WEEKLY MAGAZINE: Digital updates on Thursdays
HUMANIST AND (CENTRE) PROGRESSIVE LEANING PERSPECTIVE
PINNED POST 2025
President Thomas Jefferson’s letter to President James Monroe (Excerpt)
Official Portrait(s) The White House
Farmers and politicians in Colonial America (e.g. Jefferson/Monroe) were slave owners, but some of them gradually attempted to advocate abolitionist measures.
By the way, is your iphone powered by child/Chinese slave labor?
OCTOBER 26, 1823
“America, North and South, has a set of interests distinct from those of Europe, and peculiarly her own. She should therefore have a system of her own, separate and apart from Europe. Its object is to introduce and to establish the American System, of keeping out of our land all foreign powers, of never permitting those of Europe to intermeddle with the affairs of our Nations. It is to maintain our own principle, not to depart from it. I could honestly therefore join in declaration proposed that we aim not the acquisition of any of those possessions, that we will not stand in the way of any amicable arrangement between them and the mother country, but that we will oppose with all our means, the forcible interposition of any other power, as auxiliary, stipendiary, or under any other form or pretext and most essentially their transfer to any power by conquest, cession, or acquisition in any other way. I add the assurance of my constant and affectionate friendship and respect.”
President Thomas Jefferson’s letter to President James Monroe
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON: THE FATHER OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY: Thomas Jefferson is widely considered the first North American archaeologist, as he conducted one of the first documented scientific excavations of a Native American burial mound in Virginia, which set a precedent for systematic archaeological practices in the United States; this is why he is often called the “Father of American Archaeology.”.
FEATURED ARTICLES: N/A
U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS
Is the U.S. experiencing a constitutional crisis? – Harvard Law School | Harvard Law School (Link)
FEATURED ARTICLES: N/A
MIDTERMS 2026 (“BATTLE OF WATERLOO”)
May 2025
VP MIKE PENCE RECEIVES JFK COURAGE AWARD (President Trump 1st Term: 2017-2020)
When I play two notes together (Trump-Vance), I seem to hear a third (truly) courageous tune (Pence)
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/11/politics/trump-allies-project-2025/index.html (Link)
https://www.mandateforleadership.org (Link)
WHAT HAPPENED: On January 6, 2021, President Trump said: “We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol to confront this egregious assault on our Democracy. And I’ll be there with you.” The crowd chanted: “Hang Mike Pence.” On that day, VP Mike Pence was evacuated to a secure location.
PENCE’S POV: “January 6 (2021) was a tragic day. I believe history will remember it as a triumph of freedom. Because, thanks to the courageous service of law enforcement, the Capitol was secure. And then members of Congress in both Chambers and both Political Parties reconvened the very same day to complete our work undder the Constitution of the U.S. We were able to see to the peaceful transfer of power as the world watched following that riot that took place … I remember that I jotted down some words: The world would witness again the resiliance of our Democracy. “
THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: As the adage suggests, “don’t (ever) go back to the situation you prayed to get out of.” President Trump is back with another VP, Mr. Vance, not Pence. Meaner and unbelievably self-serving than ever (e.g., Check out the “Crypto Boom Deal” to begin with). Have you stopped (daily) to think about President Trump’s subliminal messages, or are you just ignoring them all? Either way, Midterms 2026 are just around the corner to “curb’ his enthusiasm.
Image: JFK Library
May 2025 U.S. MEXICO
“(Mexico) Sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended.” (President Sheinbaum) “She’s not thinking straight” (President Trump)
WHAT HAPPENED: Mexican cartels are highly organized criminal organizations (e.g., Masters of illicit activities, most notably drug trafficking). They operate with a hierarchical structure, often with strong leadership and a network of enforcers. Several major cartels dominate the Mexican Drug Trade (e.g., Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and the Gulf Cartel). Mexican cartels engage in turf wars to control territories, plus corrupt local and state authorities through bribes and threats.
