Disgrace In Minneapolis

Kristi Noem defended the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, despite videos showing that it was an overreaction by the ICE officer. We have cowboy policies being defended by cowgirls. That victim might as well. have been living in Caracas under Maduro. Trump helped cut his Venezuelan victory lap short by blaming the shooting on the radical left.

Elsewhere, we have another Trump cowboy denigrating an American hero and astronaut. In reality, Hegseth is making Mark Kelly viable for 2028

Locally, I'm watching the 7th District race. Unless Mackenzie stands up against the Administration's recklessness very soon, it will matter little who wins the heated Democratic primary.

ADDENDUM: I keep hearing that the officer had the "right" to fire, but was shooting her the right thing to do? ... Not by a country mile.

Plunderer-In-Chief Trump

The consequences of the 2024 election are coming home and abroad to roost much harder and faster than Trump's critics could have imagined.

Trump is warning the Republicans that if they don't win the mid-terms, he will be impeached. He doesn't realize that unless they speak out against his recklessness, they won't be re-elected. His threat against Greenland is an invasion too far. Even though Rubio tried to soften the language, NATO is beginning to realize that they are threatened from both the east and west.

Trump's support was based on MAGA and partisan sycophants. MAGA is beginning to realize that Trump cares more about golf courses than grocery prices. Even that January 6th revisionist demonstration didn't play well.The partisan sycophants read the poll numbers. As much as they liked a winner, they like winning more than any person.

We would all be better off if Trump played more golf.

United States Becomes United Fruit

In the early 1900's, the United Fruit Company installed a president in Honduras, and the phrase Banana Republic came into fruition. We now have a president in the United States who is telling the Western Hemisphere what the new rules are.

Apparently, all natural resources are ours for the taking. Considering Trump thinks that climate change is a hoax, those indigenous people in the Amazon better move out of the way. The new White House ballroom wants a mahogany ceiling.

My pro Trump readers at Molovinsky On Allentown are in an uproar. They tell me that my sources are leftist propaganda, while they have a direct line to the truth. Their Trump is the best thing that has happened to America since baseball and hot dogs.

General Trump

From the photos released from the Situation Room at Mar-a- Lago, you would have thought that Trump was directing the invasion of Normandy in 1944. At any rate, he's quite taken with his new chops as Commander-In-Chief.

Less than a day later, he's talking that we need Greenland, and Cuba was told that they're next. He is braying about a Don-roe Doctrine. Here's a man who already had four star delusions of grandeur, being toasted by his appointed and anointed sycophants.

Although we will certainly profit from pilfering Venezuela's oil, his aggression will not play well on the world stage. Although we may have the most powerful military in the world, our long term economy is dependent on international stability. 

the SOON meme shown above was posted by the wife of Trump Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller.

A Congressional Test

Trump just came off a big weekend with the Venezuela snatching of Maduro. MAGA and the Republican hierarchy are basking in a perceived accomplishment. While momentous for the American oil industry, time will weight the real results for everyone else, including the Venezuelans.

Meanwhile, last week Trump had vetoed a Colorado clean water bill for political reasons. Trump claimed people are leaving Colorado anyway, because one politician is bad and another is scum. Only in Trump's mind is that relevant to a veto. The bill had passed both houses of Congress unanimously.

When the Venezuelan chest beating subsides, and the slur against congressional leaks is considered along with the Colorado veto, we'll see what Congress is made of. If there was ever a veto which demanded an override, it is the Colorado Clean Water Act. With Republican incumbents facing the midterms, and the veto so egregious, I think that the Republicans will have to finally assert themselves.

Colorado National Monument Park

Trading Bananas For Oil

A century ago we managed Central and South America for bananas and rubber. Trump has now decided that he and the oil industry can have Venezuela. For months we heard pretenses about drugs, but at Saturday's press conference Trump wasn't hiding his cards, we're there for the oil.

When Trump and Hegseth bragged on about the military operation, you might have thought that they had extracted Putin from the Kremlin. Caracas isn't Moscow or Peking, but China has invested in Venezuelan oil production, over a $billion. While Hegseth and Rubio fell over each other praising their boss, they would be better serving their country gauging world reaction, which doesn't share their pride.

We also heard that Congress couldn't be trusted to be in the loop, they leak too much. If congress has been passive about Trump's unilateral decisions, now is the time to speak out. Perhaps Fetterman is correct wearing sweatshirts, at least you can't call him an empty suit.

In 1912 we were satisfied with bananas

An Identity Crisis In 2026

Yesterday, I claimed that I was going to become more fashionable, but little did I know that I was only a few hours away from an identity crisis. 

Long time readers of this blog have been recently accusing me of TDS. Seems like my questioning of Trump, and especially his cabinet picks, didn't resonate well with them. I always labeled myself as an independent, so this new criticism of me was almost complimentary. In addition to the blog, I'm also an administrator of a Facebook group. A member there accused me of pushing my rightwing politics when I posted a link to the Amanda Seyfried post. He said my explanation that she was an Allentonian was a BS excuse, and he left the group. So by noon, I was a liberal here, and a Trumper there...But, it got more confusing. I commented on a national site, and a reader stated that I was a Democratic Socialist, using a fake Russian sounding name for emphasis. Who am I?

