Michael Fletcher
@mefletcher54.bsky.social
Retired Intelligence Analyst. Cold War era US Army Vet. Fairly familiar with System Dynamics and History. Personal eccentricities: Scadian KSCA, USCF NM&LM. Details and periodic commentary at http://mefletcher.blogspot.com/
Pinned
"If you knock over the anthill, it is naive to believe that the ants will rebuild it to your specifications."
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
It's difficult to imagine a scenario worse than the Trump Administration making things up as they go along.
George W. Bush winged it in Iraq after the invasion. The State Dept. spent months coming up with plans on how to govern following the US attack. The White House and DoD ignored them. And there’s no way Trump admin. devoted months-or weeks-to preparing for an occupation of Venezuela.
"My strong assumption is that they now seem to be totally winging it," writes @joshtpm.bsky.social about Trump's assertion that the U.S. will now "run" Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM
It's difficult to imagine a scenario worse than the Trump Administration making things up as they go along.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
January 3, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Blows my mind that some of the same journalists who see Trump as a want-to-be dictator at home are earnestly discussing the "challenges" for this same man to "bring democracy" to a country it just illegal invaded. Please grow up.
January 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Blows my mind that some of the same journalists who see Trump as a want-to-be dictator at home are earnestly discussing the "challenges" for this same man to "bring democracy" to a country it just illegal invaded. Please grow up.
Just one historical example:
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
It's an old and obvious pattern. An unpopular president - failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at home - decides to launch a war for regime change abroad.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
The American people don’t want to “run” a foreign country while our leaders fail to improve life in this one.
January 3, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Just one historical example:
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
The Falkland War was a result of the unpopular Argentinian Junta making the fateful decision to undertake a military adventure to take the islands. They suffered a humiliating defeat, which contributed to their ouster 18 months later.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
The House Armed Services Committee also was not briefed, I've confirmed.
News: Gang of Eight in Congress were only notified about Trump's Venezuela operation after it began, source familiar tells me. That means the heads of the Intelligence Committees in Senate and House were *not* consulted. Just crazy.
January 3, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The House Armed Services Committee also was not briefed, I've confirmed.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
The president unilaterally decided to attack a sovereign nation and kidnap its leader, and now he says he's just going to run that county himself for a while too.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Trump on Venezuela: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition"
January 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
The president unilaterally decided to attack a sovereign nation and kidnap its leader, and now he says he's just going to run that county himself for a while too.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Call your representatives now and demand they impeach him.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Trump voters have turned the most powerful country in the world - the longtime leader of the democratic West - into a violent rogue state.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
January 3, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Trump voters have turned the most powerful country in the world - the longtime leader of the democratic West - into a violent rogue state.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
I’ve long maintained that it was a mistake for Congress to have abolished itself.
January 3, 2026 at 10:57 AM
I’ve long maintained that it was a mistake for Congress to have abolished itself.
Seems odd?
My helpful explanation.
When the pronouncements and actions of the Trump Administration make no sense, it's because they are bullshit based on lies. It's that simple.
My helpful explanation.
When the pronouncements and actions of the Trump Administration make no sense, it's because they are bullshit based on lies. It's that simple.
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Seems odd?
My helpful explanation.
When the pronouncements and actions of the Trump Administration make no sense, it's because they are bullshit based on lies. It's that simple.
My helpful explanation.
When the pronouncements and actions of the Trump Administration make no sense, it's because they are bullshit based on lies. It's that simple.
What he said.
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
January 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
What he said.
We are constantly overwhelmed by bad news, but we can still celebrate the good things that happen. Basic humanity and kindness are still happening.
Congratulations to the Hernandez family!
www.thecoastlandtimes.com/news/special...
Congratulations to the Hernandez family!
www.thecoastlandtimes.com/news/special...
Special delivery: Kill Devil Hills family welcomes first baby born on ...
Outer Banks Health has announced the first baby born in its Nags Head hospital in 2026.
www.thecoastlandtimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:50 AM
We are constantly overwhelmed by bad news, but we can still celebrate the good things that happen. Basic humanity and kindness are still happening.
