J Priestley II, Poet
@lsthomelyhouse.bsky.social
Catholic, Lay Dominican, 24-year U.S. Navy veteran, poet, cook, tai chi student, avid gardener. Holds Master’s degree in English literature from Marshall University.
The goal must be to shut down International Commerce. I can think of no other reason that it now requires duplicate documentation to FDA to clear a personal shipment of tea from Japan. Not only do they get tariff money, they make the Government bureaucracy even more inefficient.
February 9, 2026 at 3:37 PM
The goal must be to shut down International Commerce. I can think of no other reason that it now requires duplicate documentation to FDA to clear a personal shipment of tea from Japan. Not only do they get tariff money, they make the Government bureaucracy even more inefficient.
In November 2025, it was clear that Trump was creating incidents to justify troops. Today, it is even more clear that the pretext of illegal immigrants/civil unrest is and will be used to justify even more sweeping deployment of troops. Wait and see: suspension of midterm elections is the goal.
January 25, 2026 at 10:55 PM
In November 2025, it was clear that Trump was creating incidents to justify troops. Today, it is even more clear that the pretext of illegal immigrants/civil unrest is and will be used to justify even more sweeping deployment of troops. Wait and see: suspension of midterm elections is the goal.
Two deaths in Minneapolis and the responsible Administration officials, instead of ordering serious investigations, seem content to blame the victims. I can only conclude that the training and orders of ICE and other personnel are highly suspect. This volatile situation can only deteriorate.
January 25, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Two deaths in Minneapolis and the responsible Administration officials, instead of ordering serious investigations, seem content to blame the victims. I can only conclude that the training and orders of ICE and other personnel are highly suspect. This volatile situation can only deteriorate.
On January 6, 2020 I witnessed the deadly debacle at the Capitol. I am not here to pontificate. One of the first explanations was that it was the result of Antifa. These days, masked agents brutalize, and kill, make me wonder: does ICE recruit Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and such?
January 24, 2026 at 1:57 AM
On January 6, 2020 I witnessed the deadly debacle at the Capitol. I am not here to pontificate. One of the first explanations was that it was the result of Antifa. These days, masked agents brutalize, and kill, make me wonder: does ICE recruit Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and such?
Is it time to circulate a petition to deport Trump back to Kallstadt?
January 23, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Is it time to circulate a petition to deport Trump back to Kallstadt?
To make an analogy from the natural world, Republican senators and congressmen have proven themselves the drones in the hive.
January 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM
To make an analogy from the natural world, Republican senators and congressmen have proven themselves the drones in the hive.
Pondering current events, a few things become clear: 1) respect for truth is at an all-time low; 2) many officials think that their job gives them unfettered freedom to do whatever they want; 3) senators and congressmen, instead of doing people’s business, are merely busybodies. They cannot hide.
January 23, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Pondering current events, a few things become clear: 1) respect for truth is at an all-time low; 2) many officials think that their job gives them unfettered freedom to do whatever they want; 3) senators and congressmen, instead of doing people’s business, are merely busybodies. They cannot hide.
Common Traits of the Worst Kings:
Self-indulgence: Many put personal pleasure above national welfare.
Incompetence: Poor political decisions weakened kingdoms.
Cruelty: Abuse of power led to suffering and unrest.
Neglect: Some simply ignored governance, letting corruption thrive.
Self-indulgence: Many put personal pleasure above national welfare.
Incompetence: Poor political decisions weakened kingdoms.
Cruelty: Abuse of power led to suffering and unrest.
Neglect: Some simply ignored governance, letting corruption thrive.
January 19, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Common Traits of the Worst Kings:
Self-indulgence: Many put personal pleasure above national welfare.
Incompetence: Poor political decisions weakened kingdoms.
Cruelty: Abuse of power led to suffering and unrest.
Neglect: Some simply ignored governance, letting corruption thrive.
Self-indulgence: Many put personal pleasure above national welfare.
Incompetence: Poor political decisions weakened kingdoms.
Cruelty: Abuse of power led to suffering and unrest.
Neglect: Some simply ignored governance, letting corruption thrive.
Early in 2025, Trump and his minions steamrolled Government institutions to remake them for his personal use. It largely failed. In the second half of 2025, the goal shifted to gestapo-like tactics to deport people. It is a ploy to justify use of deadly force to maintain power. It will also fail.
January 17, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Early in 2025, Trump and his minions steamrolled Government institutions to remake them for his personal use. It largely failed. In the second half of 2025, the goal shifted to gestapo-like tactics to deport people. It is a ploy to justify use of deadly force to maintain power. It will also fail.
“Deal Maker” Trump has made ambiguous statements about the U.S./Mexico border wall. He claimed Mexico would pay for it. Deterrence value is largely psychological. The wall is far from completion - like immigration law reform. VP Vance projects 2029 completion. Piecemeal. Washington white elephant.
January 7, 2026 at 3:16 AM
“Deal Maker” Trump has made ambiguous statements about the U.S./Mexico border wall. He claimed Mexico would pay for it. Deterrence value is largely psychological. The wall is far from completion - like immigration law reform. VP Vance projects 2029 completion. Piecemeal. Washington white elephant.
February 24, 2021: Putin launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine. January 3, 2026: Trump captures and detains Maduro and wife. Pattern?
January 4, 2026 at 9:31 PM
February 24, 2021: Putin launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine. January 3, 2026: Trump captures and detains Maduro and wife. Pattern?