TRUMP’S POV: I came, I blamed, I stained. The current Administration is operating under a highly effective strategic leadership: The ‘Hostile Takeover Regime’ of institutional domestic and foreign affairs, which includes well-defined objectives and a strong focus on implementation and monitoring of ‘Project 2025’ (A 900-page ultra conservative framework published by The Heritage Foundation). According to CNN, 140+ people who worked for the (former) Trump Administration are involved in the conceptualization of this political project. President Trump is the world’s best ‘cheerleader’, a salesman. He’s the ‘seller’ of these policies, not the mastermind behind it. “Never say never”–No principles to die for, just embrace fear and uncertainty and ditch peace of mind and clear conscious.
SHEINBAUM’S POV: President Sheinbaum insists on living a ‘principled life’ even if it means being ‘grilled’ by Trump–“Mexico sovereignty is not for sale”, she said. “We will never accept the presence of the United States military in our territory.” Aboard Air Force One, President Trump said that, “She’s a lovely woman, but so afraid of the cartels, she cannot think straight.” It is true she’s lovely. It’s true she’s (likely) afraid of the cartels. And, it’s true that President Trump never said that “members of his Cabinet aren’t thinking straight”. Mexico has the right to remain master of their own house. If this offer came from any other U.S. President, likely, President Sheinbaum would have taken it. President Trump is so obnoxiously disrespectful and abhorrently divisive that she just walked away from an interesting deal. Her message is clear: in this regard, it is probably better to deal with the cartels than to deal with him. Who would blame her for thinking the unthinkable?
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: With the rise of a new U.S. leadership, the world faces significant challenges, including economic hardships and political instability. But they’re rising to the occasion, primarily by forging unprecedented economic growth and international cooperation amidst the shadow of U.S. political isolationism and policy volatility. Emerging powers like China, India, and Eastern Europe are challenging the established order (e.g., India just attacked target sites in Pakistan; for details, see the “Pahalgam killings”). China’s influence in Central and South America(s) is getting stronger by the second, while Western Europe is focused on networking with more reliable partners (e.g., themselves). Although each one of us is a unique talent, it’s time to stop behaving as if we (the U.S.) aren’t ‘replaceable’. In this (particular) election, Americans made a huge mistake, and they will pay for it–‘No pun intended, just a fact of life.
Image: Joel Cano, Portside
May 2025 U.S.-CANADA
“Canada is not for sale” (PM Carney), “Never say never” (President Trump)
“We’re going to be friends with Canada”: Trump, Carney meet at the White House | FULL (Link)
https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/canada (Link)
WHAT HAPPENED: Canada relies on the U.S. market for approximately 75% of its exports. This high dependency is a key factor in discussions about trade agreements and potential economic impacts (Office of the U.S. Trade Representative).
TRUMP’S POV: I came, I blamed, I stained. The current Administration is operating under a highly effective strategic leadership: The ‘Hostile Takeover Regime’ of institutional domestic and foreign affairs, which includes well-defined objectives and a strong focus on implementation and monitoring of ‘Project 2025’ (A 900-page ultra conservative framework published by The Heritage Foundation). According to CNN, 140+ people who worked for the (former) Trump Administration are involved in the conceptualization of this political project. President Trump is the world’s best ‘cheerleader’, a salesman. He’s the ‘seller’ of these policies, not the mastermind behind it. “Never say never”–No principles to die for, just embrace fear and uncertainty and ditch peace of mind and clear conscious.
