Demolition in process on the East Wing of the White House, Oct. 23, 2025. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin R. Grant Gilmore III, College of Charleston From ancient Egypt to Washington, D.C., rulers have long used architecture and associated stories to project power, control memory and shape national identity. As 17th-century French statesman … [Read more...] about Demolishing the White House East Wing to build a ballroom embodies Trump’s heritage politics
NYT front page features Iowa farmer, not Americans who are slated to lose SNAP benefits
Farmers represent 1-in-100 Americans; 1-in-8 Americans receive SNAP benefits The week that US SNAP benefits are balancing on a cliff face, the New York Times chose to highlight the Trump Administration impact on Iowa farmers. Farmers represent about 1.3% of the US population. SNAP beneficiaries: 12.3%, including 1.2 million veterans. One in eight rural … [Read more...] about NYT front page features Iowa farmer, not Americans who are slated to lose SNAP benefits
“There’s something Soviet” … about the demolition of the East Wing
"There’s something Soviet about the notion of a building that is so historic, so singularly important, that no preservation effort could save it," Kriston Capps writes in Bloomberg Sunday. And with that statement, halfway through an analysis of how Donald Trump demolished the East Wing of the White House this week, Bloomberg said the quiet part outloud. There’s … [Read more...] about “There’s something Soviet” … about the demolition of the East Wing
Trump alleges anonymous, private, illegal drop-in-the-bucket donation for troop pay
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a "friend" was donating $130,000,000 towards military pay during the shutdown. CNN and others reported Friday that the Pentagon had agreed to accept the "donation." According to Bloomberg, however, "federal law generally forbids individuals from making earmarked gifts to the government." The stunt -- Trump is a … [Read more...] about Trump alleges anonymous, private, illegal drop-in-the-bucket donation for troop pay
UN health chief’s disturbing facts about Gaza
Gaza's health factsheet is shocking. World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that more than 170 000 people have injuries in Gaza, including more than 5000 amputees and 3600 people with major burns. At least 42 000 people have injuries that require long-term rehabilitation. “There are still 15 000 patients who need treatment outside Gaza, … [Read more...] about UN health chief’s disturbing facts about Gaza
Poll: Americans not happy Trump has bulldozed the White House. Also, here’s the donor list. And news about the bunker.
According to a YouGov poll released Wednesday, only one-in-four Americans approve of the East Wing demolition. Republicans don't like it either: 55% do not approve. And it's not just because he's created a canker sore where last week there was history and beauty. Perhaps it's because he doesn't care and treats our property as though it were his. This is not the first … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans not happy Trump has bulldozed the White House. Also, here’s the donor list. And news about the bunker.
The East Wing debacle, a gaudy ballroom and more Trump lies
Imagine for a moment that you live rent-free in a historic home. You decide you want to double the size of the main residence and begin demolition without getting approval of the owner or applying for requisite permits. What do you think would happen? I think you'd go to jail or be sued into oblivion. Or both. That's what's happened to the White House this week. The … [Read more...] about The East Wing debacle, a gaudy ballroom and more Trump lies
The Private Presidency
The Trump Presidency is different than any previous presidential administrations, particularly his second occupation of the White House. Instead of considering what is best for the nation in both foreign and domestic policies, the main driver of his orders and behavior is doing what is best for Trump, his family and friends. This may not be true in every instance, but is … [Read more...] about The Private Presidency
One key element was missing from the massive ‘No King’ rallies
To the surprise of absolutely nobody – except perhaps the MAGA cultists who bought the nonsense about impending “antifa” “Marxist” “terrorist” violence – the patriots who marched on Saturday numbered in the multi millions and did so in peace, in red states as well as blue, in cities like Boise, Idaho as well as my own Philadelphia. If this grassroots movement is to have any … [Read more...] about One key element was missing from the massive ‘No King’ rallies
REPUBLICAN SCARE TACTICS
10 effective things citizens can do to make change in addition to attending a protest
A crowd gathered for a “No Kings” protest on October 18, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. Hasan Akbas/Anadolu via Getty Images Shelley Inglis, Rutgers University What happens now? That may well be the question being asked by “No Kings” protesters, who marched, rallied and danced all over the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Pro-democracy … [Read more...] about 10 effective things citizens can do to make change in addition to attending a protest
Elderly Enemies of America and the No Kings March (Satire)
“We refer to it by its more accurate description, the ‘hate America’ rally. They’re going to bring together the Marxists, the socialists, the Antifa advocates, the anarchists, and the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat party.” –– Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — I joined residents from my retirement community in a No Kings March. Little did they … [Read more...] about Elderly Enemies of America and the No Kings March (Satire)
TRUMP SHATTERS ANOTHER NORM: POSTS FAKE VIDEO SHOWING HIM DUMPING FECES ON PROTESTERS
When history is written -- if in the future honest history is written -- Donald Trump will go down as having done many negative things to American politics. But, above all, he'll go down as a president who shattered norms, relentlessly worked to polarize and who contributed to the vulgarization of American politics. The latest episode in Trump's lastest race to the political … [Read more...] about TRUMP SHATTERS ANOTHER NORM: POSTS FAKE VIDEO SHOWING HIM DUMPING FECES ON PROTESTERS
Comments against voting rights restrictions due Oct. 20
The movement to restrict voting access, this time led by Stephen Miller, has petitioned the Election Assistance Commission to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote by mail. As many have noted over the years, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote. Thus White House aide Miller is proposing a "solution" to a non-existent problem. From NPR last … [Read more...] about Comments against voting rights restrictions due Oct. 20
YOUNG REPUBLICAN ELEPHANT WITH HITLER FACE
Banning abortion is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes
Abortion rights protesters march against Trump’s deployment of federal troops to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 2, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/AP Seda Saluk, University of Michigan Pregnant women crossing borders to get an abortion. People who miscarry facing jail time or dying from infection. Doctors who won’t perform lifesaving procedures on a … [Read more...] about Banning abortion is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes
DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE updated
Donations received as of 10/15/25: $290 The Moderate Voice hasn't done a fundraiser in quite a while -- and now is the time. TMV is one of a small number of traditional news-political blogs that remains in a social media-powered era. Its posts appear on a phone news app and also on Google News. Over the years, it won various awards and some well-known print and broadcast … [Read more...] about DONATE TO THE MODERATE VOICE updated
Why Argentina? Bessent teases another $20,000,000,000 bailout
The Argentine mid-term elections are in 11 days, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is teasing the possibility of doubling US investment in a country marked with "financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites (CIA)." Bessent called this a "private-sector" endeavor, one he has been working on for "weeks." The aid is aimed … [Read more...] about Why Argentina? Bessent teases another $20,000,000,000 bailout
‘The Battle Within’ Offers Hope for Veterans and First Responders
(September was Suicide Prevention Month. October 28 will be National First Responders Day and, of course, November 11 is Veterans Day. This article is dedicated to honoring the Service, dedication, and sacrifices of these brave men and women.) Throughout history, fighting men and women have lived with the terrible physical and mental scars of war. However, it was not … [Read more...] about ‘The Battle Within’ Offers Hope for Veterans and First Responders
Trump’s Bondage to Big Oil and Business
Maybe Trump feels he’s not making enough money for himself and his family from the presidency, though its doesn’t seem that way to me. Why is he doing things to screw the American public, particularly the lower and middle classes? Between crypto and all the “gifts” he’s received from tech titans, Middle East royalty, and others asking for favors or trying to get on his good … [Read more...] about Trump’s Bondage to Big Oil and Business