Congratulations to the Hernandez family!
www.thecoastlandtimes.com/news/special...
Congratulations to the Hernandez family!
www.thecoastlandtimes.com/news/special...
Trump is waging an unjustified war of aggression just like his idol, Putin, did in Ukraine. The main difference is that Trump did it with a competent military. /1
January 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Trump is waging an unjustified war of aggression just like his idol, Putin, did in Ukraine. The main difference is that Trump did it with a competent military. /1
"If you knock over the anthill, it is naive to believe that the ants will rebuild it to your specifications."
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
January 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
"If you knock over the anthill, it is naive to believe that the ants will rebuild it to your specifications."
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
A quote from yours truly made before Bush and Cheney's Iraq War fiasco.
That war's justification was an elaborate fabrication.
Trump barely bothered to in this one.
For-profit healthcare doesn't work.
Do I really need to explain why once again?
Do I really need to explain why once again?
Number of people who go bankrupt every year because of medical bills or illness-related work loss:
🇦🇺 0
🇨🇦 0
🇩🇰 0
🇫🇮 0
🇫🇷 0
🇩🇪 0
🇮🇸 0
🇮🇪 0
🇮🇹 0
🇯🇵 0
🇳🇱 0
🇳🇴 0
🇵🇹 0
🇪🇸 0
🇸🇪 0
🇬🇧 0
🇺🇸 530,000
There’s a lesson there.
🇦🇺 0
🇨🇦 0
🇩🇰 0
🇫🇮 0
🇫🇷 0
🇩🇪 0
🇮🇸 0
🇮🇪 0
🇮🇹 0
🇯🇵 0
🇳🇱 0
🇳🇴 0
🇵🇹 0
🇪🇸 0
🇸🇪 0
🇬🇧 0
🇺🇸 530,000
There’s a lesson there.
January 2, 2026 at 12:17 PM
For-profit healthcare doesn't work.
Do I really need to explain why once again?
Do I really need to explain why once again?
One of the top leverage points to address US social, economic and political instability would be an annual wealth tax. The policy goal would be to draw down excessive individual wealth to lower the Gini Coefficient into the safer zone. /1
Tax the Rich, Say Mamdani, Sanders, and NYC Inauguration Crowd www.commondreams.org/news/zohran-...
Mamdani and Sanders scare the hell out of the morbidly wealthy leeches that plague our society
Mamdani and Sanders scare the hell out of the morbidly wealthy leeches that plague our society
Tax the Rich, Say Mamdani, Sanders, and NYC Inauguration Crowd | Common Dreams
Sen. Bernie Sanders swore in New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and they both delivered remarks that matched chants from the crowd: Tax the rich.
www.commondreams.org
January 2, 2026 at 11:55 AM
One of the top leverage points to address US social, economic and political instability would be an annual wealth tax. The policy goal would be to draw down excessive individual wealth to lower the Gini Coefficient into the safer zone. /1
They called it the T800? Seriously?
So what is the real risk here?
It it saying, "I'll be back and then accidentally kick my patrol partner in the balls?"😎
interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/...
So what is the real risk here?
It it saying, "I'll be back and then accidentally kick my patrol partner in the balls?"😎
interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/...
Humanoid ‘Terminator’ robot cop patrols with police officers in China
A humanoid robot walks alongside uniformed police officers during what appeared to be a public patrol in China.
interestingengineering.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:18 AM
They called it the T800? Seriously?
So what is the real risk here?
It it saying, "I'll be back and then accidentally kick my patrol partner in the balls?"😎
interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/...
So what is the real risk here?
It it saying, "I'll be back and then accidentally kick my patrol partner in the balls?"😎
interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/...
Dictator Heath Watch and Death Forecasting is a time honored activity of pundits.
Power often functions as a Fountain of Youth It strongly motivates them to cling to life. Also, dictators usually have access to the best healthcare the world has to offer.
Sadly, they often just keep hanging on.