CARNEY’S POV: PM Carney insists on living a ‘principled life’ even if it means being ‘grilled’ by Trump–“Canada is not for sale”. On a more “serious tone”, President Trump noted that “It’s hard to justify subsidizing Canada to the tune of maybe $200 billion a year”, essentially implying the US is ‘giving them money’ by billions. It’s not true, though the U.S. spends more on Canadian products than Canada spends on U.S. products. But as ‘trade partners’, some years the U.S. will export more, and some years will import more. Typically, President Trump doesn’t care to clarify but confound and misinterpret. Likely, he erroneously equated ‘trade deficit’ with ‘subsidizing’ (e.g., In 2024, U.S trade deficit with Canada was $63.3 billion: US Trade Representative’s office). “Canadian companies won’t have to worry at all about tariffs when Canada becomes our cherished 51st state.” Kush Desai, Deputy Press Secretary, The White House
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: With the rise of a new U.S. leadership, the world faces significant challenges, including economic hardships and political instability. But they’re rising to the occasion, primarily by forging unprecedented economic growth and international cooperation amidst the shadow of U.S. political isolationism and policy volatility. Emerging powers like China, India, and Eastern Europe are challenging the established order (e.g., India just attacked target sites in Pakistan; for details, see the “Pahalgam killings”). China’s influence in Central and South America(s) is getting stronger by the second, while Western Europe is focused on networking with more reliable partners (e.g., themselves). Although each one of us is a unique talent, it’s time to stop behaving as if we (the U.S.) aren’t ‘replaceable’. In this (particular) election, Americans made a huge mistake, and they will pay for it–‘No pun intended, just a fact of life.
Image: Public Domain
May 2025 | US-Ukraine Minerals Deal
The One Thing Trump Got Right: ‘No Free Ride’
Zelensky says minerals deal signing first result of talks with Trump in Vatican (Link)
The Free Rider Problem (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) (Link)
Source: Ukrainian Geological Survey
May-April 2025
May 2025
Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave,
Let me once know, I sought thee in a secret cave,
And ask’d, if Peace were there. (A poem by George Herbert)
Trump promised peace in 100 days, but Russia’s violence against Ukraine has only escalated (Link)
Image: Public Domain
May 2025
Happy people just do it better–Kamala’s speech! (San Francisco)
May 2025 MICHIGAN RALLY | President Trump 100 days in Office
Get off the fence! There are only two types of Americans: Trump supporters and Trump Protesters
How Divisive Politics Have Hurt Americans | Psychology Today (Link)
TRUMP SUPPORTERS
TRUMP PROTESTERS
May 1st, 2025 | LABOR DAY
History of Labor Day | U.S. Department of Labor (Link)
May 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION
“Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” ML King
“Celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion means recognizing and honoring the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and contributions of all individuals.”
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Survey Report (2023) | Pew Research Center (Link)
May 2025
(SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)
May 2025
Gaza Strip: The Humanitarian Crisis
“The Gaza Strip is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by displacement, food shortages, water scarcity, and a collapsed healthcare system, according to various reports. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 115,000 injured, as reported by the Ministry of Health in Gaza.”
May 2025
“Brazilian forest fires are overwhelmingly man-made”
https://rainforestfoundation.org/engage/brazil-amazon-fires (Link)
Image: Human Rights Watch
May 2025
“Southern California 2025: The fire ignitions were human-caused”
“The fires around Los Angeles were the result of the dangerous overlap of multiple human and natural influences. The fire ignitions were human-caused—like virtually all winter fires in the area—although the exact trigger remains under investigation.”
What started the LA wildfires? – Miyamoto International (Link)
“Arson is America’s fastest growing crime.”
California’s New Arson Law – A Weapon for the War on Arson | Office of Justice Programs (Link)
Image: NASA
May 2025
“The 1944 Treaty governs the distribution of waters from rivers like the Rio Grande”
Mexico scrambles to boost US water deliveries (Link)
“Of the (Mexican) States that could face federal water seizures, Chihuahua has been the hardest hit by the current drought.” (Conagua)
May 2025
“Take it Down Act: Passed”
Empower victims to remove images from online platforms. Requires websites to take down photos and videos within 48 hours from a victim’s report.