USAID programs have been transferred to the State Department in order to “reorient it toward national interests.” Another agency under the heavy thumb of the President.
December 29, 2025 at 11:26 PM
USAID programs have been transferred to the State Department in order to “reorient it toward national interests.” Another agency under the heavy thumb of the President.
Trump prizes his reputation in “the art of the deal.” Winning is not his only motivation. He seems to enjoy sticking it to others. Others losing to him reinforces his warped image of himself. He does not know, does not seem interested, in earning his livelihood. He must feel powerful at any cost.
December 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Trump prizes his reputation in “the art of the deal.” Winning is not his only motivation. He seems to enjoy sticking it to others. Others losing to him reinforces his warped image of himself. He does not know, does not seem interested, in earning his livelihood. He must feel powerful at any cost.
If this is what making America great again is about, I prefer a reasonable amount of progress under a more representative and honest government. Class warfare, racism, and pandering to the very rich is NOT my idea of the American Dream. The Administration and their lackeys will lose everything soon.
December 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM
If this is what making America great again is about, I prefer a reasonable amount of progress under a more representative and honest government. Class warfare, racism, and pandering to the very rich is NOT my idea of the American Dream. The Administration and their lackeys will lose everything soon.
Trump’s fan base, dwindling each day into a smaller cult core, is slowly coming to recognize that motto of his second term might be “What’s in it for me?” Dismissing reality of the negative tariff impacts and insisting the economy is the result of Biden will not serve him for much longer.
December 18, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Trump’s fan base, dwindling each day into a smaller cult core, is slowly coming to recognize that motto of his second term might be “What’s in it for me?” Dismissing reality of the negative tariff impacts and insisting the economy is the result of Biden will not serve him for much longer.
Before becoming the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth was a television personality and cohost of "Fox & Friends Weekend" from 2017 to 2024. He is manifestly unqualified to judge the legality of orders to military members, present or past. Luckily, his task is made easy: Trump will tell him what to do.
November 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Before becoming the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth was a television personality and cohost of "Fox & Friends Weekend" from 2017 to 2024. He is manifestly unqualified to judge the legality of orders to military members, present or past. Luckily, his task is made easy: Trump will tell him what to do.
President, in distinct opposition to our founding documents and historical precedent, is divisive instead of bringing us together. To be a follower, you are likely 1) white, 2) male, 3) blind loyalist. His primary strategy is claim emergency powers and delay or appeal any attempts to rein him in.
November 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
President, in distinct opposition to our founding documents and historical precedent, is divisive instead of bringing us together. To be a follower, you are likely 1) white, 2) male, 3) blind loyalist. His primary strategy is claim emergency powers and delay or appeal any attempts to rein him in.
Trump Administration to 41 Americans on SNAP: “Let them eat cake.”
November 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Trump Administration to 41 Americans on SNAP: “Let them eat cake.”
January 20 Trump declared emergency at southern border. April 5 he declared emergency due trade deficits. April 11 Trump declared emergency powers relating to national defense. In June he sent National Guard/Marines to Los Angeles for protests related to immigration enforcement. Midterm elections?
November 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
January 20 Trump declared emergency at southern border. April 5 he declared emergency due trade deficits. April 11 Trump declared emergency powers relating to national defense. In June he sent National Guard/Marines to Los Angeles for protests related to immigration enforcement. Midterm elections?
Cult characteristics: 1) Authoritarian control; 2) Extremist beliefs; 3) Isolation from society; and 4) Veneration of a single individual. Until recent times, this usually applied to fringe religious groups. As it was coined by the creator of Pogo in 1970, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Cult characteristics: 1) Authoritarian control; 2) Extremist beliefs; 3) Isolation from society; and 4) Veneration of a single individual. Until recent times, this usually applied to fringe religious groups. As it was coined by the creator of Pogo in 1970, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
It has been almost two months since the Putin-Trump “summit” in Alaska.
Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. This substantiates the view that it was little more than a photo op and diversion for Trump, who possesses little, if any, diplomatic skills.
Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. This substantiates the view that it was little more than a photo op and diversion for Trump, who possesses little, if any, diplomatic skills.
October 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
It has been almost two months since the Putin-Trump “summit” in Alaska.
Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. This substantiates the view that it was little more than a photo op and diversion for Trump, who possesses little, if any, diplomatic skills.
Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. This substantiates the view that it was little more than a photo op and diversion for Trump, who possesses little, if any, diplomatic skills.
Based on policy and thug-like tactics by federal agents, our President is not qualified to determine who is an American.
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Based on policy and thug-like tactics by federal agents, our President is not qualified to determine who is an American.
It appears that the first lesson a politician must master is passing the buck.
October 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It appears that the first lesson a politician must master is passing the buck.
Food prices and Inflation are high. Tariff costs are passing to the people. Trump is sending National Guard to cities under the ruse of lawlessness. Don’t be fooled. This is to normalize sending in troops during midterm elections if he doesn’t like the results.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
What is the status of the Trump administration’s tariffs?
It’s been a confusing ride. Here’s a timeline of what is happening and what tariffs are currently in place.
www.marketplace.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Food prices and Inflation are high. Tariff costs are passing to the people. Trump is sending National Guard to cities under the ruse of lawlessness. Don’t be fooled. This is to normalize sending in troops during midterm elections if he doesn’t like the results.
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
The quote "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the idea that a government should serve its citizens and be accountable to them. Still true!
October 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The quote "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the idea that a government should serve its citizens and be accountable to them. Still true!