Meanwhile, back here in the blogosphere, I was again changing the name of my other blog back to its original title. I'm always annoyed by the verification process all the offices use now. I get an email that I have a message from LVHN. I go to their site, and I have to get another email with a verification number to read the message. The message is wishing me a calm year...We'll see.

A Progressive Fashion

New York new Mayor Mamdani is taking the oath of office in an abandoned Manhattan subway station. New Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel is taking his at a public housing development. 

My New Year's resolution is to be more fashionable. For progressives like Mamdani and Siegel, there's always a new cause. This year it is affordable housing. I remember before I first started blogging, some Allentown non-profit did a building on 10th Street. Until they were done, it cost about $500k a unit, and that was thirty years ago! I was thinking at the time that for the same cost, they could have bought all those people a condo in a resort. Reilly's new affordable apartments construction at the old Morning Call site is framed out of wood, why not use cardboard?

Anywho, I will be more fashionable for 2026. New clothing and a new hair style is on the way. If you see an old man who looks like me, he just got my old clothing.

An Allentown Star's Controversy

There is probably nobody reading this who knows less about Amanda Seyfried and Charlie Kirk than me. I never saw a Amanda Seyfried movie, and I never heard a Charlie Kirk podcast. I actually never even heard of Kirk prior to his murder. 

I did however know that Seyfried grew up in Allentown, and attended William Allen High School. Although she has made it clear that she abhors anybody being the victim of violence, she has pushed back for not apologizing about saying that Kirk made hateful statements.

Kirk has been lionized by both Trump and Vance. Jimmie Kimmel was suspended from his show for not showing due reverence to the shooting. Likewise, Trump has been criticized for his reaction to the Reiner deaths. This post isn't to keep score regarding sensitivity, or lack thereof. Suffice to say that it is something which is hard to have too much of.

Amanda Seyfried at Allentown Farmers Market

Democratic Dustup In Allentown

There is a commotion in the Allentown Democratic Party over the  candidate for the special election to replace resigning Josh Siegel. Siegel is moving on to be Lehigh County Executive, having handily defeated Roger MacLean.

The above referenced commotion is that the selection process being utilized supposedly favors Julian Guridy. For the next regular election of District 22, Guridy will face Ce-Ce Gerlach in the primary.

While several other candidates, activist Lewis Shupe among them, wished to be considered for the special election appointment, there is an  irony not being discussed elsewhere. This old blogger remembers why the 22nd District was created in the first place...it was to represent the growing Hispanic Community. The first victor was the very un-Histpanic Pete Schweyer. After another redistricting, very un-Hispanic Josh Siegel won the spot.

It is assumed that the Republicans will be a no show for the special election (and the regular to follow), and that the appointee will have a heads up for the next regular primary in May.

shown above is Ce-Ce Gerlach welcoming a Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club member to a street fair she organized in 2013.

Warning of a "Bad President" Dominating Washington

Earlier this year when it became apparent that Trump's amateur cabinet was becoming detrimental to the nation's welfare, this blog began speaking out. As the damage added up, I felt compelled to call out our silent, local Washington representatives, first as compliant, then complicit with veering away from our nation's moral compass.

My conservative readership, Republican first and foremost, started accusing me of TDS, which is a poor excuse for deteriorating leadership. Partisans slowed down commenting in protest. When Mackenzie signed the Democratic petition, explanations mentioned that we're in a purple area.

We're in more than a purple area, we're in a condition red. I had posted that unless Mackenzie stood up, he wouldn't be re-elected. It is now becoming apparent that unless the Republicans forcibly act out, Trump  will be using our military on personal whims. Whether they can restrain him, remains to be seen.

Bill O'Reilly Drinks Trump Potion

As a blogger, I'm constantly accused of watching and listening to the wrong fake news, depending upon the persuasion of the reader I'm offending at the time.  I never reveal which news sources I read/watch, and never presume that any of those sources knows the whole story.

I hadn't heard of Bill O'Reilly in a long time. I always found his demeanor annoying. Recently, I heard him on a news type show, and it was alarming. Trump had given Bill a tour of the White House, and the old pontificator was very impressed. He raved about Trump's decorations, and said that it would give Trump an advantage with any visiting world leader.

Trump showed him his new presidential gallery, where he has replaced history with his uninformed opinions about previous presidents. O'Reilly should be restricted to hosting bingo parties in senior living faculties.

Molovinsky Christmas Tour

Recently I posted about Bill White's recommended Christmas Light tours.  I hope that caravans of  new SUV's are taking White's tours, because he publishes his recommendations every year.  Bill, after all these years,  has his job down almost on autopilot;  Christmas light tours,  Eating his way through Musikfest,  Cake contest at fair, Grammar columns,  Hall of Shame, Worst sentence writer. etc., etc.

Anyway, I recommend that nobody take my light tour,  it's in the hood in center city Allentown. Actually, the block shown has had its share of crime in recent years. The alley is narrow,  so there is no passing another car.  The double parkers get very annoyed if you beep your horn.  Best to stick with White's tours out in suburbia, with the inflated decorations that are flaccid during the day.  Personally,  I prefer the center city house decorations.  There is something so much more inspiring about decorating a low income house, many of which are rentals.  It makes me feel better and more hopeful about downtown.

reprinted from December of 2017

This blog has been published every weekday, including holidays, since 2007.

