politicians
Reviews of the politicians kissing babies and running governments around the world; applaud and criticize the decisions they make and their implications.
THE FREE PRESS. Content Warning.
The $35 Sentence: How Predatory Hospice Schemes Silence Seniors By Vicki Lawana Trusselli For years, I worked in the film and music industries in LA and Austin—I know a script when I see one. But the script being handed to seniors in Riverside and other cities today is not just fiction; it is federal fraud.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 3 days ago in The Swamp
Mamdani Chooses His Words Carefully After Alleged Terror Attack. AI-Generated.
In the tense hours following an alleged terror attack, public figures often find themselves under intense scrutiny. Every word spoken carries weight, and even a small misstatement can fuel controversy or misunderstanding. In the wake of the recent incident, political figure Mamdani has taken a notably cautious approach, choosing his words carefully while addressing the public, the media, and concerned communities.
By Jameel Jamali3 days ago in The Swamp
Reducing Europe’s Nuclear Energy Sector Was a “Strategic Mistake,” EU Chief Says. AI-Generated.
Europe’s energy policy has long been shaped by debates over sustainability, safety, and energy independence. In recent years, those debates have intensified as global energy demands rise and geopolitical tensions disrupt traditional energy supplies. Now, a major voice within the European leadership has publicly acknowledged what many analysts have argued for years: reducing the continent’s nuclear energy sector may have been a strategic mistake.
By Jameel Jamali3 days ago in The Swamp
Shots Fired at U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Police Say. AI-Generated.
Early Tuesday morning, authorities in Canada launched an investigation after gunfire was reported at the United States Consulate in downtown Toronto. The incident, which occurred before sunrise, has drawn international attention and prompted heightened security around diplomatic buildings across the country. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but officials say the event is being treated as a serious national security matter.
By Jameel Jamali3 days ago in The Swamp
Let's Play A Game
Playing Politics The other day, while bored, I started playing around with ChatGPT. It’s fun, and there are things that people can use it to have a little fun with, and to help with projects. I wanted to see what I’d look like sitting at the resolute desk in the Oval Office.
By Jason Ray Morton 4 days ago in The Swamp
Iranian Soccer Team Exits Women’s Asian Cup and Faces Tricky Prospect of Return Home. AI-Generated.
The Iranian women’s national football team’s campaign at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup came to a somber end on Sunday with a 2–0 defeat to the Philippines on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, condemning them to an early exit from the tournament. The loss, following earlier defeats to South Korea and Australia, leaves the squad reflecting not only on their performance on the pitch but also on the profound uncertainty that awaits them as they prepare for the journey back to their homeland — where political tensions, war and allegations of persecution now loom large. The team had arrived in Australia last month ahead of the tournament, mere days before a significant escalation of conflict in the region triggered by U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28. That conflict has only heightened anxieties about what players — especially those visible on the international stage — might face on their return. Silence, Anthem Controversy, and the Backlash Iran’s campaign became politically charged from the outset. Before their opening match against South Korea, the team stood in silence during the national anthem, a gesture interpreted by many international commentators and human rights activists as a possible act of protest, mourning, or dissent given the wartime backdrop. That moment reverberated back home: Iranian state media branded the players “wartime traitors”, a designation with serious implications in a legal system where charges of treason can carry grave penalties. In subsequent matches — including the final group game against the Philippines — the players did sing and salute the anthem. But the damage in the eyes of state media and hardline commentators had already been done, and the controversy continued to cast a long shadow. Protesters, Petitions, and Concerns on the Gold Coast As the Iranian squad prepared to depart Australia following their exit from the tournament, dramatic scenes unfolded outside Gold Coast Stadium. Supporters and activists surrounded the team bus, chanting slogans such as “let them go” and “save our girls,” and briefly impeding its movement. Police intervened to disperse crowds of up to around 200 people in what was described as chaotic scenes. Locally based Iranian community organisations and human rights advocates have called on Australian authorities to ensure the team’s safety and to provide the players with the opportunity to seek protection if they fear persecution when returning home. One widely circulated online petition, supported by tens of thousands of people, urges Australian officials to guarantee independent legal counsel, interpreter support, and safe, private interviews for any player who expresses fear about going back to Iran. Government Response and Asylum Debate The emotional and political complexities of the situation have prompted responses at the highest levels of Australia’s government. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed public solidarity with the Iranian players and acknowledged the broader oppression faced by women in Iran, but stopped short of detailing any specific protection plans or whether government officials had communicated directly with the players. Advocates for the team argue that Iran’s current wartime environment — and the punitive rhetoric broadcast by state-controlled media — create credible risks of persecution, imprisonment, or worse for players labelled “disloyal” upon their return. Several former athletes and civil society groups have called on football’s governing bodies, including FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), to intervene and uphold their obligations to protect athletes’ safety during and after competition. Some Australian lawmakers — including opposition figures — have gone further by urging the government to offer temporary protection or even asylum to team members, arguing that humanitarian commitments should take precedence in such an extraordinary case. Yet officials have reiterated that any such actions would need to adhere to standard immigration and visa processes unless players themselves formally request protection. The Road Ahead: Homecoming in Limbo For the players themselves, emotions are mixed. Iran’s coach Marziyeh Jafari has publicly stated that the squad wants to return home and be reunited with family and compatriots, emphasizing their eagerness to go back despite the tumultuous backdrop. Others within the team have voiced concern for their loved ones still in Iran, where widespread social unrest and wartime tensions persist. As arrangements for their departure from Australia are finalised, many questions remain unanswered: Will they return to a warm welcome, or face suspicion and reprisals? Does international sport carry a responsibility to protect athletes beyond the pitch? And what does this saga mean for the future of women’s sport in Iran amid a deeply polarized political climate? The answers — and the fate of these players — are still very much to be determined.
By Fiaz Ahmed 5 days ago in The Swamp
Former President Obama will welcome former President Bush, not Trump to Obama Presidential Center ceremonies, per report
The shade is real. In what looks like a master troll operation, former president Barack Obama has shunned President Trump from taking part in the unveiling of the Obama Presidential Center in Washington, DC.
By Skyler Saunders6 days ago in The Swamp
Judge Rules Kari Lake Unlawfully Ran U.S. Media Agency, Voiding Layoffs. AI-Generated.
A federal judge has ruled that former Arizona political candidate Kari Lake unlawfully exercised authority over a U.S. government-funded media agency, a decision that has nullified a series of layoffs and triggered renewed debate about leadership and governance in publicly funded international broadcasting.
By Jameel Jamali6 days ago in The Swamp
Trump Assembles a New Coalition to ‘Eradicate’ Cartels. AI-Generated.
In the evolving landscape of American politics and national security, former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again ignited debate with a bold proposal: forming a new coalition aimed at “eradicating” powerful drug cartels operating across the Americas. The initiative, framed as a comprehensive strategy to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, has stirred support among allies and raised significant questions among critics about its feasibility, legality, and long-term implications.
By Jameel Jamali6 days ago in The Swamp
Doing the Wash
Congress. An entity of our government that is supposed to be working for us, is just a money laundering criminal endeavor. If you aren't paying attention to what our government does, then you are part of the problem.Money laundering is a crime, and we are funding it.
By Alexandra Grant6 days ago in The Swamp
