For decades I voted the party line. There was only one box I shaded in, and it was the one that said “Republican.” After a while, I started to actually think about who I was voting for, not just what. I began making independent decisions — something most of us never do. But I’ll admit, on the issues I wasn’t up on, I still voted the party.

This little note about Charlton Heston — one of the actors I admired — makes sense to me. Not because he changed from being a Democrat to a Republican, but because of why he changed:

For decades I voted the party line. There was only one box I shaded in, and it was the one that said “Republican.” After a while, I started to actually think about who I was voting for, not just what. I began making independent decisions — something most of us never do. But I’ll admit, on the issues I wasn’t up on, I still voted the party.

This little note about Charlton Heston — one of the actors I admired — makes sense to me. Not because he changed from being a Democrat to a Republican, but because of why he changed:

When Trump or any politician calls out the National Guard, the burden isn’t abstract — it hits individual soldiers, their families, local communities, and taxpayers. The part-time nature of the Guard amplifies these costs because they are not career combat troops; they are civilians asked to drop everything for politically motivated missions.

Trump isn’t just lighting political fires — he’s keeping them burning long enough to distract us from the real game. From DOJ slow-walks to federalizing D.C., from the Epstein fallout to filling Washington with loyalists, every move buys him time and space to push his agenda. The real danger isn’t any single scandal. It’s the endgame — and whether we’re ready to fill the vacuum when the smoke clears.

Donald Trump’s recent threats to impose martial law have sent chills through the nation. But behind the bluster and fear-mongering lies a disturbingly clear political agenda: targeting cities that dare to resist his authority while ignoring those that align with it — no matter their crime rates.

Take a look at the cities Trump has publicly set his sights on: Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle. These are places branded as “woke,” fiercely protective of immigrant rights, and openly hostile to the kind of mass deportations and ICE raids Trump champions. For him, these cities aren’t just trouble spots — they are the heart of an “Evil Empire” that must be brought to heel.

Now that many of Trump’s actions are playing out in ways that damage democratic norms or reveal disregard for the rule of law, some voters are facing cognitive dissonance: “I didn’t vote for this.” But in many cases—they did. He telegraphed much of it.

Here is the line, no wait, (feet scrub out line) Here is the line, rinse and repeat. I will strive to keep it short and sweet, here is the outline for Trumps Crime Fighting mantle. Of course it could all be be summed up with a simple "I don't care about crime, I only care about obedience and loyalty"

Here is the line, no wait, (feet scrub out line) Here is the line, rinse and repeat. I will strive to keep it short and sweet, here is the outline for Trumps Crime Fighting mantle. Of course it could all be be summed up with a simple "I don't care about crime, I only care about obedience and loyalty"

Donald Trump’s recent threats to impose martial law have sent chills through the nation. But behind the bluster and fear-mongering lies a disturbingly clear political agenda: targeting cities that dare to resist his authority while ignoring those that align with it — no matter their crime rates.

Take a look at the cities Trump has publicly set his sights on: Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle. These are places branded as “woke,” fiercely protective of immigrant rights, and openly hostile to the kind of mass deportations and ICE raids Trump champions. For him, these cities aren’t just trouble spots — they are the heart of an “Evil Empire” that must be brought to heel.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine wasn’t provoked by NATO expansion or western meddling — it was fueled by a belief that smaller, weaker neighbors don’t deserve true independence. That belief has no place in a modern world. If left unchecked, it sends a dangerous message to other authoritarian regimes: you can crush your neighbor, massacre civilians, and still be tolerated on the world stage.