The American Dictatorship

With 60 Minutes killing its exposé on Venezuelans in the El Salvador prison, we have effectively entered an era of censorship. Between Trump privately filing lawsuits, and government approval needed for mergers, the price of speaking up is currently very expensive for corporate America.

A small time pizza blogger like myself can still speak the truth, but for how long? We have turned the Navy into pirates, and are going to build new Trump Class battleships. Trump campaigned against forever wars, but now we throw threats around the Western Hemisphere.

I do sense an awaking. I believe that the incumbent Republicans facing midterms are beginning to appreciate how out of control Trump has become. MAGA itself is starting to splinter on several issues. Between his ego and truth bending, each speech strains his credibility more and more.

Another Shift For Jared Isaacman

Isaacman's second appointment to lead NASA took, unlike the first. He obviously has whatever administrative skills are necessary to run an organization, having started and turned Shift4 payroll into a national success.

Jared, in conjunction with Elon Musk's SpaceX, was the first civilian to do a spacewalk. Isaacman is a local, living in Northampton County.

Although I'm pleased with Isaacman's appointment, and it is the only Trump appointment I can say that about, I have issues with the space industry at Cape Canaveral. As previously reported on this blog, the industry is the growth engine for Brevard County Florida, and questions about environmental pollution there are heresy.

However, there is an old snowbird blogger in a small office inland from Canaveral, concerned with both the frequency of the launches, which are about every ten minutes, and the environmental consequences.

A Question In Allentown

When Matt Tuerk talks about making Allentown bike friendly, he wasn't thinking about large group of teenage riders, often starting in the wards (1st and 6th). Matt was envisioning the middle class, west end spandex types seen in Trexler Park. In Matt's vision, they stay in those stenciled lanes, and use bike racks when stopping at Starbucks.

I've seen the real-life hordes in Allentown. They're often going the wrong way, and ignoring traffic lights and stop signs. I've seen them doing wheelies in the middle of Tilghman Street.

But the reason for this post isn't the hordes, but reaction to them. Local photographer Devin Ford posted a batch of photos on a recent ride, and they were shared on social media. He wrote...The point of these group rides is to create an outlet for inner-city kids as opposed to getting involved with guns, drugs, etc. Very fun to get out there. Good energy & a great cause. Commenters were describing these group rides as kids being kids in 2025. They were saying give them room, and allow them to stay together, even by ignoring the traffic lights. 

It appears that there has to be discretion about different groups of riders at different times. It appears in the photo above that Matt is exercising that judgement.

photocredit:Devin Ford

Playing With Trains In Lehigh Valley

When I read about the new train to NYC feasibility study, I looked like I needed that drug for drug induced involuntary motions. My head was shaking back and forth and I was snickering. This is at least the second time such a study is being conducted, at another $1/2mil dollars. 

The article mentions and credits Phillip Armstrong and Becky Bradley.. Armstrong, counting the days off for Christmas, only has 34 minutes left as County Executive. Becky's last brainchild was planting flowers along Rt. 22, so that rush hour traffic would have something pretty to look at while they're struck for an hour every day.

Last time they concluded that bus service was more cost effective, considering the remaining rails are heavily used by freight, and new rails would be cost prohibitive for the demand. Considering that the population hasn't grown significantly, and less demand for on site employees in NYC, I would bet the conclusion will be the same. But when I bet it's my money, Armstrong and Bradley bet with our taxes.

Trump's Speech, Vanity Squared

I believe that Trump's address to the nation was conceived by Susan Wiles, to show that she is still in the co-pilot seat, despite her confessions to Vanity Fair Magazine. It was probably also intended as damage control in regard to Trump's crude remarks concerning the Reiner tragedy. It was very ill timed, considering that Trump had nothing substantial to say, and that he will have to repeat himself soon enough, for the State of the Union speech.

While none of his sycophants clued Trump in about why he was giving a speech, the media will inform him, again, soon enough. His speech was a ramble of factual errors and promises. Nothing you can put under the tree next week.

Wiles generally made the best of a hard case, an impulsive ego-maniac, her replacement won't fare as well. She had Trump's confidence, while her replacement will have Trump's doubt. I could care less about Trump, I do care about the country. If there was ever a president who needed a good manager, it is him. Let's hope that he picks this next apprentice well.

Ryan Mackenzie Stands Up

Ryan Mackenzie has stood up and signed on to a petition intended to extend the ACA subsidies. Although the petition was sponsored by Democrats, he joined several Republicans who joined the effort...The petition now has enough signatures to force a vote on the measure.

In the recent past, Trump and Company has referred to those who cross party lines as traitors, and has threatened to primary them. On that score, I can see no primary challenge coming Mackenzie's way.

I do believe, however, that his willingness to put his constituents ahead of a party agenda will help him in November. He has pretty much assured the vote of this old blogger.

Vance On The Midterm Caravan

It's no  surprise that Trump and Company is campaigning for the midterms with the polls predicting a blue tidal wave. As I peck away on this typewriter, Vance came today to give the valley another dose of the affordability tonic. Of course that would mean more if he handed out coupons at the supermarket. At the Uline warehouse, he fluently blamed any current problems on Biden, and future successes on Trump. After the speech, he and  freshman congressman Mackenzie served gruel at the Rescue Mission. I doubt that those homeless guys buy many groceries or vote, but it's a good photo op.

