed ground.

Of course, the Trumps aren’t known for their sentimentality or empathy. What they are known for, however, is their willingness to do anything for another billion dollars — including shady deals with dictators, tyrants and crooks.

Which brings us to Serbia’s current president, Aleksandar Vucic: an autocrat whose national oil company is under U.S. sanctions due to its majority stake being owned by Russia’s Gazprom and Gazprom Neft. Despite his well-known friendship with Vladimir Putin, Vucic has been making overtures to the Trump administration in hopes of gaining relief from those sanctions, and has been trying to push through legislation that would remove the designation of the property in question as a cultural heritage site.

In fact, that designation had already been removed by Serbian Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic — who has now been indicted by Serbia’s own Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime. And just hours after news broke of the indictment, Jared Kushner’s investment company, Affinity Partners, issued a statement saying that the proposal had been withdrawn:

“Our vision for the Belgrade project was to offer an elegant, uplifting design that honored Serbia’s progress. We are proud of the architecture our team created. Because meaningful projects should unite rather than divide, and out of respect for the people of Serbia and the City of Belgrade, we are withdrawing our application and stepping aside at this time.” [Nevena Bogdanovic and RFE/RL’s Balkan Service, December 16, 2025.]

I’m sorry . . . I just can’t get past that “meaningful projects should unite rather than divide” comment. I wonder if his father-in-law wrote that for him while he was tearing down the East Wing of the White House.

But to continue . . .

As for Vucic, he has gone swiftly into damage control mode, announcing that he will “personally file criminal charges [against] all those who participated in the witch hunt and the destruction of the investment,” accusing them of the “economic sabotage of Serbia.” [Id.]

And, in what sounds like a classic Trumpian sulk, he added:

“We will now be left with a destroyed building, and it is only a matter of time before bricks and other parts start falling off it, because no one will ever touch it again.” [Id.]

And finally:

“There was never any corruption, nor was that ever the intention.” [Id.]

No, of course not. Which is why, instead of, say, restoring the remaining structure and repurposing it as a school, a library, or a hospital for the benefit of the people, he plans to go after the Prosecutor’s Office for “the destruction of the investment.”

Not the building . . . the investment.

Because, as he has learned from his idols Putin and Trump, it’s all about the money.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/17/25

War is not funny. In truth — and as first stated by American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman — war is hell.

Diplomacy, on the other hand, can sometimes be friggin’ hilarious. And that is especially true when the words issue forth from the Moscow Kremlin.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his U.S. and European allies work frantically to finalize a peace proposal that has even a prayer of being accepted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman and all-around good sport Dmitry Peskov — though admitting that Moscow has not yet seen the latest proposal from the West — nevertheless said yesterday that Zelensky’s call for a Christmas truce was not satisfactory. In his words, what Russia wants is not a cease-fire, but a final overall peace deal to stop the war. This is what he said . . . and apparently what he expects the rest of the world to believe:

“We want peace. We don’t want a truce to give Ukraine breathing space and prepare for a continuation of the war. We want to stop this war, achieve our goals, secure our interests, and guarantee peace in Europe for the future. That’s what we want.”
[RFE/RL, December 16, 2025.]

Oh, Dima! You slay me . . . you really do. Seriously: who needs stand-up comics like Yakov Smirnoff when we have you?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/17/25

On Monday, December 15th — as the world mourned two horrific mass shootings and the murders of a beloved Hollywood couple — the White House chose to focus on announcing the engagement of presidential namesake Donald J. Trump, Jr., 47, and model/socialite Bettina Anderson, 39.

And I asked myself: WHY??!!!

Aside from the obvious question — “Why was the announcement timed so inappropriately?” — I have to wonder why a woman who obviously has everything — money, social position, and really good teeth — would choose to attach herself to any member of the Trump family?

Then it occurred to me: Maybe it’s because her wealth and social position pale in comparison to those of the Trump clan and she yearns for more, or simply because she is colossally stupid. Or both. In any case, there really is no accounting for taste.

Based on Don Jr.’s record — divorced by his wife Vanessa after 12 years of marriage and five children, then engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle who quietly fled the scene at some point — as well as his general character (or lack thereof), I’ll wait to see if they actually make it to the altar before placing any bets on the future of this pair.

But before then, Bettina might do well to request a private sit-down with Melania.

*. *. *

Then came Tuesday, December 16th, and another surprise announcement: Conservative journalist Brian Glenn has chosen to solidify his two-year relationship with — OMG! — Marjorie Taylor Greene??!!!

Seriously?

After two years together, I suppose he knows what he’s doing. And presumably they are politically compatible. But I am unable to fathom why anyone would choose to spend their remaining years with someone described (in her Wikipedia biography) thus:

“Greene has promoted Islamophobic, antisemitic, and white supremacist views including the white genocide conspiracy theory as well as QAnon, and Pizzagate. She has amplified conspiracy theories that allege government involvement in mass shootings in the United States, implicate the Clinton family in murder, and suggest the attacks of 9/11 were a hoax. Before running for Congress, Greene supported calls to execute prominent Democratic Party politicians, including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. As a congresswoman, she equated the Democratic Party with Nazis, and compared COVID-19 safety measures to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust, later apologizing for this comparison. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Greene promoted Russian propaganda and praised its president Vladimir Putin. Greene identifies as a Christian nationalist.”

