Trump’s Flawed Thinking
We’ve witness Trump’s flawed thinking and ignorance so many times. Was it when he claimed that one reason the United States won the Revolutionary War was because the colonies took the non-existent airports.
I don’t know. I think that gets edged out by his spurious grasp of how tariffs work, especially who pays for them.
Trump renamed Lake Ontario. In so doing, he cited Constitutional authority.
He does not cite anything in the Constitution for that authority. Basically, show me what statute gives the executive branch that power, and does that statute constitutionally authorize this particular action?
Trump — and the GOP — can’t, because nothing gives Trump that power.
A majority of Americans don’t like the name change, but that’s never stopped Trump; his guiding principle is that only he matters. Otherwise, Trump probably have an overall net disapproval rating in every major poll except those specifically done by Republicans or conservatives; none give Trump more than a +10 approval rating.
Trump employs spurious reasoning for changing the lake’s name in his press release about it:
“As I announced in Executive Order 14172 of January 20, 2025 (Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness), it is the policy of my Administration to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the American people and the rich heritage of our history by naming great natural landmarks for our shared achievements.”
Lake Ontario’s name predates the United States by more than a century. Europeans documented Lake Ontario in 1641; the Declaration of Independence was in 1776, and the United States Constitution wasn’t adopted until 1787. Additionally, the United States recognized and agreed to use the name Lake Ontario in three important documents: The Treaty of Paris (1783), The Treaty of Ghent (1814), and The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
Things like this aren’t just summarily dismissed to satisfy one arrogant person’s inflated ego. And if you apply Trump’s reasoning, Canada — who owns 52% of Lake Ontario’s coastline — has as much right to change the lake’s name as Trump asserts. In fact, using Trump’s rationale, based on how important oceans are to their history, many nations can just change the name.
But they’re above that. Because they’re not Trump and recognize that rule and order have a place in this modern world.
Tuesday’s Theme Music — Smithereens!
Tuesday, September 1, 2025. Ashland, southern Oregon.
September arrived in Ashland, bringing colder weather. 58 F now, our projected high is 72 today with 72% chance of thunderstorms. Tomorrow is expected to top out at 60 F, with 98% chance of rain. So rain will come at last.
Meanwhile, most of the United States east of the Rockies to the Atlantic, north to Canada and south to the Gulf of Mexico, are enduring a heat wave
I’m a bit dispirited today. Another friend has prostate cancer. And Mom sent me a lengthy text last night. Another of my sisters, Lisa, took Mom new checks, along with a new tee-shirt and sweater. Mom told me that she felt chest pains yesterday and rested in bed. Also told me that it takes her three hours to get ready for bed. If true, that’s actually reduced from the three hours she required for several years. I was always astonished when visiting her and she would announce, “I need to get ready for bed.” She usually went to bed at midnight but began getting ready at 8:30.
Today, Mom texted me to ask, “Should I use my old checks to pay my rent?” I just went over that with her last Friday. So did two of my sisters.
Over in Iran, attacks began again as the war, begun in the winter, drags on toward autumn. I remember the days when Trump said the war was already over.
Instead, we have Trump offering a cartoonish AI-generated video of blowing up Kharg Island, declaring it’s “blown to smithereens”.
Like, wow. How old are you, grandpa? I know the expression but I’ve honestly don’t think I’ve heard it in years, maybe decades. It’s extremely bizarre to hear it said by an adult while discussing a war. I mean, it’s such a childish expression.
It’s a useful video for Trump, however. As part of Operation Epic LOOK — SQUIRREL!, Trump’s video has us wondering about his word choices and sanity, instead of dwelling on the continuing affordability crisis, or his lies, corruption, and general incompetence.
There are no reports that Kharg Island has been ‘blown to smithereens’. A US military official in fact said it was not targeted.
Your Trump Quote of the Day:
Yes, I’ve used that quote before. But it’s important, I think, to remember that when Trump was running for office in 2024, he blamed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for bombs falling in the middle east — Gaza. He was arguing that the Biden administration had produced exactly the things he said a Trump presidency would prevent. Then he won, took office, and started war after claiming he would prevent wars, causing the inflation and rising prices which he claimed he would prevent.
Infuriating as hell.
Meanwhile, the Roberts Court said Trump could proceed building the Epstein ballroom. They avoided saying that it was legal for Trump to tear down a wing of the White House and start building something else without funds approved by Congress. That’s perfectly aligned with the weak principles of the Roberts Court. Equally, Roberts was part of the dissent, which is particularly laughable. He was basically bemoaning what the monster he helped create was doing.
Trump’s use of smithereens provoked My Neurons to bring up songs by the Smithereens. Among the songs in my morning mental music stream was “Only A Memory”. The 1988 song is about love, memory, loss, and history. As I have no love for Trump and wish he was history, it seems like a fine song for today.
I hope your spirits are high and your hopes are strong, and that you have the fortitude to overcome whatever is thrown your way.
Cheers
Michael Seidel, writer 