I know a little about affordability at the supermarket. My family ran a meat market between the tracks and the river. Nobody lived around that industrial area, but you drove there if you wanted three pounds of hamburger or sausage for a buck, and people did.

While little markets are pretty much a thing of the past, people still drive a distance to save a dollar. Food is competitive, with markups in the 5% or less range. Throw in the fact that the commodity is perishable, and there are no vocations from the grind. Maybe that's why I publish this blog (Molovinsky On Allentown) every weekday, including holidays.

photocredit:Monica Cabrera/TheMorningCall

KTA Is Worse Than TDS

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.”

It's hard to know where to begin analyzing that statement, I suspect psychology students will be studying it for years to come. To a layman, it shows a complete lack of empathy, and being totally self-absorbed with himself. While I'm not surprised by his callousness, I'm interested to see the reaction of his supporters. Trump went on to say...

“He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness,”

As my disillusionment with Trump began appearing on my blogs, my partisan Republican readers have been using the TDS slur against me. I'm sorry to tell them that their blind support of Trump may well be the real pathology...KTA, Kissing Trump's A--

Hispanics Speak Out In Miami

Post graduates students of this blog know that in addition to my Allentown base, I rent a small, low rent office inland from Cape Canaveral. While my desk shakes when the Brightline Death Train roars by, I can see the endless rockets take off from the Cape.

For Florida news, I have secured the services of a retiree on the west coast, and a college student in Miami. The Miami intern reports about the message sent Trump and the Republicans with the recent mayoral election there.

A Democrat won for the first time in thirty years, and with a large majority. While the Hispanic community is mostly Republican, and advocates for legal immigration, it is alarmed by the gestapo actions of ICE. The other issue propelling the Democrat's win was affordability. Trump can tell those geniuses with the red hats at his rallies that affordability is a Democratic myth, but that won't help any Republican get re-elected. Keep in mind that Miami was Trump country, where he plans on building his presidential library.

Blogger near Cape Canaveral

A Place For The Unaffiliated

There are a number of groups, Principles First among others, that don't relate to the current administration and certainly not the MAGA element. Some are quite organized, with seminars and conventions. Then there are the non-joining discontents like myself. This is a place for us non-joiners. No membership, no donations, no meetings. 

This is not a new blog, nor am I a new blogger. Previously the blog was titled Rainy Morning Chronicle, but I have always been Michael Molovinsky:) I also publish Molovinsky On Allentown, since 2007. This blog will retain the posts published under the old heading. 

I am an independent conservative, registered to vote in Pennsylvania. Like many other northerners long in the tooth, I spend some time in Florida, on the Space Coast, which was Trump country. Like the beach after a bad storm, I'm starting to see erosion with his support.

the morning chronicle.net welcomes your readership

Florida Edition, Brevard Secrets

Subscribers of this blog know that I have a satellite office in-land from Cape Canaveral. While my little desk rattles from the Brightline Death Train whizzing by, I can see the endless launches from the Cape.

The days of NASA putting up a rocket a year are long gone. Space X, which I call Space Junk, goes up over twice a week. Each rocket has a dozen or so satellites. Cape Canaveral is across from the mainland. It is separated by the Indian River, a half-mile wide lagoon stretching down the coast about 150miles. 

Only in the last few years has the county government started giving lip service to the health of the lagoon, contaminated by continuous development on both the mainland and the barrier island. The lip service has yet to overhaul inadequate sewer systems, and other realities. No one even mentions pollution from the space industry, which is now the growth engine of the area's economy. 

There's an old blogger in a small office by the railroad tracks...

screengrab:Florida Today

Jarrett Coleman, Pa. Watchdog

When it comes to the taxpayer's money in Pennsylvania, only one elected official out of one of the largest statehouses in the country seems to care. Jarrett Coleman started the initiative to have a real audit of Allentown's NIZ, and the roadblocks put in his way have been endless.

He likewise is now looking into a $mil spend on security in Josh Shapiro's private residence. That expense apparently was buried with the repairs to the governor's mansion in Harrisburg, which was victimized by an arsonist attack last year.

As a political independent and blogger concerning myself with government shenanigans, I don't have a rapport with many politicians... Coleman is an exception.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Saturday Night Live In The Poconos

If I was the casting director for Saturday Night Live, I could not have come up with a better group behind Trump for his Affordability speech. I'm even including the likes of John Candy, John Belushi and Bill Murray. Add those flash cards and it was a classic skit. I only saw a short portion of it...the scene put me to sleep like laughing gas.

While this blog has been critical of Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, Trump's praise for Dave McCormick was the kiss of death for my vote. Fortunately for Dave, he's only in his first year of six.

Although I have most of the speech to hear before I put this review to print, I doubt that he said anything substantive about affordability. With that audience, I doubt that anything substantive was needed. Apparently, the real purpose of the rally was to energize his base for the midterms. While those students of government were willing to brave the Pocono cold for their leader, I'm not sure that they will bother to turn out next November....Especially if the economy continues its downward spiral.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Trump Trying To Fix What He Broke

Trump closed the border on day one, but from day two forward his administration has been a disaster.  An increasingly disturbed narcissist, surrounded by sycophants, responding to one problem after another that they have created. Now we'll subsidize the farmers, after devastating them with arbitrary tariffs with China.