There is more revealed in her bio, but it’s just too exhausting, so I’ll stop now.

*. *. *

As Shakespeare famously wrote in “The Tempest”:

“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”

And perhaps that’s all the explanation we need.

*. *. *

Anyway, I wish all of them the best of luck. Really. No, seriously . . . I mean it. Honestly. I’m not kidding.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/17/25

And so have the Pulleys.

Let’s start with Justin and Anita Pulley, back on the farm in Nizhny Novgorod. On their own YouTube channel, they turned up on Sunday with Justin showing us around the property as he herded the sheep and cows from the barn to the pasture for some exercise and food. There were also a few additional shots of Justin doing some minor construction work with one of his children watching.

Though the Feenstra house and other buildings were clearly visible, Justin didn’t mention that this wasn’t his own property until the very end of the video, when he spoke of “holding the fort here.” And even then, he failed to identify the property as the Feenstras’ Countryside Acres farm. This was just about his family.

The video closed with wife Anita in the kitchen of their cottage, prepping for dinner . . .

. . . and this parting shot of their YouTube cover:

While the Pulleys are a lovely family, they’re not the film stars the Feenstras have become, and appear somewhat shy on camera. Yet someone was obviously there to film them; whether pre-arranged by Arend Feenstra personally, or by Russian authorities in charge of propaganda, remains uncertain.

*. *. *

And just a day later, Arend and Anneesa stepped into the spotlight for their first outing back in Canada, where they were stocking up on groceries for their clan.

They were, not surprisingly, focused on comparisons: what products were available that they had missed in Russia (bacon, frozen vegetables, and chips), as well as relative prices.

As they mentally converted Canadian dollars to rubles, it seemed as though they were spending just a little more in the West . . . though they conveniently neglected to mention the disparity in average income between the two countries. Their bill came to 479 Canadian dollars (about US $348), or roughly 27,000 RR; according to Arend, their weekly grocery bill in Russia averages around 28,000 RR. So life in the workers’ paradise is not cheap. And Anneesa — typically less politically correct than her husband — allowed that they had purchased a few things that day that they would not have needed to buy “at home.”

Two things stood out during this filming. First was Arend’s difficulty in distinguishing between “we” and “they” — seemingly torn between his Canadian and Russian identities. He is trying very hard to sound like a loyal Russian resident (if not yet a citizen) . . . even saying a few words in Russian. But it appears that, after two years, the transition isn’t yet complete.

Most interesting, however, was the insertion of a well-scripted commercial: a full-blown advertisement for his new VPN service, CyberGhost VPN, complete with visuals:

Like other VPNs, Romanian-owned CyberGhost offers that all-important privacy feature. Arend did not explain why he elected to subscribe to a VPN in the first place . . . most likely because it was due, at least in part, to Russia’s recent crackdown on international social media . . . nor how he had decided on CyberGhost. And that specific VPN — which did not even make Forbes’ top-ten list — may well have been the result of an incentive, such as free service in exchange for his enthusiastic promotion. Whatever the reason, Arend Feenstra is proving himself to be a canny businessman as well as a skilled farmer.

*. *. *

So with the Feenstras safely ensconced in their native Canada, at least for the time being, we are once again able to follow them through their latest adventures . . . and hopefully to learn more about their short- and long-term future plans.

I have some thoughts of my own on that subject (of course), but I’d prefer to keep them to myself for the time being.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/16/25

December 16th seems to have been an auspicious date in several parts of the world back in the 1700s.

To begin with, on this date in 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven was born, presumably kicking and screaming, in Germany.

Now, I appreciate History.com’s daily reminders of historic events; but I have to take issue with their brief description of the musical genius who continued composing some of his most masterful works after losing his hearing. What they wrote was:

“German composer and influential figure in Western classical music with works like ‘Symphony No. 9.” [“This Day In History,” History.com, December 16, 2025.]

My point: Isn’t that like saying that Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian artist who once painted a church ceiling? Come on, people . . . let’s give credit where credit is due. Surely, Schroeder would never have described his idol in such understated terms.

*. *. *

But moving on . . .

On December 16, 1775, a baby girl was born to George and Cassandra Austen in Hampshire, England. The seventh of their eight children, they named her Jane, and raised her in proper English fashion . . . meaning that she would eventually marry and have a family of her own. But Jane was blessed (or cursed) with intelligence and an independent spirit, and chose instead to become a writer. Thus the world inherited “Pride and Prejudice,” “Emma,” and “Sense and Sensibility,” among other treasures.

Thank you, Jane, for following your dream throughout your too-short life.

*. *. *

And on this date in 1773, in the British colonies across the Atlantic Ocean in America, a group of colonists — fed up with British taxes and other forms of political oppression — disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians, boarded three British tea ships, and threw one hell of a tea party, dumping 342 chests of the cargo into Boston Harbor.