S.146 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): TAKE IT DOWN Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress (Link)
Images: AI-Generated
May 2025
Dear Second Gentleman, Things Will Change in 200 Weeks or So
May 2025
Conclave to elect new Pope to begin on May 7th – Vatican News (Link)
May 2025
Mark Carney has been elected as PM of Canada
Liberals keep power in Canada—thanks to Trump | Science | AAAS (Link)
Image: Kate Peters
May 2025
China’s Influence in Latin America
THE RISE OF HUTCHISON PORTS NETWORK IN MEXICO (Link)
April 2025
L.A. County Major Strike
April 2025
California Gubernatorial Race 2026: Meet (FOX Conservative Commentator) Steve Hilton–California’s Next Governor?
Republican Steve Hilton says California governor campaign is ‘non-partisan’ (Link)
April 2025
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/04/23/california-is-now-the-4th-largest-economy-in-the-world (Link)
April 2025
Class Act: “Land of the free, Home of the brave”
Al Gore (Link)
April 2025
https://news.gallup.com/poll/1660/immigration.aspx (Link)
April 2025
North Korea, Russia Strengthen Military Ties | Arms Control Association (Link)
April 2025
“China has launched a new crew of three astronauts to its Tiangong space“
Home (Link)
April 2025
“Iran Issues: Soft water on hard rock will eventually poke holes in it”
Iran’s top diplomat in China to discuss nuclear talks with US | The Times of Israel (Link)
Image: Institute For Science And International Security
April 2025
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
April 2025
“But, on the bright side, let us pray that the authoritarian Trump Regime may help to end the Russia-Ukraine War.”
US proposes leaving occupied areas under Russian control, easing sanctions, Bloomberg reports (Link)
April 2025 | U.S.-ITALY
Meloni struggles to influence Trump’s trade policy (Link)
April 2025 | 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING
Domestic Terrorism
https://www.gao.gov/blog/rising-threat-domestic-terrorism-u.s.-and-federal-efforts-combat-it (Link)
April 2025 Op-ed
Donald Trump: The Last Movie Star of “The Golden Era”
I consider Donald Trump to be one of the best actors ever. After watching his latest movie, “From Here To Eternity 2.0”, I have mixed feelings about unwarranted criticisms and the unfair judgment of his performance. Okay. Trump lacks discipline and formal training–‘Achieved stardom without attending acting school. But, in “From Here To Eternity 2.0”, he’s charming, energetic, inspiring, unconventional, and can dance and sing. And the ‘cameras’ love him– ‘impeccable from any angle. Tougher than John Wayne. And more charismatic than Marlon Brandon. Trump just proved he’s truly great at doing “stuff” on camera.
Although Trump’s critics (art critics) aren’t inherently farsighted or lack ‘total’ discernment, they appear to have a common eye condition that may cause blurry close-up vision. To be fair, it is my understanding that they’re just grading movies on a different scale than the average filmgoer. And let’s be clear, my job is to combat undeserved syllogism with skill and art eristic. And yet, I realize that a hypothetical syllogism is (in principle) a valid argument, not a fallacy.
Opening scene:
“From Here To Eternity 2.0” — A recap. In this movie, Trump plays a mad, bipolar-afflicted President. Indeed, he should win an Oscar for this incredibly difficult role. Opening scene: President Trump catapults us into the Ukraine-Russia War (latest) scene effortlessly, perfectly setting up the allure and excitement our President-Hero will try to escape from.
“CHINESE FIGHTERS CAPTURED BY UKRAINE SPEAK OUT”
Next Scene:
A 7-minute unbroken shot containing dozens of different characters, mixed with improvised (verbal and non-verbal) monologues at the southern border–The camera glides from person to person, pitch to pitch.
“SOUTHERN BORDER: DONALD TRUMP MAY IMPOSE MARTIAL LAW-TYPE ORDER ON APRIL 20”
Next Scene:
The glimpse into the Harvard University Campus is the perfect tone-setter for the mundane Higher Education resistance movement. Sometimes simple resistance is best. For a movie about anti-democratic sentiments, it makes sense to spend some time on the resistance before that.