He tries to tell the little people that affordability is a Democratic myth. While the low information MAGA and hardcore Republican acolytes cling to his dissolving allusions, the country is waking up, very quickly.

Here locally in the valley, Ryan Mackenzie is talking out of three sides of his mouth. Now that Trump did a 180 on health care, you would think that Ryan stood with the Democrats to keep the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Unless he really stands up, he'll be eaten alive during the midterms.

Every world leader understands that Trump is a deteriorating ego maniac, who must be flattered like a delusional old actress in a Hollywood rest home. They bring him crowns and ribbons, that he embarrassingly puts on, like they're really deserved.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Water Runoff In Allentown Parks

I have been wrestling with the Allentown Park System for over twenty years about the weed walls, aka Riparian Buffers.The bout started in Keck Park, early in the Pawlowski Regime, when he allowed the Wildlands Conservancy to install their first buffer. 

The back stories are that Pawlowski's first of several park directors all had the same background in recreation from Penn State, and asked the Wildlands for advise about park issues. The Wildlands back story is that they get to keep 15% of all government grants that they apply for, as an administrative fee. Riparian Buffers are supposed to filter the lawn fertilizer in water runoff from entering the streams. The ignored reality in the Allentown Parks is that the storm system is piped directly into the streams, under any  buffer planted. Across Cedar Creek behind the Rose Garden, a large concrete structure discharges the entire runoff from the Hamilton Park neighborhood, directly into the creek. Likewise, several pipes empty the West End directly into the creek. So, for twenty years, we park devotees have been enduring weed walls all summer, blocking view and access to the creeks. Worse, this summer the city allowed the Wildlands to plant over a hundred tree saplings out from the creek, to expand the width of the masquerade. This area will soon also not be mowed, because mowing between closely planted trees is very labor intensive.

The current park director is asking the city for additional funds to study water runoff. The free answer is in the above paragraph. I would be happy to recommend needed repairs to various WPA structures within our parks, providing some value for that money.

Shown above is the weed wall in Cedar Park during the summer. 

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Real Estate Only For Trumps

 Trump tells us that bad news is fake news. With the economy not going his way, his explanations get more far fetched. I was particularly disillusioned to hear his 50 year mortgage plan.

I was never interested even in 30 year mortgages...that is a lot of interest to pay. With the average age of first time buyers approaching 40, with a 50 year mortgage, buyers won't obtain any equity until they're 70 years old.

While my former readers, who claim every post that it is their last visit to this blog, know that Trump knows real estate. For him to give such bad advice, speaks more to his obsession for administration approval, than his honesty. He knows that 50 year mortgages are candy for the bank, and sawdust for the public.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Hegseth Will Resign

Pete will be gone soon... Attacking two survivors clinging to a damaged boat is hard to defend. He will resign, rather than face impeachment. I believe that with the approaching midterms, enough Republicans would vote against him in an attempt to keep their seats.

Trump put together a grossly unqualified cabinet, valuing ring kissing over experience and/or expertise. While this has demeaned our military, there have been worse consequences for the American public. Our health policy is being steered by supposition, rather than medical science.

As I ponder these federal issues, my reading base pouts. They accuse me of TDS, then censorship, when I limit them to one bite of the criticism apple. At the end of the day, I don't want to feel compromised, like the brass testifying yesterday.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Josh Siegel And Donald Trump

 Josh Siegel has set up a very ambitious transition team for his coronation as County Executive. He has checked all the progressive boxes, such as affordable housing, which isn't usually in the county's purview. BUT, in fairness to Mr. Siegel, he the youngest person ever elected to the position in Pennsylvania. His appointees are a who's who of local Progressive politics. 

 The committee which warrants this blog post is Local Resilience and Response to Trump Administration:

Chair: Jon Iron, Lehigh County Commissioner

 Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Immigrant Coalition 

 Mary Erdman, Immediate Past President, Lehigh County League of Women Voters 

 Adam Hosey, Policy and Political Director, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates 

 Nicole Folino, Community Services Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank

While federal constraints, such as grants, have always concerned local government, I have no recollection of the county ever having a special committee to monitor and respond to a specified presidential administration.

Some readers of this blog, disturbed by my expansion out of Allentown, have accused me of TDS. I suppose my case at worse, is very, very mild compared to everyone mentioned above. BTW, I have not been invited to join any of the committees.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Trump And Fake News

Up to very recently, I was fairly well accepted as a geniune independent conservative. When I ran as a independent in the 2005 mayoral race, I was shunned by the Morning Call for my appreciation of an older Allentown. They never even printed my picture, and excluded me from their debate. Move ahead nine years, and I ran again as an independent, for state representative. 

This blog was instrumental in pointing out shenanigans in the Pawlowski administration. This blog has been instrumental in pointing out the inequities of the NIZ. Local Republicans had been complimenting my efforts for two decades.

However, now that I began to ponder what I consider Trump's flawed administration, I am coco puffs, I am a victim of fake news. Actually, that term and concept is another Trump flaw. There has always been a wide menu of news, from the conservative Manchester Union, to the liberal NY Times. But Trump declared that anything critical of him is fake, and his minions now repeat it like a mantra. If you don't drink the cool-aid, you must have TDS. They justify it when he calls reporters fat or ugly, if he doesn't like their question. 

