been thinking of this quote since soon after he arrived on the scene. someone else did as well making it available for you since they reminded me. i've been a mencken fan for too many years to count;

 

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken, On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe......

.https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/27042-as-democracy-is-perfected-the-office-of-president-represents-more

 larry johnson is giving us war news and thoughts here; 

 

The image topping this piece is a reminder that the wars in Ukraine and Iran are not necessarily separate conflicts. The US remains at the center of both and there is the potential for spillover. Ukraine’s drone attack on the Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea on Saturday, in my view, was a desperate attempt by Zelensky to pander to Donald Trump and show his willingness to sacrifice more Ukrainians in a war that has nothing whatsoever to do with Ukraine. As you can read in the captioned image above, Iran reportedly is gearing up to hit Ukraine with a missile or two. My guess, if it happens, is that Iran will go after targets in Odesa.

Meanwhile, we are getting some hints that Pakistan and Qatar are working to revive the now defunct MoU. The latest news from Interfax is a clue:

Benjamin Netanyahu has informed his cabinet ministers that the United States is insisting on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syria, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip,according to Channel 13, citing a well-informed source.

According to the television channel’s source, Washington is interested in the Israel Defense Forces carrying out a “series of withdrawals” on three fronts, but does not specify whether this refers to a complete or partial withdrawal of troops...........more.............

 opps. looks like the amazing president bigly was wrong;

 

 july 26th, 2026

Via: New York Post:

An oil tanker blew up in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting a mine on Sunday, according to Iran’s military-linked state media, which also claimed that the Islamic Republic had intercepted at least six ships in the past 24 hours.

The tanker, which was not immediately identified, allegedly strayed from Iran’s designated route in the strait before hitting a sea mine, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran has repeatedly warned ships from using non-approved routes to sail through the Strait of Hormuz or risk coming under attack as tensions continue to flare with the US.

Despite repeated threats from the Trump administration, the regime continues to claim control over the critical oil chokepoint, with the IRGC claiming it halted six ships from crossing the strait overnight.............https://www.cryptogon.com/?p=75599

 cop assaults the wrong lawyer who sues and wins. cops get fired. twelve minutes;

watch........... 

 anton daniels and a black woman speak of black street culture. eleven minutes;

watch.......... 

 the not so secret society running britain. nine minutes;

watch.......... 

 a new election poll for two minutes;

watch...........