It is unclear whether scones were also served. But we do know that the festivities, followed by retribution from the British in the form of the Coercive Acts of 1774, ultimately led to an all-out revolution. As we also know, the colonists won, and over time the two countries became — and still are — the best of friends, sharing many a “cuppa” throughout 250 years of trade, a couple of world wars, and a few recent royal and presidential scandals.

So let’s raise a glass to December 16th . . . altogether an outstanding day in history.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/16/25

This past weekend has been so unspeakably dreadful, I find myself once again turning to the Bard for comprehension and solace.

There is no other way to frame it: the world has just experienced two days of unimaginable horror — the mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; the even more deadly attack on a Jewish holiday gathering at Bondi Beach in New South Wales, Australia; and the murder of actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele at their home in Los Angeles, California.

Three unrelated incidents, with one thing in common: they were all hate crimes.

Whether or not the perpetrators were mentally unbalanced is not the principal issue. Whatever their state of mind, they were each compelled by an uncontrolled rage to take the lives of other human beings — in two cases, total strangers.

The world has become saturated with the kind of hatred that causes people to strike out at each other, whether verbally, physically, or with deadly weapons. It seems impossible to speak without upsetting someone; and too often, that upset quickly turns to fury.

(Case in point: the despicable verbal reaction from the White House to the brutal death of Rob Reiner.)

As we deal with the grief and horror of the events we have just witnessed, we also struggle to understand what is driving this widespread contagion of anger and hatred. And perhaps Shakespeare had the answer when he wrote:

“In time we hate that which we often fear.”

– William Shakespeare, “Antony and Cleopatra,”
Act I, Scene 3

The obvious next question is: How do we — each in our own way — identify and control the fear? I wonder whether Shakespeare had the answer to that one.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/16/25

We are all aware by now of Donald Trump’s brutal campaign against the administration of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, the deadly attacks on boats carrying suspected drug runners from that country, and his threatened assault on the nation of Venezuela itself.

But it may be useful to look back 15 months at some of the history of the Maduro regime and its long-standing problem with systemic corruption. Here, as a gentle reminder, is what I wrote in September of 2024:

*. *. *

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed president, Nicolas Maduro, has had his share of issues lately. Aside from the legitimacy of his presidency itself being denied and protested, he has been widely criticized for his friendship with Russia’s Vladimir Putin; had his illegally-purchased $13 million plane seized; and had to fight off growing political unrest among Venezuela’s citizens who are fed up with his authoritarian rule. And that’s just for starters.

But he believes he’s found a way to keep his people happy, or at least distracted . . . for the next few months, anyway. On his weekly television show on Monday, he proclaimed:

“September smells like Christmas! This year and to honor you all, to thank you all, I am going to decree the beginning of Christmas on October 1. Christmas arrived for everyone, in peace, joy and security!” [Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, September 4, 2024.]

Well, that ought to do it — particularly for the dissidents he’s thrown into prison. And for opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, who has been accused by Maduro of “crimes associated with terrorism,” and is now the subject of an arrest warrant issued just hours before the big Christmas announcement.

Since the start of the protests over the election, some 2,400 people have been arrested, and Human Rights Watch says it has documented eleven related killings. (Non-governmental organizations have reported 24 people killed.) Maduro has ordered two new prisons to be opened, and has called for “everyone in the streets to be imprisoned.” [Id.]

If they were speaking Russian instead of Spanish, I would swear . . . well, never mind.

To say that things are not going well in Venezuela would be a gross understatement. Obviously, then, what we need is a little . . .

That should fix everything. Yeah . . . right!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/5/24

*. *. *

But that was then. What about now?

Not much seems to have changed in Venezuela in the past 15 months. Yet nothing that Maduro or his supporters have done can justify Donald Trump’s and Pete Hegseth’s murderous attacks on boats, in international waters, that may or may not have been carrying drugs, and may or may not have been headed to the U.S. (which, in any event, seems virtually impossible, given the small size and fuel capacity of the boats and the great distance from Venezuela to the nearest point in the U.S.). Those attacks have been blatantly illegal, inhumane, and inexcusable.

Furthermore, the hypocrisy of Trump’s attempt to justify his actions by labelling them attacks against a corrupt regime is simply laughable. Has he even looked in a mirror lately?!!

One thing he did get right: Maduro is scum. Still, shouldn’t it be up to the people of Venezuela to unseat him? Since when does Donald Trump give a flying fig about corruption?

The truth is, he doesn’t. In reality, it’s all about that rich, abundant Venezuelan oil. The fight against drugs and corruption is just an excuse . . . the cover he needs for his own corrupt regime.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/15/25

It seems that, in addition to old Will Shakespeare, I can always count on Eleanor Roosevelt to provide just the right words of wisdom to fit any situation or circumstance.

And as the crisis in Ukraine drags on into yet another week of endless meetings and attempts to reach a fair and just agreement that will both end Russia’s assault and secure Ukraine’s (and Europe’s) future existence, Mrs. Roosevelt’s words make it seem so simple and obvious:

“Justice cannot be for one side alone,
but must be for both.”

Now all that remains is to convince Vladimir Putin of that — and, apparently, Donald Trump as well.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/15/25