On day one he closed the border, and that was good. However, the problem has been since day two.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Pity The Cyclists In Allentown

Making Allentown bicycle friendly is what lawyers call an attractive nuisance. Pity the poor suburbanite with his helmet and spandex who peddles to 4th and Turner. He might as well have Mug Me embossed on his jersey.  I know the mayor is a cyclist, and takes some riders with him on group excursions; but alone, they are just bait for trouble. 

Readers know that I have been working lately from my Washington office. There's a new blog in town which makes my Tuerk-centric posts about the mayor seem like Hallmark cards. He has actually taken to say hello when he jogs past me in a park. This new blogger has almost made me appear gentlemanly. 

So Matt, as one gentleman to another, Allentown realistically is no place to encourage cyclists. The other day I saw a car going in reverse for a block near 15th St.. The police need to write 5000 more traffic tickets before we start inviting cyclists downtown.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

shown above Mr. T, known for his catch phrase,"Pity the fool"

The Onerous Job Of Defending Trump

Some of the hardest working people in the country today are those defending Donald Trump's inconsistent, perhaps irrational, proclamations. One moment he is condoning double tap attacks on civilian boats; the next, pardoning a former Honduran Drug President.

From Karoline Leavitt in the press room, to partisans commenting on this blog, it's not easy to triple talk. For Karoline, it is her career; for the partisans, it's the Alamo. They know if they slightly concede that Trump is irrational, as everyone else in the world knows, the Republicans will be reduced to proverbial dog catchers in the upcoming elections.

I'm afraid for them, that reduction of power is coming, and the only thing left to save is their credibility. I'm expecting the disconnect with Trump to come very soon, in time for the midterms. I'm hoping that the elected Republicans who represent me here in Kentuckylvania have that much sense.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Trump Shoots Then Aims

Donald Trump wants a trophy for fixing the things that he broke. He's now looking at extending the Affordable Care Act, after our country suffered its longest shutdown in history. We're bonusing Air Traffic Controllers, after Musk decimated the system with DOGE. We're relaxing tariffs on foodstuffs from South America, after their flow was hampered by his wily nilly tariffs.

He tore down the East Wing, and now even his architect is becoming less than proud of the plans. Here on this blog, the partisans continue to defend the policies more, and the man less. They read the polls, and see the writing on the wall.

In this last local election, they got Charlie Dent to endorse Roger MacLean on their last mailing. It wasn't that many years ago that they were calling Dent a RINO, for not thinking that Trump could walk on water. Don't expect Ryan Mackenzie to seek Trump's endorsement by the 2026 midterms.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

Mackenzie Getting Nervous

Subscribers to this blog remember that I took Mayor Matt Tuerk to task for his trip to the Dominican Republic. Although there are many Dominicans in Allentown, the pandering quotient was blatant. However, now local US Congressman Mackenzie has made the same trip, and to me it's apparent that he's hoping for some Latino votes come November. 

Sorry Ryan, but your Commander and Chief has cooked that goose, but good. Your explanation for the trip, about trade and security, are a giggle. Don't expect a big Dominican turnout come midterms.

I can appreciate that you're beginning to find this blog annoying. If you're really intent on Latino votes, you would have to speak out against Trump's ICE Capades, which would injure you with the MAGA base. Good luck with your juggling.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

ADDENDUM: This blog is published every weekday, holidays included.

Ruminations From An Old Blog(ger)

I don't purport to be nice, that's a trait that never reached me. While this blog is in its eighteenth year, only recently have I broken out of Allentown, toward Washington... Trump does move people. I voted for him in 2016, but couldn't do so again in 2020 (or 2024), when I voted for an independent. After Jan. 6, I find his current complaint against Mark Kelly very ironic. 

As an independent conservative, local Republicans comprised a large part of my readership. Their partisanship is causing them to proclaim intense disappointment in me. Life has disappointments. I was caught of guard by Majorie Green's announced resignation. I recently posted that she is joining a small but growing group pushing back against the King. There are trip words in this political world, and King is one of them. I will receive comments that now I should go stand with the other blue haired boomers protesting at the local congressman's office.

I don't stand with protesters, but I will be speaking out here on the blog. Speaking out was what this blog was about since day one. If it's a mayor in Allentown, a governor in Harrisburg, or a president in Washington, I'll speak my mind. If I lose or gain a few readers, it won't affect my lunch.

I'm not here to be polite or popular

ADDENDUM: Another change coming to this blog is advertisements. This is an experiment of sorts...there will be different ad densities (number of ads) and different ad placements. It will be third party provided, without control on my part concerning placement or products advertised.

Trump vs Kelly

Mark Kelly and others reminded Trump last week that the military is not obliged to follow illegal orders in violation of the Constitution. Trump initial response was that Kelly and company could be executed for treason. Trump apparently was convinced to tamper down that threat, but he can't completely restrain himself. This weekend he reduced his death threat to jail.

The real threat to America is Trump's inability to measure his words in a presidential fashion. Despite previously being president, he thinks he can say and tweet whatever pops into his head, with no deliberation.

Attacking Kelly was like his profoundly ignorant remark about John McCain in 2015. Although Kelly did not spend six years in a North Vietnam prison camp like McCain, he did fly 39 combat missions over Iraq before becoming an astronaut. Yes, Trump is Commander and Chief, but that title comes with a responsibility which is lost on him.