“HARVARD WILL FIGHT TRUMP’S DEMANDS”
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/4/15/harvard-denies-trump-demands (Link)
Next scene:
Not featured in the final editing, the true opening of this film is a monologue by the President’s inner circle standing in a street full of people:
“SOME CALIFORNIANS ‘IRRITATED’ ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR”
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/berkeley-poll-kamala-harris-governor-20277645.php (Link)
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In summary, highly recommended, warts and all.
The Editor
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April 2, 2025 | TRADE WARS: THE WAR BEGINS (“EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY”)
EXTRA! EXTRA! PRESIDENT TRUMP RAISED TARIFFS ON IMPORTS FROM CHINA TO 145%
EXTRA! EXTRA! PRESIDENT TRUMP IS (ALSO) PAUSING (90 DAYS)/LOWERING TAXES ON GOODS FROM OTHER NATIONS (EXCEPT CHINA)
US markets slide as tariffs on imports from China now hit 145% | South China Morning Post (Link)
Image: AI-Generated
April 2025
PUNITIVE TARIFFS. AND RECIPROCAL TARIFFS. TAX THE PENGUINS–BECAUSE, WHY NOT?
Annex-I.pdf (Link)
Image: Public Domain
April 2025
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM [CALIFORNIA]
CA’s LGBTQ community now know what Newsom believes | Opinion (Link)
Image: AI-Generated (Havah House Co. Artwork)
March 2025
“THE MOST BORING MONTH EVER IN HISTORY”
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans – The Atlantic (Link)
Image: Signal Website
March 2025
EXTRA! EXTRA! “THE COSSACK LEVIATHAN IN GLORIOUS COLOR” 03.27.2025
‘VLAD’ REVEALS A FILM SCRIPT FOR A NEW MOVIE IN THE WORKS: “U.S.-GREENLAND ANNEXATION–WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER”
“Apocalypse Now” (Viewer Discretion Advised)
March 2025 (KREMLIN-WASHINGTON D.C.)
TRUMP-PUTIN PHONE CALL [When: March 18, 2025 — Topic: Ukraine War, Cease-Fire]
February 2025
PRESIDENT TRUMP AI GAZA VIDEO: “A DYSTOPIAN CITY”
AI-Generated Video (President Trump’s Instagram 2/26/2025 – Annotation by Slingshot Magazine Staff)
January 2025
WHAT IF CALIFORNIA SECEDED FROM THE U.S.? THERE’S NOTHING TO GAIN BUT UNNECESSARY WAR. STILL, WE CAN “TRUMP-PROOF” CALIFORNIA
Newsom calls special session to ‘Trump-proof’ California – CalMatters (Link)
Image: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
February 2025
“LATIN AMERICA: NORTH AMERICA’S BACKYARD“
Is Latin America Still the US’s “Backyard”? – CEPR (Link)
“A concept often used in political science and international relations contexts. It indicates the sphere of influence and dominance of the United States in Latin America.
“The President (of El Salvador) in an act of extraordinary friendship has agreed to the most unprecedented and extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world … and (he) accepted for deportation any illegal alien in the United States who is a criminal from any nationality.” (Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State)
Department Reports and Publications – United States Department of State (Link)
February 2025
100 Years = 5,000 + weeks — 10 Years = 500 + weeks — 4 Years = 208 weeks
“The last will be first, and the first will be last, because many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)
Source: POTUS Instagram
January 2025
DONALD J. TRUMP – THE SLASH-AND-BURN POLICY (2025)
What is slash-and-burn farming? A comparison
Our Impact | Slash and Burn Agriculture | EcoLogic Development Fund (Link)
The Inaugural Address – The White House (Link)
January 2025
(Mar-A-Lago Accord: N/A)
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