Power often functions as a Fountain of Youth It strongly motivates them to cling to life. Also, dictators usually have access to the best healthcare the world has to offer.
Sadly, they often just keep hanging on.
Some health experts are saying that *it* could happen in the March to May timeframe. I hope it's the Ides of March, so I can say "Et tu, Tupée."
January 2, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Dictator Heath Watch and Death Forecasting is a time honored activity of pundits.
Power often functions as a Fountain of Youth It strongly motivates them to cling to life. Also, dictators usually have access to the best healthcare the world has to offer.
Sadly, they often just keep hanging on.
Power often functions as a Fountain of Youth It strongly motivates them to cling to life. Also, dictators usually have access to the best healthcare the world has to offer.
Sadly, they often just keep hanging on.
The New York Doom Prognosticators and Performative Flee the Urban Apocalypse types amuse me.
London has had Muslim mayor since 2016, and last I checked it seems to be doing just fine.
/1
London has had Muslim mayor since 2016, and last I checked it seems to be doing just fine.
/1
January 2, 2026 at 10:25 AM
The New York Doom Prognosticators and Performative Flee the Urban Apocalypse types amuse me.
London has had Muslim mayor since 2016, and last I checked it seems to be doing just fine.
/1
London has had Muslim mayor since 2016, and last I checked it seems to be doing just fine.
/1
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Personally, I think it is distasteful, and condescending when candidates pander to the voters in such a manner.
The Framers intended government to be secular. Voters should consider religious affiliation largely irrelevant. /1
The Framers intended government to be secular. Voters should consider religious affiliation largely irrelevant. /1
I’m an Atheist, so my voting choices are between someone who says their priorities are “God, Family, Country” vs those who choose “God, Country, Family.” In every election every candidates profess their love for America (a country that’s founding principles are to make no laws about religion.)
January 1, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Personally, I think it is distasteful, and condescending when candidates pander to the voters in such a manner.
The Framers intended government to be secular. Voters should consider religious affiliation largely irrelevant. /1
The Framers intended government to be secular. Voters should consider religious affiliation largely irrelevant. /1
It saddens me that so many people are afraid of America's diversity, even thought it, along with openess to immigration, have arguably always been among America's greatest strengths.
“Can’t believe NYC elected a Muslim as mayor.”
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.
January 1, 2026 at 1:50 PM
It saddens me that so many people are afraid of America's diversity, even thought it, along with openess to immigration, have arguably always been among America's greatest strengths.
Respect.
Holy fuck! Showing ZERO fear of retribution from a vengeance-obsessed TRAITOR who attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election, usurp the constitution, and overthrow the U.S. government, Jack Smith, with ZERO fucks left to give is what a badass American hero looks like.
January 1, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Respect.
Yes, the current President committed serious crimes, led an insurrection, and violated the Espionage Act. There is no need to worry. (Except that little sliding into a dictatorship part.)
America, keep doing whatever it is you are doing.
There is nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
America, keep doing whatever it is you are doing.
There is nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
Jack Smith testifying seems like a peek into an alternate reality where there’s still serious adults in government.
January 1, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Yes, the current President committed serious crimes, led an insurrection, and violated the Espionage Act. There is no need to worry. (Except that little sliding into a dictatorship part.)
America, keep doing whatever it is you are doing.
There is nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
America, keep doing whatever it is you are doing.
There is nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
We should name this policy goal the Miller Doctrine .
The Miller Doctrine = A 100% White America.
The Miller Doctrine = A 100% White America.
I wish I could say I did Nazi that coming.
DHS now says it's aiming for 100 million deportations. In an amazing coincidence, there are 104 million Black and Hispanic people living in the U.S. right now.
January 1, 2026 at 9:02 AM
We should name this policy goal the Miller Doctrine .
The Miller Doctrine = A 100% White America.
The Miller Doctrine = A 100% White America.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Jack Smith's full deposition before the House Judiciary Committee:
Jack Smith Deposition
YouTube video by House Judiciary GOP
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Jack Smith's full deposition before the House Judiciary Committee: