R. Stephen Browning
@rstephenbrowning.bsky.social
Freelance Writer, Retired Senior Nonprofit Executive, Performing Arts Advocate, Thought Leader, Travel & Lifestyle, Progressive Provocateur.
He's threatened Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Greenland, so far, in the last 24 hours. America, we have a mad man at the helm of the ship, and it's listing badly (to the starboard, as expected).
BREAKING: MADMAN! Trump threatens Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum just hours after kidnapping Venezuela’s president in an illegal and unconstitutional attack!
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January 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
He's threatened Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Greenland, so far, in the last 24 hours. America, we have a mad man at the helm of the ship, and it's listing badly (to the starboard, as expected).
Maduro was a bad egg. No one is denying that fact. But this regime has shown no ability to govern the U.S. effectively, so who in their right mind believes they're going to be able to run Venezuela?
January 4, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Maduro was a bad egg. No one is denying that fact. But this regime has shown no ability to govern the U.S. effectively, so who in their right mind believes they're going to be able to run Venezuela?
I did much the same a few years ago. Sold everything I own (90%) and moved to Thailand (Chiang Mai). Then to Mexico (Ajijic). Loved the experiences. Grew a lot. Mistakes were made. Returned to U.S.
I booked a one-way ticket to Central America after a tragedy back home in the US. I made mistakes and learned tough lessons, but it was great.
I left the US to start over after a tragedy — and fumbled through 5 classic first-timer mistakes
I booked a one-way ticket to Central America after a tragedy back home in the US. I made mistakes and learned tough lessons, but it was great.
www.businessinsider.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
I did much the same a few years ago. Sold everything I own (90%) and moved to Thailand (Chiang Mai). Then to Mexico (Ajijic). Loved the experiences. Grew a lot. Mistakes were made. Returned to U.S.
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Ms. Machado had “gone out of her way to please [Trump], calling him a ‘champion of freedom,’ mimicking his talking points on election fraud in the United States and even dedicating her Peace Prize to him.
“It was in vain.”
@nytimes.com 🇻🇪
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/w...
“It was in vain.”
@nytimes.com 🇻🇪
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/w...
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Ms. Machado had “gone out of her way to please [Trump], calling him a ‘champion of freedom,’ mimicking his talking points on election fraud in the United States and even dedicating her Peace Prize to him.
“It was in vain.”
@nytimes.com 🇻🇪
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/w...
“It was in vain.”
@nytimes.com 🇻🇪
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/w...
There's a fine line here between delusions of grandeur and emboldened. He is destabilizing the world to repay his funders and enablers and to enrich himself and his extended family. He is not history's first demonic despots. But he may end up being one of the most terrifying.
After Trump’s illegal Venezuela coup, there are two dangers: he is emboldened, but has no clue what comes next | Rajan Menon
After Trump’s illegal Venezuela coup, there are two dangers: he is emboldened, but has no clue what comes next | Rajan Menon
He used largely fictitious charges to seize control, but can’t know how Venezuelans will react. He may also overstep now as regards Iran, warns Rajan Menon, a professor emeritus of international relations
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
There's a fine line here between delusions of grandeur and emboldened. He is destabilizing the world to repay his funders and enablers and to enrich himself and his extended family. He is not history's first demonic despots. But he may end up being one of the most terrifying.
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Since MAGA insists it was up to us to go get a dictator out of Venezuela, I’d like to know when Trump is going to stop praising Putin or Kim Jong-un and go get them. Or instead of signing Salvadoran prison contracts with Bukele, when are we getting him? Lukashenko? Orbán?
January 3, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Since MAGA insists it was up to us to go get a dictator out of Venezuela, I’d like to know when Trump is going to stop praising Putin or Kim Jong-un and go get them. Or instead of signing Salvadoran prison contracts with Bukele, when are we getting him? Lukashenko? Orbán?
American tourists were stuck all over the area I understand. Hopefully flights are getting out now
A mother describes how her family was stranded in Puerto Rico after flight cancellations following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
My family is stranded in Puerto Rico because our flights were canceled. It's having an impact on our finances.
A mother describes how her family was stranded in Puerto Rico after flight cancellations following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
www.businessinsider.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:42 PM
American tourists were stuck all over the area I understand. Hopefully flights are getting out now
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
fwiw it’s been about six weeks since Trump pardoned the former president of Honduras who had been convicted of trafficking drugs into the US
January 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM
fwiw it’s been about six weeks since Trump pardoned the former president of Honduras who had been convicted of trafficking drugs into the US
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Knowing the T***p regime's track record for orderly transitions of power, I'm sure everything will go smoothly in Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Knowing the T***p regime's track record for orderly transitions of power, I'm sure everything will go smoothly in Venezuela.
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Tesla sales fall to lowest point since 2022 after Elon Musk backlash
Tesla sales fall to lowest point since 2022
Vehicle sales are critical to funding CEO Elon Musk's AI ambitions.
www.axios.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Tesla sales fall to lowest point since 2022 after Elon Musk backlash
Someone wrote on another site that outdoor Christmas lights should be kept up until March, "to help brighten the neighborhood through the winter gloom". Is that a thing? I'm taking mine down tomorrow. I'll leave the porch light on to ward off the gloom....⛈️
January 2, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Someone wrote on another site that outdoor Christmas lights should be kept up until March, "to help brighten the neighborhood through the winter gloom". Is that a thing? I'm taking mine down tomorrow. I'll leave the porch light on to ward off the gloom....⛈️
I wouldn't call him a step up from anything. He's lying there face down in the gutter by ignoring the unimaginable malfeasance, corruption and incompetence of the current despot. Leadership was never his strong point.
Hundreds of thousands of dead people in Afghanistan and Iraq, Gen Z is struggling with reading comprehension, and we live in a surveillance state started by Bush, who also created ICE, but hey at least he’s not Donald Trump
Not a fan of Bush but he was a step up from what we got now.
January 2, 2026 at 3:16 AM
I wouldn't call him a step up from anything. He's lying there face down in the gutter by ignoring the unimaginable malfeasance, corruption and incompetence of the current despot. Leadership was never his strong point.
I follow a lot of news from around the world, in addition to our North American legit news sources. Unquestionably, we are seeing the slow but distinct deflation of the MAGA balloon in real time. It's losing its appeal among the base, and I'm here for it. It was all just fetid hot air after all.
January 2, 2026 at 2:09 AM
I follow a lot of news from around the world, in addition to our North American legit news sources. Unquestionably, we are seeing the slow but distinct deflation of the MAGA balloon in real time. It's losing its appeal among the base, and I'm here for it. It was all just fetid hot air after all.
I'll just continue to refer to them as the repugs.
Short for repugnants.
Short for repugnants.
"Lemming" the word is lemming.
"Spineless jellyfish sycophant traitor child molester booster" works in a pinch too!
I'm just saying...
"Spineless jellyfish sycophant traitor child molester booster" works in a pinch too!
I'm just saying...
January 2, 2026 at 1:56 AM
I'll just continue to refer to them as the repugs.
Short for repugnants.
Short for repugnants.
This guy is a YouTuber prankster who barely got out of high school a few years ago and is the worst of the breed of gaslighters. Who takes him seriously on anything?
Nick Shirley thinks that daycares are unlocked and have "reception" areas 😆 😭
January 1, 2026 at 6:44 PM
This guy is a YouTuber prankster who barely got out of high school a few years ago and is the worst of the breed of gaslighters. Who takes him seriously on anything?
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
“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 11:43 AM
“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.
The U.S. Congress should pass a law to stop taxing #SocialSecurity. Prior to Reagan's administration, it was not taxed. If they can reduce taxes on the ultra wealthy, they can certainly do something for our seniors living on fixed incomes.
January 1, 2026 at 3:51 PM
The U.S. Congress should pass a law to stop taxing #SocialSecurity. Prior to Reagan's administration, it was not taxed. If they can reduce taxes on the ultra wealthy, they can certainly do something for our seniors living on fixed incomes.
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Reposted by R. Stephen Browning
Republicans think releasing the Jack Smith deposition on New Year's Eve will make it get lost in the fray. Prove them wrong by spreading the word; here are some key takeaways to get us started. www.rawstory.com/jack-smith-2...
5 eye-popping claims Jack Smith made during his deposition with House GOP
House Republicans finally released on Wednesday the long-awaited transcript of former special counsel Jack Smith's deposition before the House Judiciary Committee. The 255-page document was released o...
www.rawstory.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Republicans think releasing the Jack Smith deposition on New Year's Eve will make it get lost in the fray. Prove them wrong by spreading the word; here are some key takeaways to get us started. www.rawstory.com/jack-smith-2...
Help me understand this photo. Is that Charlie Kirk surrounded by Jesus, Freddie Mercury and Jeffrey Epstein? I'm confused, obviously.
it's December 31, which means it's time for "this year in stupid: 2025 — part 3" — a three-part look back at an entire year’s worth of dumbfuckery.
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter so you never miss a post —
thanks for reading, and please sign up for my daily newsletter so you never miss a post —
this year in stupid: 2025 — part 3
a three-part look back at an entire year’s worth of dumbfuckery
bit.ly
December 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Help me understand this photo. Is that Charlie Kirk surrounded by Jesus, Freddie Mercury and Jeffrey Epstein? I'm confused, obviously.
This gal just encapsulates the entire MAGA base in one fell swoop. And that's not a compliment.
First new essay I published this year, "Bodies Will Swing," last Feb. Portrait of just one MAGA woman, looking forward to what had been promised by the campaign. *That* didn't happen. Countless bodies, though, were beaten, disappeared, killed by other means. slowcivilwar.substack.com/p/bodies-wil...
Bodies Will Swing
What one woman wanted of Trump's return. This was her dream. We're getting there.
slowcivilwar.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This gal just encapsulates the entire MAGA base in one fell swoop. And that's not a compliment.
It's never low enough for this guy. From a phrase used in college, "He's lower than whale s**t, and that's at the bottom of the ocean."
www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscom...
www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscom...
Trump Reposted A Bunch Of Mean Posts About The Kennedy Family After JFK's Granddaughter Died
"He is trash."
www.buzzfeed.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It's never low enough for this guy. From a phrase used in college, "He's lower than whale s**t, and that's at the bottom of the ocean."
www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscom...
www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscom...
Gas prices have hit their lowest amount in four years (Feb. 2021). You know, when Biden was POTUS.
December 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Gas prices have hit their lowest amount in four years (Feb. 2021). You know, when Biden was POTUS.