Trump sycophant Defense Secretary Hegseth has the Pentagon reviewing if court martial charges should be brought against Kelly. I don't know if Mark Kelly has any presidential ambitions for 2028, but if he does, Hegseth just gave Kelly a gift.

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MAGA Not Invited

When the Trump family sat down with the royal family of Saudi Arabia last week, the MAGA red hats were not invited. While the disciples ate hamburger at home, Trump's guests dined on rack of lamb. While the MAGA crowd grumbled about the upcoming half time show, the Trump juniors were accepting investments in their Saudi projects. Before dinner, Trump had F35's fly over the White House, to remind the royals what was at stake.

However, even before the dinner, I believe MAGA was already losing their appetite. Maybe they are not quite ready to admit it, but despite any high school football concussions, they know a slight when they see one. VP Vance told them, “As much progress as we’ve made, it’s going to take a little bit of time for every American to feel that economic boom, which we really do believe is coming. We believe that we’re on the front end of it,”  Vance may have to eat those words if he runs in 2028.

Trump's threats of sponsoring a primary opponent against any defectors this spring is ringing hollow, except perhaps to Marjorie Green. However, the coming battles in the general election are feared, and rightfully so. The incumbents, especially freshman, are running out of time to exert their independence from their Trump Trance.

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Homeless Camp Fire On Kline's Island

I know a little about Kline's Island, enough to know that the LCA and the city had to know about the camp being there. I had no issue with the city removing the camps from Jordan Meadows. That area was a new addition to our park system, and was causing a hardship to adjoining properties.

I was somewhat surprised when the city administration removed the camp just south of Union Street. That camp adjoined no residential real estate. I was told on good source, that eviction resulted from a complaint from Promise Neighborhoods.

Homeless camps are nothing new to any city. While traditionally, most of the occupants had social issues, in these times, high rents are another cause. No city administration is going to solve the problem and eliminate camps. Hopefully, the unfortunate occupants will find another location which doesn't result in municipal interference.

photocredit/The Morning Call: Shown above former city councilwoman Emma Tropiano, camping near Kline's Island in her 1989 campaign for mayor.

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Trump First, USA Second

The Intelligence agencies must have been wincing when Trump defended the prince against the reporter's question.  Likewise, normally the State Department would be scrambling about the F35's being fully loaded. But this is Trump, and the various departments have been top-offed with sycophants. not chosen for their qualifications about the department's mission, but their loyalty to Trump.

We seem to be in new territory with Trump basing our national policy on his whims. If that offends anybody, there are many credible people who would say that policy is  actually based on Trump's financial interests. I'll give him the benefit of that doubt, and just chalk it up to his overly inflated faith in himself.

Readers may have noticed that as I speak out against the administration and its silent enablers, comments here get more hostile... They should see the ones I don't print! They didn't say I sounded like a "lemming for the left" when I was criticizing Democratic mayors for the last two decades. I didn't criticize them because they were Democrats, and I'm not criticizing anybody now because they're a Republican. 

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Mackenzie Ad Transparent Deception

Seems as if freshman congressman Ryan Mackenzie wants a ribbon for voting along with all the other Republicans, save one, for opening the Epstein files. Although it's true he did say this summer that he would vote to open the file, he said so when there was no vote, and seemingly no chance of one. At that time, his mentor and chief, White House gold plater Donald Trump, was against the files going public. When the opportunity for real courage presented itself, he refused to sign the petition requesting a vote.

I'm frankly surprised that he would put out such a deceptive promotion at this point in time. He's crowing about something he was silent about when it counted. The promotion tells me that he counts on low information voters, and he seemingly is correct about that.

As I said before, I have no real issue with Mackenzie. Come midterms, he may still get my vote. In the meantime, when he says something needing scrutiny, I'll be here,

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Switch And Bait United States Healthcare

My rerun TV channels are full of Medicare ads. We're told that it's open season on enrollment, and call one of their licensed agents now with your zip code. Call now with your zip code. I called, and am now trying to recover from the call.

I was told by the licensed agent that my application probably would not be accepted, because I answered yes to taking blood pressure medication. Although I answered no to the other 719 questions, my yes to BP meds will do me in. To get medicare you have to be 65, I'm pushing toward 80. I only know one person my era who doesn't take any meds, and he never went to a doctor. Perplexed by her warning, I consulted Dr. Google. He told me that this major health insurer, along with their competition, were reeling under the cost of medical care and the aging demographic. That I can understand, but then why all the advertising? I would like to move to the zip code where the elderly live in perfect health, with no medication. 

Thank you John Fetterman for being a front man to end the shutdown. I know that the Democrats wanted to extend the health subsidies, but the consequences of the shutdown were outweighing their good intentions. As a blogger, I'm submitted to irrational partisans who put winning above everything else. They create so much tension that we need a national prescription for political centrists.

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Share The Shame

If I was a Republican congressman, I would be offended by the President saying that We Have Nothing To Hide.  Unless I was an associate of Epstein, and entertained by his harem of girls, why would I have something to hide?

Trump is trying to make his shame theirs. He is not going to share his hotels and golf courses with congress, but will let them be part of the scandal.

Why shouldn't Trump try to play the Republicans in congress? They have been a cooperative chorus of sycophants, hoping the free ride will take them into 2029. For many, it will not take them into 2027.

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A Transactional Presidency

Never in the history of the country has there been a more transactional presidency. Combine that flaw with an unqualified cabinet, and we have one dangerous situation. However, we learned from his first term that a more qualified cabinet would have a very short shelf life.

Marjorie Taylor Greene joined the My Way Or The Highway Club this weekend, and Trump will support a primary opponent in the spring. Trump's problem with Greene will snowball this winter. Between $35 steaks, Epstein and the coming cold, his support is already waning. His tariff waffling has only created economic uncertainty.

Taylor Green might emerge a political maverick, like John Fetterman. Trump already coined one of his immature nicknames for her, Wacky Marjorie. When the public turns against him, it is going to turn fast and hard. Trump's messages have no consistency, because he has no plans, only reactions. MAGA knows the new ballroom isn't for them. 

I'm not here to be polite or popular

ADDENDUM: Green has announced her resignation from Congress effective January 5, 2026.

Trump And Epstein

As my readers know, I'm no fan of Trump, but I have no concerns about his past with Epstein. Years before Trump ran the first time, there were photos of him and Ivanka in the back seat of his limo. At the time, he said something like if she wasn't his daughter, he would want to date her. He was also filmed saying that because he's famous, he can grab woman. I assumed everyone knew that he was a womanizer, or younger, and that it was baked into the election.

The conventional thinking is that Trump wants to distract us from Epstein, but I find the curiosity about Epstein a distraction from the issues that really concern us as a nation. Trump, with questionable advisors at best, is using the military to bully the Western Hemisphere. He used tariffs as a roller coaster, which actually complicated domestic production.

Democrats distracted about Trump's sex life history, are inadvertently giving the Republicans a gift.

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McCormick Should Mind Our P's & Q's

US Senator Dave McCormick(Pa), put out a video suggesting that New Yorkers upset with new mayor Mamdani should move to Pennsylvania. Thanks Dave, but there is enough in Washington and Pennsylvania to improve, that could better occupy your thoughts.

Perhaps you could put out a video explaining why our fleet is sailing to Venezuela. Perhaps you could video the bumper to bumper traffic on Rt. 22 through the Lehigh Valley.

Most important, perhaps the video could explain what you have been doing since you were elected?  Our other senator had been active in encouraging members of his party to end the shutdown. While you're worried aboutt New Yorkers who want to leave their homes because of Mamdani, maybe you should instead concern yourself with Pennsylvanians upset about Trump.

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Conservative Looking For A Home

I called myself a conservative looking for a home, after the Republican Party sold itself out to Trump and a win. While there is interest and speculation about who will be the Democratic candidate in 2028, you hear less of that with the Republicans. They're busy wondering what buildings and institutions Trump can put his name on.

I recently read that among the forerunners with the Republicans, besides Vance and Rubio, there is Donald Jr.. If the party goes with another Trump, I might as well be writing about professional wrestling. John Bolton recently told a group at Harvard that the difference between Trump 45 and 47, is that Trump picked only yes men and women for his second round. Bolton's too diplomatic to mention that beside the yes, they have no qualifications.

Considering that winning seems mission number one for both parties, perhaps the combination of diehard partisans, and Red Hat remnants, can pull it off, it's probably their best shot. While I'm still hoping for a principled conservative, I'm afraid that Trump has killed the Republican Party for years to come.

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Reagan delivering Tear Down This Wall speech in Berlin

A Mackenzie Postcard

I don't relish repeatedly taking Ryan Mackenzie to task, because come mid-terms, I'm hoping that he is my candidate of choice.

His spokesman was quoted in the Morning Call on Sunday saying, "He (Mackenzie) has been an independent voice in a broken Washington, D.C., who has always and will always stand up for the Lehigh Valley.”  I'm a candidate for hearing aids, but if Mackenzie has been an independent voice or standing up in Washington, I may have issues with my other senses as well.

The Morning Call may have chosen to print this election postcard patter, but as a local blogger I must remind the congressman that Lower Macungie, with a Republican majority, voted for Democratic commissioners for the first time since forever. It won't be enough to say you stand up, but you must actually do it.

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Trump Saying Let Them Eat Cake

From the newly gold gilt plated Oval Office, the everyman's president thinks people can pound cake, instead of food. By the time this edition hits the newsstands, I can't predict where the courts will stand. One new ruling supersedes the other as I type. But it certainly appears that food is being weaponized.

On the topic of weapons, there is Admiral and General insecurity at the Pentagon. Hegseth is making those decisions based on salutes and shoeshines. Kennedy tells us that we can use injections to lose weight, but not protect against disease.

Snapping back, even if SNAP payments are tied up in court appeals, his majesty could have read here on MOLOVINSKY that his MAGAs are reduced to hamburger, and that they stayed home for Tuesday's election. This week the meat packers will be pressured to lower prices, even if the USDA inspectors are laid off.

ADDENDUM: Sunday evening seven Democrats and an independent ended the shutdown stalemate in the Senate. It appears as if funding will be restored thru January. 

I'm not here to be polite or popular

At one time, Allentown had no less than five meat packers. Shown above, Molovinsky's packing house on Union Street.